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March 23: Court To Delivers Judgment On Alleged N320m  Mutu Nicholas’ Fraud

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March 23: Court To Delivers Judgment On Alleged N320m  Mutu Nicholas’ Fraud

March 23: Court to delivers judgment on alleged N320m  Mutu Nicholas’ fraud. Justice F. Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja on Monday, February 9, 2026 slated March 23, 2026 for delivery of judgment in the trial of Nicholas Mutu, a serving member of the Federal House of Representatives.

Mutu is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside Airworld Technologies Ltd and Oyien Homes on 13- count charges of money laundering and gratification to the tune of N320 million.

At Monday’s  proceedings, counsel to the first and third defendants, E. I. Ekweto, SAN drew the attention of the court to a motion filed on December 10, 2035 on eight grounds in support of a written address where he urged the court to strike out the case and acquit the defendants.

In response, counsel to the prosecution, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN informed the court of his motion, dated January 28, 2026, adopting the final written addresses, in which he stated that the prosecution has proved its case against the defendants with testimonies from four witnesses and tendering of documents that showed that the funds involved were proceeds of illegal activities.

“The testimonies of the witnesses pointed to the fact that these monies were paid as gratifications. There was no time that suggestions were made that the payments that were made were in respect of a contract. Witnesses whose testimonies were not contradicted and uncontroverted show that there is no way that their evidence can’t be believed”

Adamawa

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“More importantly is the attempt to prepare documents to pervert the course of justice in the cause of the proceedings. The issue about the origin of the money as raised by defence counsel, is not about the money being paid to Starlines from NDDC, but rather the payment to Starlines at the instance of the first defendant.

That is where the unlawful activity sets in as testified by PW1 and PW2. So,  my lord, we have reacted to all their submissions in our written addresses and we urge the honourable court to hold that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and to convict the defendants,” he said.
Justice Ogunbanjo adjourned the matter till March 23, 2026 for delivery of judgment.

Crime

EFCC Arrests Suspects, Uncovers Alleged Employment Scam Syndicate In Ilorin

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EFCC

EFCC Arrests Suspects, Uncovers Alleged Employment Scam Syndicate In Ilorin

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC has arrested one Bolaji Kazeem Akinwunmi, popularly known as “Bolaji Original,” for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting job seekers of the sum of ₦2,921,700 (Two Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira Only).

EFCC

EFCC

Akinwunmi was arrested alongside his accomplice and former lover, Kemisola Mary Akinbo. Investigations revealed that Akinwunmi, at different times, posed as an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service, falsely claiming he had access to employment slots for interested applicants.

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EFCC Re- Arraigns Nadabo Energy Boss, Ali Peters, Firm In Lagos In Alleged N1.4bn Oil Fraud

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Kwara Ex-Governor Ahmed

EFCC Re- Arraigns Nadabo Energy Boss, Ali Peters, Firm In Lagos In Alleged N1.4bn Oil Fraud

Alleged N1.4bn Oil Fraud. The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, re-arraigned Nadabo Energy Boss, Abubakar Ali Peters, for an alleged N1.4 billion oil fraud before Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja.

Peters alongside his company, Nadabo Energy Limited, was previously standing trial before Justice C.A. Balogun of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja.

However, the matter was re-assigned to Justice Ijelu, following Justice Balogun’s retirement.

The defendants are being prosecuted by the EFCC on a 27-count charge bordering on the alleged use of forged documents to obtain the sum of N1,464,961,978.24 from the Federal Government as oil subsidy.

One of the counts reads: “Nadabo Energy Limited and Abubakar Ali Peters, on or about the 3rd day of April, 2012, at Lagos, within the Lagos Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, fraudulently obtained the sum of N978,401,732.09 (Nine Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million Four Hundred and One Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty-two Naira Nine Kobo) from the Federal Government of Nigeria by falsely claiming that the sum represented subsidy accrued to Nadabo Energy Limited under the Petroleum Support Fund for the importation of 19,488,992 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which Nadabo Energy Limited purported to have purchased from Ashland SA Geneva Switzerland, and transported the 19,488,992 litres of PMS through MT American Express (Mother Vessel) and MT St. Vanessa (Daughter Vessel) to Nigeria, whereas Nadabo Energy Limited only imported 6,505,140.04 litres of PMS to Nigeria through MT Evridiki (Mother Vessel) and MT St Vanessa (Daughter Vessel).”

Another count reads: “Nadabo Energy Limited and Abubakar Ali Peters, on or about the 25th day of October 2011, at Lagos, within the Lagos Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, and in order to facilitate your obtaining money by false pretence from the Federal Government of Nigeria under the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF), forged a document titled: Certificate of Marine Insurance no. 0047851 and purported the Marine Insurance certificate to have been issued by Staco Insurance Plc to Nadabo Energy Limited.”

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against him.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, S.K. Atteh, asked for a trial date and also prayed that the defendant be reminded in a Correctional centre.

Responding, defence counsel, E.O. Isiramen, objected to the prosecution’s prayer for the remand of the defendant.

He argued that the defendant was granted bail on December 19, 2012, and had perfected the bail conditions.

He also submitted that his client had never jumped bail since then, and prayed the court to allow the defendant to continue on his existing bail.

Kwara Ex-Governor Ahmed

Fraud

Justice Ijelu ruled that the defendant should continue on the existing bail.

The sureties were ordered to appear in court on the next adjourned date to undertake that they would continue to act as his sureties.

The judge also ordered the lawyer to sign an undertaking to produce the defendant on the next adjourned date.

The matter was adjourned till May 19, 20 and 21, 2026 for the commencement of trial.

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High Court Grants Final Forfeiture Of N3bn, Properties Linked To NNPC Official

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Teenager

High Court Grants Final Forfeiture Of N3bn, Properties Linked To NNPC Official

Justice J.O Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 has granted the final forfeiture of N3,444,000.,000 ( Three Billion, Four hundred and Forty Four Million Naira) and three properties linked to Salihu Nuhu Jamari while serving as the Managing Director of, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC’s Gas and Power Investment Company Limited.

The properties include ; an uncompleted six bedroom semi-detached duplex, with boys’ quarters at Plot 3168, Asokoro District, Abuja, a two bedroom flat, block 2, apartment AI, block, EFG, Orsborne II, Ikoyi, Lagos and a restaurant located at plot 102 cadastral zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.

The judge gave the order, following a motion on notice filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on March 17, 2026 through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN.

The court had on February 25, 2026, granted an interim forfeiture order, directing that the publication of the same be made in a national newspaper for any interested party to show cause why the said exhibits should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.

The said money ( Three Billion, Four hundred and Forty Four Million Naira) forms part of a case of conspiracy, kickbacks, bribery and money laundering, involving the staff and contractors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) wherein the name of one Salihu Nuhu Jamari featured prominently through a petition dated April 28, 2025.

Teenager

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Upon receipt of the petition, several investigative activities were carried out where it was discovered that Jamari, while serving as Managing Director of NGPIC used his influence through his private companies namely: Cumulus Energy Limited and Pius and Phillips Petroleum Limited wherein he is a director and signatory to the accounts, received kickbacks from three contractors that were awarded three major projects from NNPCL.

Justice Abdulmalik, after considering the application, held that it had merit and ordered the final forfeiture of the assets to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

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