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Court rejects EFCC’s plea to play video against ex-NNPC GMD

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5 years ago

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A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, rejected the request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to play video evidence in the ongoing trial of Andrew Yakubu, former Group Managing Director (GMD), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a ruling, dismissed the application on the grounds that Yakubu was not the maker of the exhibits and as such, he could not be cross-examined based on those documents.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Mohammed had, on June 30, fixed today for ruling on the anti-corruption agency’s application.

The agency’s lawyer, Farouk Abdullah, had sought an order of the court to play video documents which were tendered while taking the evidence of the sixth prosecution witness (PW6) on Oct. 17, 2018, and admitted in evidence by the court in cross-examining Yakubu, who was in the witness box as the first defence witness (DW1).

The court had marked the documents tendered as Exhibits “M,” “N” and “N1.”

While Exhibits “M” and “N” were compact discs, Exhibit “N1” was a memory card.

However, Counsel to the defendant, Ahmed Raji, SAN, opposed the EFCC’s application.

Raji had argued that Yakubu was not a maker of the exhibits which in the eyes of law were documented.

“This ought to have been done through the witness who produced the document (PW6) and who is the maker and who tendered exhibits in them,” he had said.

The senior lawyer also argued that allowing such application would be going contrary to “the directives of the Court of Appeal as to what is to be done in the suit.”

The EFCC lawyer also disagreed with Raji.

Abdullah had enjoined the court to look at the provisions of the Evidence Act as to whether a counsel in a trial has a right to make use of exhibits already before the court at any stage of proceedings in determining an issue, particularly in cross-examination.

He submitted that an exhibit already before a court could be used to either establish a fact or dispel a fact at any stage of a proceeding.

“It is a right that can be enjoyed by both prosecution and defence.

“We urge my lord to so hold and answer this in affirmative,” he had said.

The Judge, however, disagreed with the EFCC in his ruling.

Justice Mohammed also deferred the agency’s fresh application to recall two prosecution witnesses (PWs) for a re-examination pending when Yakubu’s cross-examination is completed.

Abdullah had applied for a recall of two of the agency’s PWs in the trial following the court’s rejection of his request to play the video evidence.

But Raji opposed the prayer, arguing that since the EFCC had called all its witnesses and closed its case, “recalling those witnesses when the defendant had already opened his defence and he is in the witness box will only interrupt the proceeding.”

He also argued that allowing the prayer would not be doing justice to the defendant who had been in the witness box for over a year.

He urged the court to defer the anti-graft commission’s application until his client’s cross-examination is completed.

Ruling, the judge noted that Yakubu, who had been in the witness box as DW1 (first defence witness) since July 8, 2020, had already given his evidence before the court.

Mohammed held that it would be unfair to keep the defendant in the witness box for over a year and grant such prayer when the cross-examination was yet to be completed.

“Therefore, the application to recall two witnesses is defer until the DW1 cross-examination is completed,” he ruled.

Abdullah then applied for a short adjournment to enable him to produce some documents which would be relevant in cross-examining Yakubu.

Raji described the application as “a deliberate attempt to prolong the proceeding for reason known to the prosecution.”

He said in order to delay processing, the EFCC lawyer had been coming up with one application or another.

“My lord, I want it to be on record because if a defence counsel does this, especially senior lawyers, the same song will be ‘oh, they don’t allow criminal trials to move.

“My lord, a diligent prosecution would have come with everything,” he said.

Raji, who said the application for adjournment was lacking in merit, urged the court to refuse it.

“It is against the spirit of justice and Administration of Criminal Justice Act),” he said.

The judge said though the court was not inclined to granting the plea considering the time the exercise had taken, he adjourned the case until July 29 for the continuation of the cross examination of Yakubu.

NAN reports that the anti-graft agency had, in 2017, raided the residence of the ex-NNPC boss in Kaduna and found 9, 772, 800 dollars and 74, 000 pounds (9.7 million dollars and 74, 000 pounds) in a safe.

Yakubu was, however, arraigned on March 16, 2017, on six counts but the trial court struck out counts five and six.

The Court of Appeal also ordered the former GMD to defend only counts three and four which bordered on failure to make full disclosure of assets, receiving cash without going through a financial institution. (NAN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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After AfDB Tenure, Adesina Offers to Help Tinubu Drive Nigeria’s Growth

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October 28, 2026

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After AfDB Tenure, Adesina Offers to Help Tinubu Drive Nigeria’s Growth
Former President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
After AfDB Tenure, Adesina Offers to Help Tinubu Drive Nigeria’s Growth

Former President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has declared his readiness to contribute to Nigeria’s development in any capacity deemed appropriate by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while clarifying that he is not seeking a government appointment.

