Court orders forfeiture of N1.37bn linked to El-Rufai govt - Newstrends
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Court orders forfeiture of N1.37bn linked to El-Rufai govt

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai
Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai

Court orders forfeiture of N1.37bn linked to El-Rufai govt

The Federal High Court in Kaduna has issued an interim forfeiture order for ₦1.37 billion, allegedly diverted from the coffers of the Kaduna State Government into a private account.

The funds in question were part of the allocations meant for the Kaduna State light rail project, which ultimately failed to materialize.

According to investigations, the alleged diversion occurred during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who led the state between 2015 and 2023.

On February 28, 2025, Justice H. Buhari granted the forfeiture order following an ex parte application by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The anti-graft agency revealed that its probe led to the discovery of the misappropriated funds in a private account, prompting the legal action.

On 14 February, the anti-graft agency filed the ex parte application seeking the recovery of the money. The ICPC said the El-Rufai administration never executed the project, depriving the people of Kaduna State of the benefits of the rail transportation system, which the money was meant for.

The commission said Kaduna State officials diverted the money through the Indo Kaduna MRTS JV Nig. Ltd, a joint venture entity set up in 2016 by the state government and Indian businesspeople.

ICPC’s lawyer, E.O Akponimisingha, moved the application on 28 February. Being an ex parte hearing, the proceedings excluded the adverse parties who might want to oppose the forfeiture application.

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Therefore, while granting the ICPC’s application, the judge not only ordered the interim forfeiture of the money, he also directed the anti-graft agency to publish a notice in any two national newspapers requesting any person with interest in the money to present their claim and show cause in court why the asset should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.

The judge then adjourned further proceedings till 8 April for such interested people who may want to claim the money to make their case before the court.

The Kaduna State Government under Mr El-Rufai entered into a joint venture agreement in October 2016 with Indo Kaduna MRTS JV Nig. Ltd. for a light rail transport system.

Before Mrts JV Nigeria was incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the ICPC said, Mr El-Rufai began approving payments to the entity in December 2016.

In the end, between December 2016 and January 2017, the then-governor approved the payment of N11.1 billion to the entity, which was not formally incorporated by the CAC until 10 May 2017.

From the N11.1 billion paid to Mrts JV Nigeria’s account domiciled with Sterling Bank, N1.373 billion was allegedly diverted into a private account tracked down by ICPC.

ICPC‘s ex parte application filed in court on 14 February sought an interim forfeiture of the discovered money.

Justifying the forfeiture request, the ICPC argued in the application signed by its chairman, Musa Aliyu, that redirecting the money into public-use projects aligns with the broader public interest.

The commission also said that granting the forfeiture order would not infringe on constitutional rights of anyone but would serve the greater public interest in governance and accountability.

The ICPC launched an investigation into the matter after receiving a petition from M. Yahaya, a lawyer from NUS’ AB Chambers, Abuja.

The petition, dated 27 June 2024 and received by the commission on 1 July 2024, alleged a disturbing level of criminal misappropriation of Kaduna State’s funds by officials of the past administration of Governor El-Rufai.

Some of Mr El-Rufai’s officials are facing charges in the state or before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the ICPC, and the Code of Conduct Bureau over alleged fraud.

The Kaduna State Government is also investigating some of Mr El-Rufai’s aides for corruption and mismanagement of public funds, allegations the former governor has described as a witch hunt targeted at him and his administration.

Mr El-Rufai and the group of his former appointees have consistently maintained their innocence.

They said the move by the ICPC to confiscate the light rail project funds, which they described as private assets, “is sheer oppression and abuse of power”. They added that the move could discourage foreign direct investments.

 

Court orders forfeiture of N1.37bn linked to El-Rufai govt

(PremiumTimes)

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No Lives Lost as Responders Contain Dual Fire Outbreaks Across Lagos

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No Lives Lost as Responders Contain Dual Fire Outbreaks Across Lagos

No Lives Lost as Responders Contain Dual Fire Outbreaks Across Lagos

Firefighters control blazes in Ikorodu and Surulere while clearing major highway obstructions over a busy emergency weekend.

Two separate fires destroyed several shops in Ikorodu and Surulere on Monday, causing significant property loss for local traders. Official reports confirm that while merchandise and equipment worth millions of naira were lost, no one was injured or killed in either incident.

The first incident occurred early Monday morning at Adamo Bus Stop in Ikorodu. Investigators found that faulty electrical wiring sparked on the roof of a salon, allowing flames to spread to two nearby stores.

Emergency teams arrived promptly to extinguish the fire and cool the surrounding structures so the flames would not return. Later that morning, another fire broke out on Olatunde Onimole Street in Surulere, destroying two retail spaces that housed a furniture business and a grocery store.

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Emergency teams also assisted drivers dealing with transit disruptions across the city, including towing disabled trucks off busy roads and aiding passengers after a commercial bus overturned on the Third Mainland Bridge.

LASEMA leadership praised the teamwork of police officers, paramedics, and traffic managers who kept the public safe. State authorities continue to remind shop owners and residents to inspect their electrical systems regularly and keep equipment properly maintained to protect their workplaces.

 

No Lives Lost as Responders Contain Dual Fire Outbreaks Across Lagos

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Plateau Attacks: Gunmen Kill Passengers, 13 Dead Across Three LGAs

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Plateau Attacks: Gunmen Kill Passengers, 13 Dead Across Three LGAs

Plateau Attacks: Gunmen Kill Passengers, 13 Dead Across Three LGAs

At least 13 people have been killed in a fresh wave of violence across Plateau State, with gunmen attacking a commercial bus in Jos South Local Government Area and separate communities in Mangu and Riyom LGAs.

