metro
We made highest recovery from Lagos, Abuja, others – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it made its highest funds recovery in 2021 from its Lagos Zonal Command, followed by Abuja, where its headquarters is located; Kaduna Zonal Command and Port Harcourt Zonal Command.
According to the April edition of EFCC Alert, the monthly e-magazine published by the media unit of the commission, in 2021 alone, the EFCC recovered from Lagos N70.31bn, $9.28m, £21,500, 4.06 Bitcoin and 0.09 Ethereum, which is a popular digital token.
At its headquarters in Abuja, the commission said it recovered N67.24bn, $375.66m, £1.15m, €155,251.76.
Also, in Kaduna Command, the commission recovered N3.33bn and $13,685; in the Port Harcourt Command, it said it recovered N2.14bn and $125,077; in Sokoto Zonal Command, it recovered N1.92bn, $56,950 and £4,075; in Kano Zonal Command, it recovered N1.78bn, $194,098 and SAR1.72m.
From its Benin Zonal Command, it recovered N972.05m, $49,240 and £735; in Enugu Zonal Command, it recovered N768.2m, $22,735 and AED50; in Ibadan Zonal Command, it recovered N325.52m, $383,385, £2,670, €995, 1,400 Canadian Dollar, 1.3BTC and ZAR1, 900.
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Furthermore, in Gombe Zonal Command, it said it recovered N388.59m and $1,500; in Uyo Zonal Command, it recovered N234m and $357,000; in Maiduguri Zonal Command, it made N970.42m; in Makurdi Zonal Command, it recovered N121.35m; and in Ilorin Zonal Command, it recovered N240.96m and $7,161.
The commission noted that since it was established 19 years ago, it had continued to set the pace for law enforcement agencies, saying it had raised the bar in conviction records, assets recovered from the corrupt and corruption-prevention strategies.
“No agency of government has contributed to the development of law in Nigeria in the last 10 years than the commission,” EFCC Chairman, AbdulRasheed Bawa, added.
On the trajectory of the convictions secured so far, it said, “The EFCC secured 976 convictions in 2020; 1,280 in 2019, and 314 in 2018. Going memory lane, it was a humble beginning with 68 convictions in 2010 and 67 recorded in 2011.
“The Commission then revved it up to 87, 117 and 126, in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. There was a drop in 2015, with 103 convictions secured. However, 2016 witnessed an improvement, with 194 convictions. Yet another drop was witnessed in 2017 as it fell short by five, to stay at 189 convictions.
“But, in all ramifications, the 2021 record of 2,220 (convictions) can well be described as “a significant upsurge”, which has no doubt placed the EFCC on a pedestal of a pacesetter.
“This also reflects in the mind-boggling sums of N152,088,698,751.64; $386,220,202.84; £1,182,519.75; €156,246.76; 1,723,310.00 Saudi Riyal; 1,900.00 South African Rand, and 1,400.00 Canadian Dollars recovered from the corrupt in the society.”
PUNCH
metro
No Sallah durbar festival in Kano this year – Police warn

No Sallah durbar festival in Kano this year – Police warn
There will be no Sallah Durbar celebrations in Kano during this year’s Eid-el-Fitr festivities, the state police command has said.
It cited security concerns and the need to prevent potential unrest as reasons for the ban announced on Friday ahead of the end of Ramadan fast festival holding on Sunday or Monday.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, announced the decision while addressing journalists at the Bompai Police Headquarters in Kano.
He said intelligence reports revealed plans by certain groups to use the Durbar to create instability.
“In pursuit of a safe and secure celebration, and to maintain peace and public order, the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has assessed the rising tensions and uncertainties surrounding the Durbar activities,” Bakori said.
“Following credible intelligence reports about plans to use the Durbar as a proxy for unrest, a ban has been placed on all Durbar activities throughout the state during the 2025 Eid-El-Fitr Sallah celebrations.”
The Police Commissioner emphasized that the decision was taken after extensive consultations with the Kano State Government and other key stakeholders.
The police command has urged worshippers to conduct their Eid prayers only at designated prayer grounds and to adhere to security guidelines.
Some of the restrictions in place outlined by CP Bakori include worshippers should avoiding carrying unnecessary objects that may cause suspicion., no horse riding (Kilisa), car racing, or reckless driving will be allowed, and parents and guardians must caution their children against involvement in disruptive activities.
He further warned that anyone caught violating these directives would face legal consequences.
metro
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde

We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured Muslims in the state that he has no objections to the operation of Sharia panels, emphasizing that individuals are free to seek dispute resolution through them if they so wish.
Speaking at the 2025 Iftar event organized by the state government at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde clarified that he has no plans to challenge the legality of Sharia courts in the state. His comments were conveyed in a statement on Thursday by his media aide, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
Earlier in the week, Dr. Rafiu Bello, Chairman of the Sharia Committee of Oyo Land, had confirmed that a Sharia panel had already been established in Oyo town and had begun sittings. This led to renewed discussions regarding the panel’s constitutionality.
In response, Makinde reiterated his stance that the Constitution remains the supreme authority in all legal matters while acknowledging the role of Sharia panels in alternative dispute resolution.
“I read in the newspaper that I would go to court for interpretation on the Sharia panel, which is ongoing in Oyo. That is not my position,” the governor stated. “My position is that we will support anything that is in our Constitution.”
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Makinde explained that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including the Sharia panel, could ease the burden on the courts, provided they do not conflict with constitutional provisions.
He further emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining religious harmony and unity in the state, cautioning against attempts to use religion for political gains.
“As we move towards the next election, there will be elements that only think about the next election. But what we have done in this administration is to think about the next generation,” he said.
The governor also used the occasion to appreciate the Muslim community for their support and prayers, acknowledging the contributions of religious leaders, lawmakers, and security agencies in fostering peace and development in Oyo State.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin (represented by Deputy Speaker Mohammed Fadeyi), and other key figures from the judiciary and legislative arms of government.
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
metro
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud

EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
Mamman Nasir Ali, the son of former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and one Christian Taylor were on Thursday rearraigned for an alleged N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud before Justice Mojisola Dadap of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
They were re-arraigned alongside Nasaman Oil Services Limited on an amended 57-count charge, following new findings in the case.
The defendants had initially been arraigned on a 49-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and the use of false documents.
At the scheduled trial for the adoption of final written addresses on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Seiduh Atteh, informed the court of the amended charges and requested that the defendants take a fresh plea.
There was no objection from the defence counsel, Obafemi Kolade, SAN.
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Consequently, the court granted the request.
The defendants, thereafter, pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charges preferred against them.
In the amended charge, the defendants, as well as Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul Afeez, who are both at large, allegedly “fraudulently obtained money from the Federal Government on or about September 9, 2011.”
The defendants also allegedly forged a document titled: “ GASOLINE ANALYSIS” on board MT Overseas Limar, purportedly issued by Saybolt Concremat on the said date.
Following the re-arraignment, Kolade requested time for the defence to amend its written address in response to the new charges.
Justice Dada directed the prosecution to file a response before the next hearing.
The case was adjourned till April 15, 2025 for the adoption of final written addresses.
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
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