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NNPC contract: Court freezes account of company linked to Atiku’s son-in-law

Published

2 months ago

October 7, 2025

NNPC contract: Court freezes account of company linked to Atiku’s son-in-law

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of a Fidelity Bank account belonging to Mars Aviation Limited over alleged money laundering activities linked to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Justice Musa Liman, who presided over the case, granted the order following an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1299/2025, was filed on July 1 and moved by Geraldine Ofulue, the EFCC counsel.

Ofulue told the court that the account is under investigation in a case involving alleged criminal misappropriation and money laundering. She prayed the court to freeze the account pending the conclusion of the investigation.

Ruling on the motion, Liman held that the EFCC’s application had merit and accordingly granted the request. Although the order was made on September 22.

The EFCC had asked the court to empower its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, or any other authorised officer to direct the managing director of Fidelity Bank to freeze the account.

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According to the motion, the account number 5250350283 (C03651082) is held by Mars Aviation Limited.

In an affidavit supporting the motion, Abdulganiyu Olayide, an EFCC investigator attached to the commission’s special duties committee, said his team was assigned to probe the matter.

Olayide said the investigation followed intelligence alleging that NNPCL had made several payments to Mars Aviation for purported contracts that were phoney and granted in default of the provisions of the Procurement Act.

He added that preliminary findings revealed that huge sums of money were paid into the company’s Fidelity Bank account by NNPCL in multiple instalments.

The EFCC official said freezing the account was necessary to preserve the funds and prevent any transactions while the investigation continues.

“That I make this affidavit in good faith, believing its contents to be true and correct and in accordance with the Oaths Act,” Olayide said.

There are reports that Mars Aviation Limited is allegedly owned by Abdullahi Bashir-Haske, the founder and group managing director of AA&R. Bashir-Haske is married to the daughter of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

In August, Haske was placed on EFCC’s wanted list over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

Recall that Bashir Bayo Ojulari, group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the NNPCL, has been a subject of money laundering investigations following the alleged transfer of millions of dollars to the AA&R Investment Group’s account.

NNPC contract: Court freezes account of company linked to Atiku’s son-in-law

(TheCable)

Related Topics:account Atiku Featured NNPC NNPCL son-in-law

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Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

Published

2 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Godwin Emefiele

Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has strongly denied allegations linking him to terrorism financing in Nigeria, describing the claims as “mischievous and malicious.”

In a statement released on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Emefiele said the reports were “entirely fabricated, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to malign my name, mislead the public, and sow confusion for motives best known only to the publishers and their sponsors.”

He emphasized that the fight against terrorism is too important to be trivialized by irresponsible reporting, warning that Nigerians deserve accurate information rather than “reckless misinformation.”

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“Throughout my service to the nation and in my private life, at no time have I been involved in any activity remotely connected to terrorism, terrorist financing, or any action that threatens the peace and security of our nation,” Emefiele stated. He added that he has never been invited, questioned, or investigated regarding such allegations and has no connection to the individual cited in the media reports.

“There is no scintilla of truth in the allegation,” he said, urging the public to disregard the claims entirely and calling on media organizations to verify facts before publishing sensational stories.

Emefiele’s statement seeks to reaffirm his reputation and distances him from any activities undermining national security.

Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

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Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

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3 hours ago

December 6, 2025

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Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday inaugurated the newly constructed multi-million-naira Juma’at Mosque located within the Emir of Gumel’s Palace in Jigawa State.

According to a statement by Zainab Rabo, Senior Special Assistant on Media Affairs to Governor Umar Namadi, the event drew high-level dignitaries, including top politicians, first-class emirs, captains of industry, and prominent Islamic scholars from across the country.

Rabo disclosed that the mosque was built by the Kashim Shettima Foundation, adding that Governor Umar A. Namadi and the Sultan of Sokoto graced the ceremony.

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During the occasion, the Vice President congratulated the Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani, on marking 45 years on the throne, describing the milestone as a blessing and testament to exemplary leadership.

Shettima also reaffirmed his commitment—through his foundation—to initiatives that would improve the lives of Nigerians.

The Vice President further commended Governor Namadi for his notable strides in modern agriculture, noting that Jigawa’s progress under his leadership had positioned the state competitively within Nigeria and beyond.

“Governor Namadi is equal to the task, looking at his two-year achievements and the way he transformed Jigawa in modern agriculture,” Shettima stated.

Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

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Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

Published

3 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun

Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has deployed a Special Enforcement Team in Lagos to enforce President Bola Tinubu’s directive ending the use of police officers as escorts and guards for Very Important Persons (VIPs).

The operation, according to a statement posted on the Force’s official X account on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, commenced at about 10:00 a.m. on December 6, 2025, across key locations in Lagos State.

Hundeyin confirmed that the team carried out compliance checks at major points, including the Lekki–Ikoyi Link Bridge, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport domestic terminal, and other strategic hotspots within the state.

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He disclosed that officers found “satisfactory and commendable” compliance with the presidential directive, with no incidents of unauthorised police escort and no arrests recorded.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reiterates the Force’s commitment to the full implementation of the presidential directive,” the statement said. “The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in redeploying its personnel to core policing duties aimed at enhancing general security, crime prevention, and the protection of lives and property nationwide.”

Hundeyin added that enforcement would continue across the country “without fear or favour,” urging Nigerians to support the push for a more professional and citizen-focused policing system.

President Tinubu had, on November 23, ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection, directing that they be reassigned to frontline policing roles. According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, VIP protection will now be handled by armed operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The policy aims to free up police manpower for critical security operations, particularly in underserved communities, and enhance overall national security efficiency.