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Court Orders Forfeiture of Pastor Ebonyi’s Hotel, School, Factory Over Alleged N1.39bn Fraud
Court Orders Forfeiture of Pastor Ebonyi’s Hotel, School, Factory Over Alleged N1.39bn Fraud
A Federal High Court sitting in Lafia has ordered the permanent forfeiture of multiple properties belonging to Pastor Theophilus Ebonyi, founder and General Overseer of Faith On The Rock Ministry International, after ruling that the assets were acquired through proceeds of a large-scale fraud scheme estimated at about N1.39 billion.
The judgment followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which told the court that the forfeited properties were linked to funds traced to a fraudulent investment and fake grant operation allegedly run through Theobarth Global Foundation.
The court, presided over by Justice M.O. Olajuwon, held that the EFCC successfully established that the assets were derived from unlawful activities under the provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act. The judge further ruled that the defendant failed to provide credible evidence to justify legitimate ownership of the properties.
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The forfeited assets include a 23-room hotel and event centre in Nyanya Gwandara, a warehouse and sachet water factory in Karu, two office buildings, a primary school, and a bank account containing over N1 million. Authorities said these properties were either directly purchased or developed using proceeds from the alleged financial fraud scheme.
EFCC investigators told the court that Ebonyi was arrested in 2023 over allegations that he orchestrated a fraudulent scheme through Theobarth Global Foundation, where he promoted a fake $20 billion Ford Foundation grant. The commission said he falsely claimed affiliation with the internationally recognised Ford Foundation, a claim the organisation has publicly denied.
According to investigators, victims were made to pay about N1.8 million each as registration and processing fees, with promises of access to the non-existent grant. The EFCC stated that the scheme defrauded individuals and corporate bodies of approximately N1.39 billion before it was exposed.
With the court’s ruling, all listed assets have now been permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria as part of ongoing efforts to recover proceeds of crime and dismantle fraudulent investment networks.
The EFCC said the judgment marks a major step in the prosecution process and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that proceeds of advance fee fraud are recovered and returned to public ownership.
Authorities also cautioned members of the public against falling for fake grant schemes or investment programmes that promise unrealistic returns or falsely claim affiliation with reputable international organisations such as the Ford Foundation.
Court Orders Forfeiture of Pastor Ebonyi’s Hotel, School, Factory Over Alleged N1.39bn Fraud
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Former okada rider excretes 100 wraps of methamphetamine after arrest at Lagos airport
Former okada rider excretes 100 wraps of methamphetamine after arrest at Lagos airport
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a former commercial motorcyclist, popularly known as an okada rider, after he allegedly excreted 100 wraps of methamphetamine he swallowed in Uganda in an attempt to smuggle the illicit drug into Nigeria.
The arrest, described by the anti-narcotics agency as another breakthrough in its fight against transnational drug trafficking, was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, and shared on the agency’s official X account.
According to the agency, the suspect had worked as an okada rider in Lagos for about 15 years before allegedly joining an international drug trafficking syndicate in search of better financial opportunities.
The NDLEA said intelligence gathered by its operatives led to the suspect’s interception shortly after he arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, on a commercial flight from Uganda.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly ingested 100 wraps of methamphetamine before boarding the flight to Nigeria, hoping to evade airport security and anti-drug screening procedures.
Following his arrest, the suspect was placed under medical observation by NDLEA officers, where he reportedly excreted all 100 wraps of the suspected illicit substance over a monitored period. The agency said the recovered exhibits have been secured while forensic examination and further investigations continue.
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Investigators believe the suspect was working for a transnational drug trafficking network operating across East and West Africa. The NDLEA said efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate, including those who recruited him and those expected to receive the drug consignment in Nigeria.
Reacting to the incident, the NDLEA said the suspect’s attempt to improve his financial status through drug trafficking ended in failure.
In a post on its official X account, the agency stated:
“After 15 years of working as an okada rider in Lagos, this individual decides he needed to forcefully upgrade and change his social status by joining a transnational drug trafficking organisation.”
“That dream has not only crumbled now but is ending in premium tears following his arrest at the Lagos airport by NDLEA officers after excreting a whopping 100 wraps of methamphetamine he ingested in far away Uganda.”
