EFCC Re-Arraigns Two Over Alleged £110,000 Money Laundering, ₦500m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned two men, Ali Bala, also known as Barrister Ahmed, and Yusuf Umar Anka, over alleged financial crimes involving £110,000 and ₦500 million in Lagos.

The defendants were brought before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja on Wednesday.

They are facing a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering, stealing and retention of stolen property. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The EFCC alleged that Bala and Anka, sometime in 2025 in Lagos, conducted financial transactions involving proceeds of unlawful activities in an attempt to disguise the source of £110,000 allegedly stolen.

The commission also alleged that the defendants were involved in financial transactions involving ₦500 million, which it described as proceeds of unlawful activities.

The alleged money laundering offence was said to contravene Section 7(1)(b)(i) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

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Another allegation cited in reports from the proceedings was that Bala and Anka converted ₦500 million belonging to Salihu Muhammed to their personal use between July and August 2025. The alleged offence was said to contravene Sections 280(1)(a) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Following their pleas, EFCC prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, urged the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendants in a correctional facility.

Defence lawyers, however, indicated that their clients were interested in plea bargaining while their bail applications were pending.

Justice Abike-Fadipe subsequently adjourned the matter until December 16, 2026, for further proceedings and hearing of the bail applications.

The judge also ordered that the defendants remain in custody pending the next proceedings.

The allegations against Bala and Anka have not been proven in court. Both defendants pleaded not guilty and remain presumed innocent unless convicted by a competent court.

EFCC Re-Arraigns Two Over Alleged £110,000 Money Laundering, ₦500m Fraud

Bandits Kill Three in Fresh Attack on Kebbi Community

Three people have been killed after bandits attacked Kasabo community in Saminaka, Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The attackers reportedly stormed the community in the early hours of Monday, sending residents fleeing into nearby bushes for safety.

A resident, Aminu Salisu, said the bandits arrived in large numbers, but many residents escaped before the attackers could reach them.

He said the assailants nevertheless succeeded in killing three people before withdrawing from the community.

The attack has renewed concerns over the security situation in parts of Kebbi State, particularly communities close to the Kebbi-Niger border that have faced attacks by armed groups.

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Governor Nasir Idris visited the affected community on Tuesday to sympathise with the families of the victims and other residents.

The governor described the killings as tragic and unacceptable, assuring residents that his administration would continue to strengthen collaboration with security agencies to protect lives and property.

He also provided financial assistance to the affected community and the families of those killed.

The Dan Masani of Saminaka, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir, described the deaths as a major loss to the community and expressed appreciation for the governor’s visit and support.

The latest attack comes amid intensified security efforts in Kebbi. The Nigerian Army recently operationalised three new formations in the state, including the 281 Tank Battalion in Yauri, as part of efforts to expand its presence and improve response to banditry and other security threats.

Security agencies are expected to intensify operations in the affected areas following the latest attack.

Bandits Kill Three in Fresh Attack on Kebbi Community

Amnesty Demands Reinstatement of Plateau Defilement Case Involving Four-Year-Old

Amnesty International Nigeria has demanded the immediate reinstatement of a defilement case involving a four-year-old child in Plateau State, after the state authorities discontinued the prosecution despite a subsisting bench warrant against the defendant.

The organisation made the demand in Jos on Wednesday, describing the withdrawal of the case as a serious concern for child protection and access to justice.

Amnesty International Nigeria’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, said the case was before the Plateau State High Court in Jos and involved a defendant who allegedly failed repeatedly to appear in court.

According to Sanusi, the court subsequently issued a bench warrant for the defendant’s arrest, but the warrant remained unexecuted.

He said prosecutors from the office of the Plateau State Attorney-General discontinued the criminal proceedings in May 2026 by invoking Section 211 of the 1999 Constitution, which gives an Attorney-General the power to discontinue criminal proceedings.

Sanusi argued that the constitutional power must be exercised in the public interest, in the interest of justice and to prevent abuse of legal process.

Amnesty is therefore asking the Plateau State Government to reverse the discontinuance and restore the case to the High Court.

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The organisation also called on the police to execute the outstanding bench warrant so that the defendant can be brought before the court.

Sanusi stressed that the organisation was not declaring the defendant guilty, but insisted that the allegations should be determined through due judicial process.

Amnesty also urged Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Daffi, SAN, to intervene and provide a transparent explanation for the decision to discontinue the case.

The prosecution counsel, Stella Samuel, said the legal team had been ready to proceed with the trial and had witnesses and evidence available before the case was withdrawn.

She said the defendant had failed to appear in court from the first hearing in February 2026 despite being served, leading to the issuance of the bench warrant.

Samuel urged the Attorney-General to reinstate the case, arguing that the matter remained capable of being prosecuted.

The development has also attracted concern from civil society organisations in Plateau State, which have called for the case to proceed.

The Let The Case Proceed Campaign said the withdrawal had raised questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in protecting children and ensuring accountability in cases involving alleged sexual violence.

Amnesty International said it had previously engaged the Attorney-General’s office over the matter and also petitioned the governor.

The organisation said it received a response referring to the Attorney-General’s constitutional powers but maintained that the explanation did not adequately address its concerns about the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal.

The case has renewed debate over the exercise of prosecutorial powers, particularly in cases involving alleged sexual violence against children.

While Section 211 provides constitutional authority for an Attorney-General to discontinue criminal proceedings, rights advocates insist that such powers must be exercised consistently with the requirements of public interest and justice.

The defendant remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court, and the demand by Amnesty and other groups is for the judicial process to be allowed to determine the allegations.

Amnesty Demands Reinstatement of Plateau Defilement Case Involving Four-Year-Old