metro
Fake Agency Director Blew N400m on Cars, Relatives, Luxury Items – Police
Fake Agency Director Blew N400m on Cars, Relatives, Luxury Items – Police
The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered how Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who posed as Director-General of a fictitious Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) and Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), squandered N400 million on vehicles, family members, and luxury items. The investigation also revealed that he obtained an additional N100 million loan from a microfinance bank to sustain his extravagant lifestyle .
The Nigeria Police Force has conducted a comprehensive investigation into a case of alleged criminal conspiracy, forgery, impersonation, obtaining money under false pretences, theft of public funds, and money laundering , following a petition from the Chief of Staff to the President that exposed the activities of fraudsters operating within government circles. The probe was initiated following a written petition dated October 17, 2025, from Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, addressed to the Director-General of the Department of State Services and copied to the Inspector-General of Police . The petition drew attention to the activities of fraudsters forwarding official appointment letters purportedly from the Chief of Staff’s office, a revelation that prompted immediate security intervention and a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
The Inspector-General of Police directed the IGP-Monitoring Unit to investigate the case, setting in motion a chain of events that would uncover the full extent of the deception . The unit immediately commenced investigation and arrested the principal suspect, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who claimed to be Director-General of a fictitious Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC)/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) , on October 27, 2025 . His statement was obtained under caution, in which he claimed he received the fake appointment letter from one Babatunde Dolapo Tanimola, who is now deceased, a convenient explanation that would later be contradicted by forensic evidence . The suspect was subsequently charged to Court in November 2025 for criminal conspiracy and forgery, but the investigation was far from complete as more evidence continued to emerge. A second petition from the Chief of Staff dated June 29, 2026, was referred to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre for discreet investigation and report . The investigation team obtained voluntary statements from the complainant and seven witnesses, along with cautionary statements from 22 suspects whose names emerged during the investigation, revealing the extensive network of individuals who had been drawn into the fraudulent scheme . The team also forwarded specimen signatures of the complainant and one Mr. Segun Imohiosen for forensic analysis, a critical step that would prove decisive in establishing the forgery .
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Analysis of the suspect’s World Entrepreneurs Nigeria Ltd, GTBank account No. 0695674387 revealed that the suspect received a total of N380 million in four tranches from Divine Dopacy Nigeria Ltd, a company owned by Oyekunle Gbenga Collins, who was allegedly lured by the suspect to part with the funds under the false pretence of facilitating the award of a N2.8 billion contract for the renovation of an official residence purportedly allocated to the suspect by the EFCC . Collins had been promised a N2.8 billion contract for the renovation of an official residence purportedly allocated to the suspect by the EFCC, a promise that proved entirely fictitious . The payments were made between May and July 2025: N100 million on May 16, another N100 million on May 22, a third N100 million on May 28, and N80 million on June 20, 2025, demonstrating the systematic nature of the fraud . Further analysis on the account revealed that the suspect used the proceeds for the purchase of two personal vehicles and transferred large sums to his personal accounts and family members, revealing the true destination of the funds he had fraudulently obtained . This directly contradicted Adeyemi’s claim that he converted the total N400 million to USD and handed it over to the complainant through the late Babatunde Dolapo Tanimola, exposing his lies about the fate of the money . Analysis conducted on the suspect’s Sunshine Confectionery and Catering Services Access Bank Plc Account No. 1379777557 revealed that the suspect received N20 million from the same Divine Dopacy Nigeria Ltd on July 29, 2025, bringing the total fraudulently obtained funds to N400 million . The suspect also laundered the proceeds through personal expenses and donations, again contradicting his claim about the funds being converted to dollars and proving that he had systematically defrauded his victims . Police investigations revealed that Adeyemi also obtained an N100 million loan from a microfinance bank to sustain his high-end lifestyle, indicating that even the substantial proceeds from his fraudulent activities were insufficient to fund his lavish spending habits .