The anti-narcotics agency also released a video showing aspects of the arrest and recovery process, describing the operation as evidence of its sustained intelligence-led strategy against international drug trafficking.
The latest arrest comes amid intensified surveillance by the NDLEA at Nigeria’s airports, seaports and land borders as the agency continues to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates using the country as a transit route or destination for illicit narcotics.
The agency has repeatedly warned Nigerians against participating in drug trafficking, noting that criminal organisations often lure unsuspecting individuals with promises of quick financial gains, only for them to face arrest, prosecution and possible imprisonment.
Security experts say the use of human couriers who swallow illicit drugs remains one of the most dangerous methods employed by international drug traffickers because of the significant health risks involved, including poisoning, internal injury and death if the drug packages rupture inside the body.
The suspect is expected to be charged in court after investigations are concluded in accordance with the provisions of the NDLEA Act and other applicable laws governing drug-related offences in Nigeria.
Former okada rider excretes 100 wraps of methamphetamine after arrest at Lagos airport
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Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Sani Yellow Killed in Zamfara
Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Sani Yellow Killed in Zamfara
Notorious bandit leader Kachalla Sani Yellow has been killed in Zamfara State in what marks another significant development in the fight against banditry in Nigeria’s North-West.
The feared gang leader, who was linked to a series of deadly attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling operations across parts of Zamfara State, was reportedly killed in Anka Local Government Area.
However, conflicting accounts have emerged over the circumstances surrounding his death.
One report claimed that Sani Yellow was ambushed and shot dead at Dan Jibga Market by gunmen allegedly loyal to rival bandit kingpin Dogo Gide. The incident is believed to be connected to the growing power struggle among criminal gangs operating in the state, as rival factions continue to battle for dominance.
Another account attributed his death to a coordinated offensive by Nigerian security forces, supported by members of the Maiduguri Special Vigilantes deployed to reinforce ongoing counter-banditry operations in Zamfara. The operation was said to be part of sustained efforts to dismantle armed groups and eliminate high-profile criminal commanders.
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Kachalla Sani Yellow was widely regarded as one of the most influential bandit commanders in the Anka, Bukkuyum and Maru axes of Zamfara State. He was allegedly responsible for numerous attacks on rural communities, mass abductions for ransom, cattle rustling and violent raids that displaced thousands of residents.
His death is expected to weaken the operational capacity of his network, although security analysts have warned that splinter groups may launch reprisal attacks or seek to reorganise under new leadership.
As of the time of filing this report, Nigerian security agencies had yet to issue an official statement confirming the exact circumstances surrounding the bandit leader’s death.
Security operations have, however, continued across Zamfara and neighbouring states as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle remaining criminal networks and restore peace to communities affected by years of armed violence.
Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Sani Yellow Killed in Zamfara
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BREAKING: 10 Killed as Suspected Herdsmen Launch Fresh Attacks on Benue Communities
BREAKING: Killed as Suspected Herdsmen Launch Fresh Attacks on Benue Communities
No fewer than 10 persons have been confirmed dead following separate attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The latest wave of violence began on Saturday when the attackers reportedly invaded Akpachi village in the Ugboju community, killing two residents and leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries.
Less than 24 hours later, in the early hours of Sunday, the gunmen allegedly struck again, this time attacking the Otukpo Nobi community, where eight more people were killed while many others sustained injuries.
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- BREAKING: 10 Killed as Suspected Herdsmen Launch Fresh Attacks on Benue Communities
The renewed attacks sparked protests by angry youths and residents, who marched to the palace of the Och’Idoma in Otukpo to express their frustration over the deteriorating security situation. The demonstrators called on both the Benue State Government and federal authorities to take urgent steps to end the recurring violence in the area.
The latest killings have heightened tension across Otukpo and surrounding communities, with many residents expressing fears over continued attacks and the apparent inability of security agencies to prevent them.
The incident comes barely one month after the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, who were attacked and killed around Okwudu in Otukpo Local Government Area after attending a peace meeting in neighbouring Ohimini Local Government Area.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the latest attacks or confirm whether any arrests had been made. Meanwhile, residents have appealed for increased security presence in the affected communities to prevent further loss of lives.
BREAKING: Killed as Suspected Herdsmen Launch Fresh Attacks on Benue Communities
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