News
Ex-Minister Diezani in court to recover seized assets
Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has asked a Federal High Court, Abuja, to vacate an order granted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for final forfeiture of her seized assets.
Alison-Madueke sought an order extending the time within which to seek leave to apply to the court for an order to set aside the EFCC’s public notice issued to conduct the public sale on her property.
The anti-corruption agency had planned to conduct a public sale of all assets seized from Alison-Madueke beginning from Jan. 9 as contained in its public notice following various court judgments/orders issued in favor of the commission as final forfeiture orders against property and personal effects of the former minister.
But in the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023 dated and filed Jan. 6 by her lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, before Justice Inyang Ekwo, the ex-minister sought five orders from the court.
While Alison-Madueke is the applicant, the EFCC is the sole respondent in the suit.
The former minister who argued that the various orders were made without jurisdiction, said these “ought to be set aside ex debito justitiae.”
She said she was not given fair hearing in all the proceedings leading to the orders.
“The various court orders issued in favor of the respondent and upon which the respondent issued the public notice to conduct a public sale of items contained in the public notice most of which court the interest of the applicant were issued in breach of the applicant’s right to fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as altered, and other similar constitutional provisions,” she said.
She argued that she was neither served with the charge sheet and proof of evidence in any of the charges nor any other summons howsoever and whatsoever in respect of the criminal charges pending against her before the court.
She further argued that the courts were misled into making several of the final forfeiture orders against her assets through suppression or non-disclosure of material facts.
“The several applications upon which the courts made the final order of forfeiture against the applicant were obtained upon gross misstatements, misrepresentations, non-disclosure, concealment, and suppression of material facts and this honorable court has the power to set aside same ex debito justitiae, as a void order is as good as if it was never made at all.
“The orders were made without recourse to the constitutional right to fair hearing and right to property accorded the applicant by the constitution.
“The applicant was never served with the processes of court in all the proceedings that led to the order of final forfeiture,” she said, among other grounds given.
But the EFCC, in a counter affidavit deposed to by Rufai Zaki, a detective with the commission, urged the court to dismiss Alison-Madueke’s application.
Zaki, who was a member of the team that investigated a case of criminal conspiracy, official corruption and money laundering against the ex-minister and some other persons involved in the case, said investigation had clearly shown that she was involved in some acts of criminality.
He said Alison-Madueke was therefore charged before the court in charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018.
“We hereby rely on the charge FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018 dated 14th November 2018 filed before this honorable court and also attached as Exhibit C in the applicant’s affidavit,” he said.
The EFCC operative, who said he had seen the ex-ministers motion, said most of the depositions were untrue.
He said contrary to her deposition in the affidavit in support, most of the cases which led to the final forfeiture of the contested property “were action in rem, same were heard at various times and determined by this honorable court.”
He said the courts differently ordered the commission to do a newspaper publication inviting parties to show cause why the said property should not be forfeited to the Federal Government before final orders were made.
Zaki argued that one Nnamdi Awa Kalu represented the ex-minister in reaction to one of the forfeiture applications.
“We humbly rely on the judgment of Hon. Justice I.LN. Oweibo dated 10th September 2019 shown in Exhibit C of the applicant’s affidavit,” he said.
The officer said that contrary to her, the final forfeiture of the assets which were the subject of the present application was ordered by the court in 2017 and that this was not set aside or upturned on appeal.
According to him, the properties have been disposed of through due process of law.
Upon mentioning the matter on Monday, Alison-Madueke’s counsel, Oluchi Uche, told Justice Ekwo that they were just been served by the EFFC on Friday and they would need time to respond to the counter affidavit.
Farouk Abdullah, who appeared by the anti-graft agency, did not oppose and the judge adjourned the matter until May 8 for a hearing.
Alison-Madueke was Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.(NAN)
News
Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle
PORT HARCOURT – The Rivers State Police Command has paraded two young men arrested over the alleged murder of a commercial motorcycle operator, whose motorcycle they reportedly stole after luring him into a remote forest in the state.