Adesina made the declaration on Tuesday after meeting Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he briefed the President on his 10-year tenure at the continental development finance institution and its financial support for Nigeria.

The former AfDB president said his willingness to serve was motivated by patriotism and a sense of responsibility to his country, rather than a desire to secure a political position.

“I’m fully able to help Nigeria in any capacity. I’ve always had that. My heart is always at home,” he told journalists after the meeting.

He added that he was prepared to contribute wherever the President considered his experience and expertise useful.

“In any capacity that His Excellency feels I can help, I can help in anything. I’m not looking for a job. I’m not looking for anything. I’m just here to help,” Adesina said.

“It’s my country. I have a duty, an obligation and a responsibility to do so, and I will.”

Adesina briefs Tinubu on AfDB achievements

Adesina explained that the visit was an opportunity to formally inform Tinubu that he had completed his two terms as AfDB president and to present an account of the bank’s achievements during his leadership.

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He said the bank provided approximately $7 billion in financing to Nigeria between 2015 and 2025, compared with total financing of $11.1 billion since it began operations in Nigeria in 1971.

According to him, the financing provided during his decade at the helm represented approximately 63 per cent of the bank’s cumulative support to Nigeria over the period.

Adesina said Tinubu expressed satisfaction with the bank’s contributions and the projects supported during his tenure.

The former Nigerian minister of agriculture led the AfDB from 2015 until September 2025, completing two terms as the institution’s president. He was the first Nigerian to occupy the position.

Adesina commends Tinubu’s economic reforms

During the meeting, Adesina also commended Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and the harmonisation of foreign exchange windows.

He described the measures as difficult but important decisions, arguing that they were beginning to produce results in some areas of the economy.

According to him, foreign exchange availability had improved, portfolio investors were returning to the country, and inflation was trending downwards.

However, he acknowledged that prices remained high, meaning many Nigerians continued to face pressure from the cost of living.

Adesina also cited improved assessments from some international credit-rating agencies, which he said reflected changing perceptions of Nigeria’s economic outlook.

Despite these developments, he cautioned that economic stabilisation was only the beginning of a broader transformation process.

“You have to also now move from the issue of the reforms and stabilisation straight into structural transformation and also growth and prosperity,” he said.

He argued that Nigeria must now focus on translating economic reforms into stronger productivity, expanded economic opportunities and improved living standards.

Former AfDB chief urges focus on growth and prosperity

Adesina’s remarks place emphasis on the need to move beyond macroeconomic adjustments towards policies that deliver tangible benefits for households and businesses.

His comments come amid continuing debate over the impact of the Tinubu administration’s reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and changes to the foreign exchange market.

While the government has defended the measures as necessary to stabilise public finances and improve economic efficiency, higher living costs have remained a concern for many Nigerians.

Adesina did not announce any specific government role he was prepared to take up, and the Presidency did not announce an appointment following the meeting.

Instead, the former AfDB president reiterated his willingness to contribute his experience in development finance, agriculture and economic transformation whenever the President considered his services necessary.

After AfDB Tenure, Adesina Offers to Help Tinubu Drive Nigeria’s Growth

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Why Nigeria Needs Fresh $21.7bn Loan Despite Rising Debt Burden – Finance Minister

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28 minutes ago

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October 28, 2026

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Why Nigeria Needs Fresh $21.7bn Loan Despite Rising Debt Burden – Finance Minister
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele

Why Nigeria Needs Fresh $21.7bn Loan Despite Rising Debt Burden – Finance Minister

The Federal Government has defended its plan to secure about $21.7 billion in fresh external loans, saying additional financing is needed to bridge Nigeria’s infrastructure funding gap, support economic growth and finance critical development projects across the country.

The proposed borrowing plan, covering 2026 and 2027, comprises $20.52 billion and €1.045 billion, equivalent to approximately $21.7 billion.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu submitted the request to the National Assembly, arguing that Nigeria requires substantial investment to address infrastructure shortages and sustain economic development.

The proposed facilities would support projects and programmes in power, transportation, healthcare, education, agriculture, water supply, security and employment generation, as well as reforms to public financial management.

According to the President, the projects underwent technical and economic evaluations and are expected to create jobs, promote skills acquisition and entrepreneurship, reduce poverty and strengthen food security.

He said external borrowing had become necessary because the financial resources required to close Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit exceeded what the government could adequately provide from existing funding sources.

The request is subject to legislative approval and has not yet received final authorisation.

Why the government says Nigeria needs more loans

The administration’s main argument is that inadequate infrastructure continues to constrain productivity, investment and economic growth. It maintains that borrowing can provide the capital needed to finance projects that would otherwise face funding delays.

