₦110.4bn Fraud Trial: EFCC Witness Traces Company Inflows To Kogi LG Accounts - Newstrends
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₦110.4bn Fraud Trial: EFCC Witness Traces Company Inflows To Kogi LG Accounts

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₦110.4bn Fraud Trial: EFCC Witness Traces Company Inflows To Kogi LG Accounts

₦110.4bn Fraud Trial: EFCC Witness Traces Company Inflows To Kogi LG Accounts

An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told an Abuja court that companies under investigation in the alleged ₦110.4 billion fraud case involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello received regular inflows from local government accounts in the state.

The witness, John Justice, made the disclosure on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, while testifying as the 20th prosecution witness before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving ₦110.4 billion. The defendants have denied the allegations.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Justice said investigators obtained and analysed bank records to trace the movement of funds through several companies suspected of benefiting from transactions involving Kogi State local governments.

He told the court that an examination of the account statement of Forza Business Enterprise showed that most of the funds credited to the company came from local government accounts in Kogi State on a monthly basis.

“Most of the funds coming into the account were funds from Kogi State Local Government accounts coming on a monthly basis,” the witness told the court.

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Justice said the investigation also identified Keyless Ventures as a company that benefited from proceeds traced to the businesses under scrutiny.

According to him, the EFCC’s analysis showed that funds flowed from Kogi State into the companies’ accounts, with some of the transactions recorded as cash withdrawals.

The investigator said the commission became concerned about the large sums recorded as cash withdrawals and subsequently invited officials of Access Bank and Zenith Bank to assist with the investigation.

The EFCC also requested closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the banks to establish whether the money had actually been withdrawn in cash.

Justice told the court that the footage showed that customers did not physically take the recorded sums out of the banking halls.

He explained that some transactions involved customers completing a cheque withdrawal for one account and a deposit slip for another account, allowing the money to be transferred without being physically collected as cash.

The testimony suggested that transactions recorded as cash withdrawals in the companies’ account records included movements of funds into other accounts.

Justice said the investigation began after the EFCC’s Procurement Fraud Section received intelligence concerning the activities of local governments in Kogi State.

He identified several companies mentioned in the intelligence, including Hayzma, Bibas Energy, Forza Oil and Gas, and Keyless Ventures.

The witness said investigators conducted Bank Verification Number (BVN) searches and wrote to the relevant banks to obtain transaction records. The responses were subsequently analysed to establish the movement of funds among the accounts.

While identifying documents presented in court, Justice confirmed that some of the exhibits related to Hayzma Business Enterprise, Keyless Nature and Forza Business Enterprise.

He further told the court that a BVN search relating to Keyless Nature returned the name Abba Adaudu, while earlier searches had returned the names Yakubu Siyaka Adebenege and Iyadat Sa’adat.

Justice said he had worked as an EFCC operative for more than nine years and had received training in asset tracing, internet fraud, anti-money laundering and advance-fee fraud.

The prosecution alleges that the transactions form part of a wider scheme involving the diversion of public funds during Bello’s tenure as Kogi State governor between January 2016 and January 2024.

The EFCC has alleged that some of the funds were used to acquire properties in Abuja and make payments for school fees. Bello and his co-defendants have denied the allegations, and the prosecution must establish its case in court.

The trial was adjourned until November 24, 2026, for continuation.

The latest testimony adds to evidence presented by previous prosecution witnesses concerning transfers from Kogi local government accounts to private companies and the subsequent movement of the funds. However, the allegations remain subject to determination by the court.

₦110.4bn Fraud Trial: EFCC Witness Traces Company Inflows To Kogi LG Accounts

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Bauchi Police Rescue 18-Year-Old Woman From Mob After Stabbing Husband

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Bauchi Police Rescue 18-Year-Old Woman From Mob After Stabbing Husband
Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib
Bauchi Police Rescue 18-Year-Old Woman From Mob After Stabbing Husband

The Bauchi State Police Command has rescued an 18-year-old woman from an angry mob that allegedly attempted to lynch her after she reportedly stabbed her husband during a domestic dispute over money and personal belongings.

The incident occurred on Sunday, October 25, 2026, in Lirr Bajar community, Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The police identified the suspect as Fatima Dalha, 18, while her husband is a 30-year-old man whose name was not disclosed.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, the dispute began when Dalha demanded the return of her money, wrappers and mobile phone, which she alleged were in her husband’s possession.

The disagreement reportedly escalated into a physical altercation, during which the woman allegedly picked up a nearby knife and stabbed her husband in the stomach, leaving him bleeding.

The incident attracted residents, some of whom allegedly threatened to lynch the woman in retaliation for the attack.

However, officers attached to the Dass Divisional Police Headquarters arrived at the scene, rescued her from the crowd and took her into custody.

The injured husband was rushed to a hospital for medical treatment. Police said the knife allegedly used in the incident had been recovered, while the suspect was detained for further investigation.

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Habib disclosed that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for a detailed investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, expressed concern over domestic violence among young couples and urged spouses to resolve disagreements through peaceful dialogue, family intervention and other lawful means.

The commissioner also warned residents against jungle justice, stressing that suspects must be allowed to face the legal process rather than being subjected to mob violence.