The suspects, identified as 24-year-old Abubakar Sani and 20-year-old Yusuf Magaji, were arrested following an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Emohua.
The police said Sani allegedly confessed to participating in the killing of the victim, identified as Sani Musa, before the suspects escaped with his motorcycle.
Musa, a native of Zago Town in Kafin Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, was reportedly operating as a commercial motorcycle rider in Rivers State before his death.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly lured the rider to a remote forest in Mbiama, Ahoada West Local Government Area, where they attacked and stabbed him to death.
His body was subsequently dumped in thick bushes, while the suspects allegedly fled with his motorcycle.
The police further disclosed that the suspects planned to transport the stolen motorcycle to Kano State through a waybill arrangement, allegedly hoping to evade security checks and conceal the motorcycle’s origin.
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The alleged criminal operation was uncovered at about 1pm on October 22, when police operatives received intelligence that some individuals were dismantling a suspected stolen motorcycle at Choba Motor Park.
Acting on the information, operatives of the VCRU moved to the location and arrested Sani and Magaji, who were both said to be from Kano State.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the murder and subsequently led investigators to the Mbiama forest, where the decomposing remains of the deceased were recovered.
The recovery of the body provided investigators with further evidence in the ongoing investigation into the killing.
The command said arrangements were being made to release the deceased’s remains to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites, following a request by his relatives.
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the murder, identify possible accomplices and ensure that everyone connected to the crime is brought to justice.
The police command reiterated its commitment to combating murder, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across Rivers State.
It also urged residents to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to help prevent criminal activities and improve public safety.
The two suspects are expected to face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle
News
Tinubu’s Aide Challenges Reports of Presidential Convoy Stoning at Abuja Mosque
Tinubu’s Aide Challenges Reports of Presidential Convoy Stoning at Abuja Mosque
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Presidential aide O’tega Ogra has dismissed reports that President Bola Tinubu’s convoy was attacked with stones by angry youths following his attendance at Friday prayers at a mosque in Abuja.
Ogra, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Engagement, Strategy and New Media, described the reports as an opposition-driven narrative, insisting that footage of Tinubu leaving the mosque presented a different picture of what transpired.
The controversy followed the President’s visit to the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, Garki, Abuja, on Friday, November 13, 2026, where he observed the Juma’at prayer.
Shortly after the visit, a video shared by former Kogi West senator and African Democratic Congress chieftain, Dino Melaye, circulated widely on social media, purportedly showing youths throwing stones at a convoy believed to be carrying the President.
Some individuals in the footage were also heard chanting slogans, including “Ba ma yi, ba ma so”, an expression of rejection.
However, Ogra challenged the account, releasing another video showing Tinubu waving to a crowd of youths as he departed the mosque in his official vehicle.
In a post accompanying the footage, the presidential aide accused opposition elements of promoting a misleading account of the incident.
“Contrary to the narrative being pushed by the opposition, with videos of their alleged paid thugs at the National Mosque today, here is footage of Mr President leaving the mosque after Friday prayers this afternoon,” Ogra wrote.
The footage showed the President, dressed in a white outfit and black cap, acknowledging people gathered around his vehicle, with some cheering and taking photographs with their mobile phones.
The conflicting accounts have generated debate over what actually happened during the presidential visit, particularly whether stones were thrown at the convoy.
While reports of hostile chanting have emerged from the scene, the allegation of stone-throwing remains disputed, with no independently verified evidence conclusively establishing that the President or his convoy was struck by stones.
The development comes amid heightened political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Earlier on Friday, Tinubu warned politicians and their supporters against political violence, thuggery and other activities capable of undermining the country’s democratic process.
In a statement personally signed by him, the President said security agencies had been authorised to confront acts of political violence and other anti-democratic activities with full force.
He condemned reported violence at political gatherings across the country, stressing that political campaigns should focus on issues that promote citizens’ welfare and national development.