Response letter from Handwriting Experts dated March 18, 2026, confirmed that the signatures on the disputed documents are not the same as the signature of the complainant, proving the purported letters of appointment were forged and not issued by the Chief of Staff, thereby dismantling Adeyemi’s claims of legitimacy . One Mr. Segun Imohiosen, the former Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, confirmed that he did not sign the purported Mandate and Terms of Reference for the pioneering office of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council dated January 6, 2025, further exposing the extent of the forgery and the lengths to which the suspect had gone to create an elaborate web of deception . The police investigation identified five top government officials who played a major role in facilitating the commission of the offences, individuals whose negligence or complicity enabled the fraud to succeed . They have been recommended for trial depending on the opinion of the Director of Public Prosecution, meaning they could face legal consequences for their roles in the scandal . The officials include two directors in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, a Special Assistant in the Budget Office, an Assistant Director with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and a seconded staff from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation . The report stated: “Investigation further revealed that some key staff of ministries and agencies played a major role in facilitating the commission of the offences” , confirming that institutional failures had enabled the fraud to persist . The ICPC’s investigation separately identified weaknesses in verification procedures, inter-agency coordination, and internal controls in these MDAs that were exploited by the suspect, pointing to systemic issues that needed to be addressed to prevent similar frauds in the future .
The suspect successfully smuggled forged documents to the Offices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of Service of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, convincing multiple government agencies of his legitimacy through a combination of forged paperwork and personal charm . Staff in these offices negligently processed and approved all requests made by the suspect, leading to the fictitious agency receiving an Administrative Code, office space at the Federal Secretariat, official vehicles, Authorized Establishment, Administrative Waiver to recruit 300 staff, Secondment of Officers, opening of two accounts with the CBN (USD and GBP), Provisional Self-Accounting Status, and inclusion in the 2026 Appropriation budget . The report noted that staff in these offices failed to conduct due diligence, thereby allowing the forged documents smuggled by the principal suspect to get approvals, a failure that has now been identified as a major weakness in government administrative processes . The ICPC, in its separate investigation ordered by President Bola Tinubu on July 7, 2026, uncovered two additional fictitious government agencies allegedly created by Adeyemi: the FCT Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency/Public-Private Partnership (FIPA-PPP) . The suspect used fake legislative instruments styled as enabling Acts to facilitate their creation and relied on them to open bank accounts, further demonstrating the scale and sophistication of his fraudulent enterprise .
Fake Agency Director Blew N400m on Cars, Relatives, Luxury Items – Police
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metro
Oyo Kidnapping Murders: Ansaru Suspects Push Back in Court, Demand Private Lawyer Before Facing Fresh Charges
Oyo Kidnapping Murders: Ansaru Suspects Push Back in Court, Demand Private Lawyer Before Facing Fresh Charges
A planned judicial showdown over a deadly school raid in Oyo State took an unexpected turn Wednesday when five accused Ansaru militants refused government legal aid, forcing a 24-hour delay in their trial.
The suspects, identified under several battlefield aliases including Abu Bara’a, Isah Adam, Abu Khalifa, Abu Yunusa Bin Musa, and Abu Itisar, stand accused of orchestrating the May 15 terror raid in Oriire, where pupils and their teachers were seized, and two captives were murdered.
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- Benue: Two Police Officers Killed as Gunmen Ambush DPO’s Convoy in Ayilamo
When the Federal High Court prepared to read the DSS’s amended six-count charge sheet, court-appointed counsel Akilaluyel Shettima stood to represent the men. However, lead defendant Mahmud Muhammad abruptly interjected, informing Justice Salim Ibrahim that the group would not proceed without their chosen attorney, Bala Dakum.
Rather than force the arraignment, government prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, conceded the point on fundamental rights grounds, affirming that a defendant’s choice of legal defense remains a non-negotiable constitutional protection.
Following the concession, Justice Ibrahim adjourned the session until September 17, ordering the secret police to provide the five men immediate access to Dakum so their defense can be finalized ahead of the fresh plea.
Oyo Kidnapping Murders: Ansaru Suspects Push Back in Court, Demand Private Lawyer Before Facing Fresh Charges
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metro
Benue: Two Police Officers Killed as Gunmen Ambush DPO’s Convoy in Ayilamo
Benue: Two Police Officers Killed as Gunmen Ambush DPO’s Convoy in Ayilamo
Two newly deployed Mobile Police officers have been killed after suspected armed herders ambushed the convoy of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ayilamo Police Division in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attack occurred at about 6pm on Monday, September 14, 2026, as the DPO was returning to Ayilamo from Makurdi, where he had travelled on official duty.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed that two officers in the DPO’s entourage were killed in the ambush. Their identities had not been publicly released as of the latest reports.
The latest incident occurred just four days after another deadly attack on Ayilamo in which four Mobile Police officers and seven civilians were killed, according to the police.
The earlier attack began at about 6:12pm on Thursday, September 10, when suspected armed bandits invaded the community. Police Mobile Force personnel, tactical teams and conventional police officers responded and engaged the attackers in a gun battle that lasted about seven hours.