The incident has drawn attention to the dangers of domestic disputes escalating into physical violence, as well as the risks posed when members of the public attempt to take the law into their own hands.

While the woman remains a suspect in the alleged stabbing, the circumstances surrounding the confrontation are subject to police investigation. The allegations have not been established in court.

 

Bauchi Police Rescue 18-Year-Old Woman From Mob After Stabbing Husband

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Soldier Killed as Troops Repel Attack by Over 100 Bandits in Niger

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Soldier Killed as Troops Repel Attack by Over 100 Bandits in Niger
Soldier Killed as Troops Repel Attack by Over 100 Bandits in Niger

A Nigerian soldier has been killed and three others injured after troops repelled an attack by more than 100 suspected bandits in Niger State, prompting the State House of Assembly to call for additional military bases in vulnerable communities.

The confrontation occurred about two weeks ago along the Zungeru–Tegina road in Rafi Local Government Area, where armed men reportedly invaded communities in the area but encountered resistance from Nigerian Army troops.

According to details presented to the Niger State House of Assembly, the soldiers engaged the suspected bandits in a fierce gun battle, preventing the attackers from overrunning the affected communities. Several of the assailants were reportedly killed, while motorcycles were recovered during the operation.

One soldier later died from gunshot injuries, while three others sustained injuries. The circumstances surrounding the encounter were discussed by lawmakers during plenary on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

The Assembly commended the troops for their courage and response, saying their intervention helped avert what could have been a devastating attack on residents already facing persistent insecurity.

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The motion was moved by Zubairu Ismail Zanna, who represents Rafi State Constituency. He praised the military for confronting the armed group despite its reported numerical advantage but warned that the threat could persist if security deployments were not strengthened.

Zanna urged the Niger State Government to engage the Federal Government and military authorities over the establishment of additional Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Rafi and neighbouring communities exposed to attacks.

He argued that a stronger and more permanent security presence would improve response times, strengthen intelligence gathering and make it more difficult for armed groups to regroup after being dislodged from their hideouts.

The lawmaker also pointed to difficult terrain, extensive forest areas and poorly secured rural routes as factors that make it easier for criminal groups to infiltrate communities and launch attacks.

He stressed that the strategic and economic importance of the Zungeru–Tegina corridor made improved security necessary to protect residents, transport routes and commercial activities.

The Assembly subsequently adopted the motion, urging the relevant authorities to sustain military operations and strengthen security arrangements in vulnerable areas.

The Speaker, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, called for a minute’s silence in honour of the deceased soldier. Lawmakers also offered prayers for the injured personnel receiving treatment.

The incident highlights continuing security challenges in parts of Niger State, where armed groups have carried out attacks and kidnappings along rural routes and around forested communities.

Earlier in October, troops operating under Operation Savannah Shield reportedly rescued 84 residents held by suspected terrorists following an encounter along the Tegina–Garin Gabas–Zungeru corridor. A soldier also died from injuries sustained during that separate operation.

The Assembly’s latest appeal reflects growing calls for more permanent military deployments, improved surveillance and stronger cooperation among security agencies and local communities to prevent further attacks and protect residents.

 

Soldier Killed as Troops Repel Attack by Over 100 Bandits in Niger

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Police Arrest 34 Cameroonians, Nigeriens Over Suspected Illegal Activities

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Police Arrest 34 Cameroonians, Nigeriens Over Suspected Illegal Activities
Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu

Police Arrest 34 Cameroonians, Nigeriens Over Suspected Illegal Activities

The Benue State Police Command has arrested 34 foreign nationals, comprising 16 Cameroonians and 18 Nigeriens, over concerns about their immigration status, travel documents and movements within the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed the arrests on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, while briefing journalists on the command’s security operations and achievements during the month.

According to the police chief, the 34 foreign nationals were arrested in two separate operations in Otukpo Local Government Area and Orokam in Ogbadibo Local Government Area.

Nwadiogbu said police operatives arrested the 16 Cameroonian nationals in Otukpo on October 9 after they allegedly failed to produce the required travel documents. Preliminary investigations indicated that the individuals had claimed they came to settle in the area but could not provide satisfactory explanations about their purpose.

The commissioner said the suspects were taken into custody for investigation and verification of their immigration status, adding that the police were examining concerns about their alleged involvement in clandestine activities.

In a separate operation on October 22, police intercepted 18 Nigerien nationals at Orokam. The group reportedly said they were travelling to Ikom in Cross River State, but concerns were raised about the circumstances of their entry into Nigeria and their inability to provide satisfactory explanations about their journey.

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The 18 suspects were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further questioning and verification of their identities, travel arrangements and immigration status.

Nwadiogbu said the command was working with the relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, to establish the facts and determine the appropriate action under the law.

The police have not publicly announced specific criminal charges against the 34 foreign nationals. Their arrest does not, in itself, establish that they committed a crime, and investigations into the circumstances of both incidents are continuing.

The arrests were among several security developments reported by the command for October. Nwadiogbu also disclosed that security operatives had rescued 29 kidnapped victims during operations across Benue State, with assistance from other security agencies and local security groups.

The police said the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping and other security threats, verify suspicious movements and protect lives and property across the state.

 

Police Arrest 34 Cameroonians, Nigeriens Over Suspected Illegal Activities

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