Tinubu maintained that violence should have no place in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Tinubu’s Aide Challenges Reports of Presidential Convoy Stoning at Abuja Mosque
News
South Africa Releases Fani-Kayode’s Speech After Protest Over Livestream Snub
PRETORIA – The South African authorities have released the speech delivered by Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, after he protested the omission of his address from the official livestream of a diplomatic ceremony attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The development followed complaints by Fani-Kayode that Nigeria was the only country among 15 participating diplomatic missions whose ambassador’s introduction and speech were excluded from the live broadcast of the presentation of Letters of Credence.
The ceremony, held on Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, brought together ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions from 15 countries, alongside the European Union, to formally present their credentials to President Ramaphosa.
Fani-Kayode had expressed displeasure after observing that the official livestream captured the introductions and speeches of other diplomats but was interrupted when it was Nigeria’s turn.
According to the Nigerian envoy, the transmission resumed immediately after he had completed his presentation to the South African President.
Describing the development as disturbing, Fani-Kayode said Nigeria was singled out in the broadcast, raising concerns about the treatment of the country and its diplomatic representation.
“The entire event was livestreamed, but of all the 15 introductions and speeches made that morning, only Nigeria’s was cut out,” he said.
The ambassador suggested that the omission might reflect the attitude of some individuals towards Nigeria, although no independent evidence has established that the country was deliberately censored.
“Clearly, some elements in South Africa do not want to hear what we have to say or see our faces, but we are here to stay as long as we are welcome and have the confidence of President Ramaphosa, which I am sure we do,” he added.
Fani-Kayode Raises Complaint With Ramaphosa
The Nigerian diplomat disclosed that he personally drew President Ramaphosa’s attention to the missing broadcast during the official photograph session that followed the presentation of credentials.
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According to Fani-Kayode, the South African leader reacted immediately, confronted officials responsible for the broadcast and questioned them about why Nigeria’s segment had been omitted.
He said Ramaphosa directed the relevant officials to address the situation.
However, the intervention came after the Nigerian ambassador’s presentation had already been excluded from the live transmission.
Fani-Kayode maintained that the omission did not mean his address was unavailable, as media organisations covering the ceremony, including Nigerian television crews, recorded the proceedings.
He also disclosed that he declined an interview request from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), advising its representatives to watch the speech that had been left out of the official livestream.
The subsequent release of the speech has brought the development into renewed focus, although the circumstances surrounding its initial exclusion from the broadcast have not been independently established.
Tinubu’s Message to Ramaphosa
Despite the controversy, Fani-Kayode used the diplomatic occasion to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening relations with South Africa.
He conveyed fraternal greetings from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Ramaphosa, emphasising the historical relationship between both countries and Nigeria’s contributions to South Africa’s struggle against apartheid.
The ambassador said his diplomatic assignment would focus on rebuilding confidence, addressing areas of disagreement and expanding cooperation between the two African nations.
He identified trade, industrial development, economic cooperation and regional stability as important areas requiring greater collaboration.
Fani-Kayode also stressed that Nigeria and South Africa must maintain mutual respect, given their historical contributions, strategic importance and influence across the African continent.
He acknowledged Ramaphosa’s personal intervention following his complaint but maintained that his respect for South Africa and its people would not prevent him from speaking against actions he considered disrespectful to Nigeria and its citizens.
The diplomatic incident comes amid heightened concerns over the treatment and safety of Nigerians living in South Africa, following reported xenophobic attacks and killings that have strained relations between the two countries.
Fani-Kayode has previously warned that Nigeria’s patience was wearing thin over attacks on its citizens but cautioned against calls for a complete breakdown of diplomatic and economic relations.
The ambassador has consistently advocated dialogue, mutual respect and stronger Pan-African cooperation, arguing that the historical sacrifices made by Nigeria and other African countries towards ending apartheid should remain a foundation for lasting friendship.
With the release of his speech following the protest, attention is now expected to focus on the circumstances surrounding the broadcast omission and the need to ensure that diplomatic engagements involving Nigeria receive appropriate representation.
South Africa Releases Fani-Kayode’s Speech After Protest Over Livestream Snub
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