The attacks, which occurred between Saturday and Monday, September 12 and 14, 2026, have heightened fears of renewed reprisal violence in communities already affected by prolonged tensions and recurring clashes.

One of the deadliest incidents occurred at Dungus Kuru T-junction, near Science School in Jos South, where gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus travelling from the Farin Lamba axis towards Jos.

The attack reportedly occurred at about 8:30pm on Sunday as the vehicle was moving through the area. The assailants opened fire on the bus before fleeing, leaving several passengers dead and others injured.

An initial military account put the death toll at six passengers, comprising five males and one female, while two others sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to hospital.

Troops responding to a distress call subsequently moved into the area and began operations to track down the attackers.

However, subsequent accounts from community sources placed the number of people killed in the bus attack at nine, saying some passengers who initially survived the shooting later died from their injuries.

The Berom Youth Moulders, through its spokesman, Rwang Tengwong, reportedly said one of the victims was a member of Operation Rainbow, a local security initiative operating in Plateau State.

The differing casualty figures could not immediately be reconciled, as security authorities were still working to establish the full circumstances and final toll of the attack.

The Plateau State Police Command also confirmed that attacks had occurred but indicated that investigations were ongoing and that further details would be provided after the facts had been established.

The identities and motive of the attackers remained unknown as of Tuesday, while security agencies continued efforts to locate those responsible.

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The Dungus Kuru bus attack came amid a series of other deadly incidents reported in parts of Mangu Local Government Area, further raising concerns about the possibility of retaliatory attacks.

In Alohom community in Mangu, three young Fulani herders were reportedly killed in an attack.

The victims were identified as Garzali Shaibu, 18; Bashiru Yakubu, 14; and Salim Abubakar, 15.

Security reports indicated that 36 cattle were also killed, while another 12 sustained gunshot injuries. Two other members of the herding group were initially reported missing.

Troops deployed to the area reportedly recovered the bodies of the three victims.

Members of the affected Fulani community alleged that suspected Mwaghavul militia were responsible for the attack. The allegation, however, had not been independently established by security authorities, and no particular group had been officially identified as responsible.

The violence reportedly continued in Vodni community in Mangu LGA, where suspected attackers killed two people and injured several others.

Reports on the incident also indicated that children were among those affected, with five children reportedly found injured inside a house after troops responding to a distress call arrived in the community.

The injured children were evacuated to Mangu General Hospital for treatment.

Another attack was reported in Tahoos in Riyom Local Government Area, where two people were reportedly killed.

The incidents across Jos South, Mangu and Riyom brought the reported death toll from the fresh violence to at least 13, although community accounts suggested that the figure could be higher.

The latest Plateau violence has renewed concerns about the fragile security situation in the state, particularly in communities where disputes involving farming and herding populations have previously triggered cycles of attacks and reprisals.

The killing of passengers travelling in a commercial vehicle has also raised fresh concerns about the safety of motorists and commuters using roads connecting communities around Jos South and neighbouring local government areas.

Residents fear that the latest killings could lead to retaliatory attacks if security agencies fail to identify the perpetrators and prevent further violence.

Security forces operating under Operation Enduring Peace have continued patrols and responses in affected areas, while authorities are expected to intensify surveillance and efforts to apprehend those responsible.

Community leaders and security agencies are also under pressure to prevent the latest incidents from escalating into wider communal violence and to protect residents, farmers, herders and commuters across vulnerable areas.

For now, investigations into the Dungus Kuru attack and the other incidents are continuing, while authorities work to establish the final casualty figures, identify the perpetrators and determine the motives behind the attacks.

Plateau Attacks: Gunmen Kill Passengers, 13 Dead Across Three LGAs

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Police Arrest Mother Over Alleged Brutal Abuse of 7-Year-Old Girl in Anambra

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Police Arrest Mother Over Alleged Brutal Abuse of 7-Year-Old Girl in Anambra

Police Arrest Mother Over Alleged Brutal Abuse of 7-Year-Old Girl in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 32-year-old woman, Mrs Ogechi Ofoma, following the alleged brutal physical abuse of her seven-year-old daughter in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

The incident was reported to the police on the evening of Sunday, September 13, 2026, after the child was reportedly found with severe bodily injuries in the Awada-Obosi area.

According to the police, security personnel from the Ibollo Community and concerned residents intervened after becoming aware of the alleged abuse. The intervention led to the rescue of the child and the arrest of her mother.

Preliminary findings indicate that the girl suffered serious physical injuries. The police said the injuries were reportedly inflicted with a hot knife, although investigations are still ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.

The child has been taken under the care and protection of relevant authorities, while the Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare is working with the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, to facilitate urgent medical attention and welfare support for the victim.

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The police have commenced an investigation into the incident to determine what led to the alleged abuse and whether any other person was involved.

Mrs Ofoma remains in police custody as investigators work to establish the full circumstances of the case and determine the appropriate legal action.

The intervention by the Ibollo Community security personnel and residents has also drawn attention to the role of communities in protecting children and reporting suspected cases of child abuse.

Cases involving children who suffer physical violence can require intervention from law enforcement, social welfare authorities and other child-protection agencies to ensure the victim’s immediate safety and access to appropriate care.

The Anambra Police Command commended the community members who responded to the situation and helped secure the child’s rescue.

The case comes amid continuing concerns over child abuse in Nigeria, particularly physical violence against children who may be unable to protect themselves or report their experiences.

Authorities are expected to establish the nature and extent of the girl’s injuries, examine available evidence and determine whether additional suspects should be questioned or arrested.

The outcome of the investigation will determine the next legal steps in the case.

Police Arrest Mother Over Alleged Brutal Abuse of 7-Year-Old Girl in Anambra

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