EFCC, EIRS Collaborate To Tackles Tax Fraud In Edo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Edo State Internal Revenue Services have agreed to collaborate in combating tax fraud in the state.

This agreement was reached on Thursday May 7, 2026, when the Chairman of Edo State Internal Revenue Service, John Odior paid a courtesy visit to the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission on Thursday May 7, 2026.

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The EIRS boss disclosed that he was at the Commission to explore areas of collaboration and deepen the relationship between the two organisations.

He noted that collaboration with the EFCC has become imperative in order to bring in those who evade taxes, pay little and those who are not captured into the tax net.

“When you arrest a suspect, ask for evidence of their tax payment or tax clearance. You can write to us to find out whether the person has been paying tax or not, and we shall provide you with the information.” He noted that through such information sharing more people will be captured into the tax net and improve the revenue drive of the state government.

Responding, the Ag Zonal Director, Benin Zonal Directorate, Deputy Commander of the EFCC, DCE Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, said the Commission has been collaborating with the EIRS and was willing to continue noting that the Commission has a section that deals with tax matters. “We have a Tax Fraud Section which deals with issues of taxes.

EFCC

The Commission recognises its importance as a source of revenue for the government and we ensure that those who try to evade tax payment face the consequence of their action! He assured the EIRS boss that the Commission’s door will always be open to them.

“You can call on us anytime you have anything to share with us and we shall respond accordingly.”

Court Convicts Saleh Mamman Over N33.8bn Fraud In Abuja

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, May 7, 2026 convicted a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman on 12- count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N33.8billion

The former minister, who was absent in court, was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503,73( Thirty Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy Three kobo)

Count one of the charges reads:

“That you, SALEH MAMIVIAN {Male), sometime in 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Court, whilst you were the Minister of Power conspired with other officials of your Ministry and some private companies to indirectly convert the total sum of =N=33,804,830,503.73

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{Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, and Seventy-Three Kobo) through various private companies which sums you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity, to wit: criminal breach of trust in relation to the funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects by the Federal Government of Nigeria; and you thereby commit an offence contrary to Sections 18(a), 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 {as Amended), and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

Count two reads:

“That you, SALEH MAMMAN (Male), sometime in December 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Court, conspired with SAMSON BITRUS to make a cash payment of US$665, 700:00 (Six Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand and Seven Hundred United States Dollars) to MOHIBA INVESTMENT LTD (acting through Mohammed Asheik Jidda), without going through a financial institution, and that you thereby commit an offence contrary to Sections 1 and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended), and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”

Justice Omotosho had slated the judgment for Thursday after parties in the case were duly served with hearing notices.

However, when the matter was called, the ex-minister was not in court.

Defence counsel, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that, although his team was duly informed that the matter would be coming up for judgment on Thursday, they had been unable to get in touch with him.

“My Lord, the defendant is not in court. We received a message that the matter is for judgment, and it was delivered on Tuesday.

“Since then, we have been trying to reach him (Mr Mamman), but all efforts made have not been successful. But yesterday, one of his associates informed us that he is indisposed,” he said

EFCC Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, confirmed that the prosecution received the hearing notice and that judgment was scheduled for Thursday. He faulted Ahmed’s claim that Mamman was ill, stressing that there was no evidence to back up his submissions.

The prosecution lawyer said that under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, the court has the discretionary power to proceed with the judgment.

After lengthy arguments between the prosecution and defence counsel, Justice Omotosho frowned at Ahmed’s back and forth on the whereabouts of the former minister

“The defendant is not here, and there is no medical report to back this. We are all ministers in the temple of justice counsel,” the judge said.

Mr Oyedepo then urged the court to proceed with the judgment.

Court

Justice Omotosho eventually handed down the judgment, convicting Mamman of the 12-count charges of money laundering. He also deferred his sentence to May 13, 2026 because the former Minister was not physically present in court.

To preempt his escape from the country before being sentenced, Oyedepo applied for a bench warrant for his arrest so as to be produced in court and the prayer was answered.

NPF Arrests Eight Suspected Kidnappers, Recovers Arms In Nasarawa

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in its sustained efforts against kidnapping and violent crimes with the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers following a coordinated security operation in Rukubi Community, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The operation followed a distress report received in the early hours of 7th May 2026 regarding an attack carried out by armed hoodlums who invaded the community on the night of 6th May 2026, shooting sporadically and causing panic among residents.

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During the attack, the assailants reportedly stormed the residences of two residents and abducted two victims to an unknown destination.

Upon receipt of the report, police operatives of the Nasarawa State Command, in collaboration with other security agencies and local community youths, swiftly mobilized to the area and launched coordinated operations which led to the arrest of eight suspects linked to the incident.

The suspects include: Adamu Alfa, Muhammed Alfa, Shuaibu Alfa, Usman Alfa, Ali Alfa, Isa Alfa, Adamu Alfa, and Ja’afaru Alfa, all from Rugan Alhaji Alfa, Rukubi Village.

During the operation, security operatives recovered two AK-47 rifles, four Bajaj motorcycles, and two expended 7.62mm ammunition shells connected to the attack.

The Force further confirmed that one of the suspects sustained fatal injuries during the encounter and was later confirmed dead while receiving medical treatment.

Police

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, commended the gallantry and professionalism displayed by the operatives involved in the operation, describing the success as a strong demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and inter-agency collaboration in combating violent crimes, while also appreciating the invaluable support of sister security agencies , local vigilante groups, community youths, and residents whose cooperation significantly contributed to the successful outcome of the operation.

DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID, psc(+), mnipr,mni, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, 7th May 2026