metro
EFCC arraigns couple for N197m fraud, impersonating Katsina first lady
EFCC arraigns couple for N197m fraud, impersonating Katsina first lady
A husband and wife, Baba Sadiq and Hafsat, alongside two accomplices, Abdullahi Bala and Ladani Akindele, have been remanded in prison custody after their arraignment before Justice Amina Bello of the Kaduna State High Court on charges of fraud, money laundering, and theft amounting to ₦197,750,000.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought the six-count charges against the defendants on Monday, March 10, 2025.
According to a statement by EFCC, the suspects allegedly conspired to defraud victims by posing as high-profile individuals, including impersonating the wife of Katsina State Governor, Fatima Dikko Radda.
“The defendants were initially arrested by officers of the Department of State Services, DSS, and subsequently transferred to the EFCC when it was clear that their offences were financial crimes in nature,” the EFCC stated.
One of the charges reads: “That you Hafsat Kabir Lawal, Babasule Abubakar Sadiq, Abdullahi Bala, Ladani Akindele Ayodele sometimes in December 2024 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this honorable court with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of N89,000,000.00… under the false pretense that you had the sum of $53,300… to exchange for the Naira equivalent which pretense you knew to be false…”
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The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. In response, EFCC counsel Bright C. Ogbonna requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendants in custody. Defense lawyers, including M.S. Katu, SAN, and Jazuli Mustapha, applied for bail but were met with opposition from the prosecution. Justice Bello ruled in favor of the EFCC, ordering the defendants’ remand and adjourning the case to March 17, 2025, for a bail hearing.
According to the EFCC, investigations revealed that Hafsat allegedly posed as the Katsina First Lady to obtain ₦89 million and ₦108 million from victims seeking currency exchange services. The statement further alleged that her husband, Sadiq, provided her with SIM cards registered on Truecaller as “Fatima Dikko Radda.”
The EFCC claimed Sadiq also enlisted the help of Ladani Akindele, a former bank colleague, to obtain the contact number of Unity Bank Chairman Hafiz Bashir. Through this connection, the defendants allegedly reached out to bureau de change operator Aminu Usman, from whom they collected a total of ₦197,750,000 under the guise of providing the dollar equivalent.
“The money was said to have been deposited into the bank account of the 3rd defendant, Abdullahi Bala, provided by the first defendant, and the money was allegedly distributed among the four defendants and laundered through various means,” the statement alleged.
The case is set to resume on March 17 for the hearing of the defendants’ bail applications.
EFCC arraigns couple for N197m fraud, impersonating Katsina first lady
metro
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
The Delta State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu in Anambra State, arresting key suspects linked to the case.
Spokesperson SP Bright Edafe disclosed on Sunday that operatives of the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), acting on credible intelligence, apprehended 25-year-old security guard Godwin Mngumi on 6 December 2025. Mngumi allegedly murdered the retired judge, and authorities also recovered the deceased’s mobile phone from him.
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According to Edafe, Mngumi confessed to inviting a friend, Nnaji Obalum, and another accomplice — who remains at large — to the residence where the crime was committed. Obalum has since been arrested, while a manhunt continues for the third suspect.
The arrests mark a major step forward in the effort to bring all perpetrators of the high-profile murder to justice.
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
metro
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
The Delta State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has made significant strides in its ongoing campaign against cultism and violent crimes. Recent operations, including an intelligence-led arms recovery in Abraka and the arraignment of 18 suspects, highlight the command’s intensified enforcement efforts across the state.
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Spokesperson SP Bright Edafe said on Saturday that the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), under ASP Julius Robinson, executed a successful operation on December 6, 2025, targeting cult-related activities and the proliferation of illegal firearms. Acting on credible intelligence, officers conducted a coordinated search at No. 2 Umeghe Community, Abraka, the residence of Isiakpere Friday, 67.
The move underscores the Delta State Police’s commitment to restoring safety and security in communities affected by criminal and cult-related activities.
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
metro
Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
The Nigerian Army has temporarily frozen both statutory and voluntary retirements for certain officers, including Generals, following the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu. The decision aims to bolster manpower as the country faces a surge in kidnappings and worsening insecurity.
The move comes after more than 600 abduction cases were reported in November 2025, including the kidnapping of over 300 students in Niger State, 38 worshippers in Kwara State, and 25 students in Kebbi State.
An internal circular dated December 3 and signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff cited provisions in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (HTACOS) 2024, allowing service extensions “in the interest of the service.” The memo explains that officers usually retire upon reaching age limits, completing 35 years of service, or failing promotion/conversion boards, but these rules can be overridden during national emergencies.
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The suspension affects officers who have:
- Failed promotion examinations three times
- Been passed over repeatedly at promotion boards
- Reached rank age limits
- Failed conversion boards thrice
- Completed 35 years of service
Officers granted extensions will remain in service but will not be eligible for further promotions, courses, secondments, or extra-regimental appointments. Those unwilling to continue can still proceed with standard exit procedures.
Commanders have been instructed to communicate the directive and manage morale across units, with the policy to be reviewed once national security conditions improve.
Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
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