The police said the security personnel eventually repelled the attackers, forcing them to withdraw into surrounding forests in the early hours of September 11. The bodies of the four slain officers and seven civilians were subsequently recovered.
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The four officers killed in that earlier attack were identified as Paul Ina, Mohammed Yusuf, Oge Ikechukwu and Edeh Andrew.
Residents gave a different account of the attackers, with some alleging that a large number of suspected armed herders entered the community from the direction of Alufu Road in neighbouring Taraba State. They also reported shootings and the burning of houses during the assault.
The police, however, have generally referred to the attackers as suspected armed bandits, while the identities and affiliations of those responsible have not been conclusively established.
The latest ambush brings the number of police officers killed in attacks around Ayilamo within four days to six, based on the police-confirmed casualties from the two incidents.
Residents have expressed concern over the presence of armed men in forests and abandoned settlements around Tombo Council Ward, where Ayilamo is located.
The repeated violence has renewed concerns about the safety of residents and security personnel in Logo Local Government Area, particularly communities located close to forested areas and routes vulnerable to armed ambushes.
The Ayilamo Police Station was upgraded to a divisional headquarters in August 2025 as part of efforts to strengthen police response in vulnerable communities across Benue.
Despite the upgrade and increased security presence, Ayilamo has continued to experience deadly attacks, highlighting the security challenges confronting communities in the area.
The Benue Police Command had earlier announced the deployment of additional tactical personnel following the September 10 attack. The command also said it was working with other security agencies to strengthen operations and protect residents in affected communities.
There was also a development concerning the welfare of police families following the recent deaths.
On Tuesday, September 15, the Benue State Police Command presented insurance cheques to families of police officers who had died in the line of duty.
Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu, while presenting the cheques in Makurdi, conveyed the condolences of Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu to the bereaved families.
He said the financial benefits could not replace the lives lost but were intended to provide some relief and support, particularly for the welfare of the officers’ children.
Meanwhile, authorities have not publicly announced the identities of those responsible for the latest ambush or disclosed arrests directly connected to the September 14 attack.
There have, however, been arrests linked to the earlier September 10 Ayilamo attack. Governor Hyacinth Alia recently commended the Department of State Services (DSS) over the arrest of three suspects allegedly connected with that attack.
The arrests relate to the earlier incident and do not by themselves establish that the same suspects carried out the latest ambush.
The two attacks within four days have increased pressure on security agencies to intensify surveillance and operations around Ayilamo and surrounding forested areas.
The latest killings have also highlighted the risks faced by police officers deployed to conflict-prone and remote communities, where armed groups can exploit difficult terrain and isolated settlements.
The investigation into the latest Benue attack is expected to focus on identifying the attackers, establishing how the DPO’s convoy was ambushed and preventing further attacks on security personnel and civilians in Logo LGA.
Benue: Two Police Officers Killed as Gunmen Ambush DPO’s Convoy in Ayilamo
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International
Pope Leo XIV Warns Against Letting AI Make Human Decisions
Pope Leo XIV Warns Against Letting AI Make Human Decisions
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has prompted a fresh warning from Pope Leo XIV, who says some decisions should never be handed over to algorithms.
The Pope made the remarks at his weekly audience in St Peter’s Square, where he addressed thousands of faithful and reflected on the impact of technology on modern human interaction.
While acknowledging that AI, social media and other forms of technological development can reduce barriers and connect people across great distances, he said they also carry a risk of making human relationships increasingly virtual.
His particular concern was the possibility that society could become accustomed to allowing algorithms to determine matters that should instead be guided by human conscience.
“Ensuring that social relationships have real substance and personal depth” is one way the Christian community seeks to respond to this challenge, he said.
The comments come amid broader concerns about the direction of AI development. Recent security incidents, along with the growing ability of some AI systems to improve their own performance without human intervention, have intensified debate about the technology.
Another major question is whether companies and organisations within the AI sector are capable of regulating themselves effectively as the technology becomes more powerful.
The Pope has previously made AI a major focus of his public interventions. His first major document, the May encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas”, urged efforts to prevent AI from becoming a force that dominates humanity.
The Holy See has also become more active in calls for international rules governing AI, grounding its position in the protection of human dignity. Its initiatives have extended to discussions involving nuclear technology, culture and artistic creation.
The latest warning places the Vatican’s concerns within a wider debate over how humanity should balance the benefits of increasingly powerful AI with the need to keep important decisions under human control.
Pope Leo XIV Warns Against Letting AI Make Human Decisions
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