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Electricity, transport networks, healthcare facilities, education and water infrastructure are among the sectors expected to benefit from the proposed financing.

The government also argues that investment in these areas could stimulate economic activities, improve access to essential services and generate employment across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

However, the economic benefits will depend on whether the projects are completed on schedule, remain within budget and deliver returns sufficient to justify their financing costs.

Nigeria’s debt profile raises concerns

The proposed borrowing comes amid growing scrutiny of the country’s public debt.

Figures from the Debt Management Office show that Nigeria’s total public debt stood at ₦166.79 trillion at the end of June 2026, compared with ₦87.38 trillion in June 2023.

The increase has intensified debate over the government’s borrowing strategy, although the rise in the naira value of external debt has also been influenced by exchange-rate depreciation.

If the proposed facilities are fully approved and disbursed, they would add to Nigeria’s existing obligations, with the eventual impact depending on exchange rates, repayment terms and other changes in the debt stock.

Economists and business groups have therefore called for greater transparency about the individual projects to be financed, their costs, expected returns and repayment arrangements.

The Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria has warned that new borrowing should be tied to projects capable of generating measurable economic benefits, including jobs, productivity and government revenue.

Questions over previous borrowing

The latest request has also prompted questions about the implementation of projects funded by earlier loans and the government’s outstanding obligations to contractors.

Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central, questioned why contractors executing capital projects were still awaiting payment despite previous legislative approvals for borrowing.

He argued that the government needed to demonstrate how earlier facilities had been used and explain why budgeted projects remained underfunded.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, also urged the National Assembly to suspend consideration of the request until the government provides comprehensive information about the projects, contractors, costs, loan terms and repayment obligations.

The concerns centre on whether additional borrowing will produce sufficient economic returns or increase the pressure on public finances without delivering commensurate development benefits.

National Assembly to scrutinise request

The President’s proposal has been referred to the relevant National Assembly committees for consideration.

The legislative review is expected to examine the proposed facilities and their intended uses before lawmakers decide whether to approve the request.

The government maintains that the financing is necessary to address infrastructure shortages and support development, while critics insist that the administration must demonstrate the value of previous loans and provide clearer details of the new projects.

Ultimately, the justification for the proposed $21.7 billion borrowing plan will depend not only on the infrastructure needs identified by the government but also on the terms of the loans, the transparency of project selection, the effectiveness of implementation and Nigeria’s ability to meet its repayment obligations.

Why Nigeria Needs Fresh $21.7bn Loan Despite Rising Debt Burden – Finance Minister

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NSCDC Evidence Scandal: Tunji-Ojo Says Officers Tampered With Evidence in Miners’ Deaths

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1 day ago

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October 27, 2026

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NSCDC Evidence Scandal: Tunji-Ojo Says Officers Tampered With Evidence in Miners’ Deaths
NSCDC Evidence Scandal: Tunji-Ojo Says Officers Tampered With Evidence in Miners’ Deaths

Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has raised concerns over alleged evidence tampering by officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) during investigations into the deaths of suspected illegal miners in custody in Minna, Niger State.

The development emerged as a Federal Government investigative panel submitted its report on the incident on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, recommending disciplinary action against personnel found responsible and a ₦1.4 billion compensation package for bereaved families and survivors.

The panel found that the detainees had been held in a severely overcrowded cell, where poor ventilation, extreme heat and dehydration contributed to the deaths. It said the incident was preventable and identified failures in supervision, detention procedures and the duty of care owed to people in custody.

According to the committee, the operation that led to the arrests was conducted without an operational order from the NSCDC national headquarters. It also found that the corps’ specialised Mining Marshals Unit was not involved in the operation.

The panel recommended the dismissal of personnel whose actions directly contributed to the deaths, as well as prosecution where the evidence supports criminal charges. It called for administrative sanctions against officers whose failures did not directly cause the fatalities.

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The proposed ₦1.4 billion compensation package includes ₦30 million for each of the 33 bereaved families and ₦10 million for each of the 41 survivors. Other recommendations include educational support for the dependants of deceased detainees, medical rehabilitation for survivors, psychological support for affected families and a formal government apology.

The deaths followed the arrest of suspected illegal miners during enforcement operations in Minna in September. The incident sparked public outrage and calls for accountability, prompting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order a comprehensive investigation.

The reported death toll has varied: initial accounts referred to 33 deaths, while the Niger State Government and subsequent federal investigation reports referred to 37. The figures should therefore be distinguished when reporting the panel’s findings.

The panel’s recommendations are not criminal convictions. Any prosecution must follow due process, and responsibility must be established through the appropriate legal proceedings.

NSCDC Evidence Scandal: Tunji-Ojo Says Officers Tampered With Evidence in Miners’ Deaths

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