Kaduna EFCC, KADGIS In Closer Collaboration Against Graft

Kaduna EFCC, KADGIS in closer collaboration against graft. The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, re-affirms its commitment to strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders in the fight against corruption during a strategic meeting with the management of the Kaduna Geographic Information System (KADGIS).

The statement was made by the Acting Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, ACE I Muhammad Ghali, ably represented by the Head of Investigation, ACE II Paul Okoli, led the Commission’s delegation to the meeting.

The visit commenced with formal introductions by members of both delegations, which set the tone for a constructive engagement and renewed synergy.

Speaking during the meeting, Okoli emphasized the importance of sustaining co-operation between the Commission and KADGIS, particularly in matters relating to land administration and property transactions stressing the need for both institutions to work closely as partners in addressing corrupt practices associated with land matters. He further underscored the importance of adherence to the oath of office, confidentiality, clarity in processes, and collective responsibility in ensuring that the nation thrives.

The Commission also commended the management of KADGIS for its continued collaboration, improved communication channels, and timely responses to requests from the EFCC, noting that such responsiveness enhances effective investigation and case management.

In his response, the Director General of KADGIS, Engr. Bashir Garba Ibrahim, reiterated that the fight against corruption is a collective responsibility requiring institutional partnership. He disclosed that the agency inherited over 4,000 revocation cases upon assumption of office and that its management has taken deliberate steps to address them.

According to him, several cases have been resolved administratively, some settled in court, while others have been reinstated in accordance with due process.

He also noted that the steady appreciation in land value in Kaduna State underscores the need for stronger collaboration between both institutions to curb emerging fraudulent activities, particularly through trainings aimed at equipping Commission staff with the requisite skills to detect and effectively address such matters. Ibrahim further assured the Commission of improved synergy, timely provision of information.

The Director General also stated that the management is undertaking systemic upgrades, including comprehensive file reviews and enhanced bottom-to-top information flow, with readiness to grant the Commission access to relevant records where necessary.

EFCC

He revealed that the agency has received over 250 cases currently under review and investigation, highlighting concerns over the prevalence of fake land documents and fraudulent transactions involving non-existent properties. He stressed that curtailing such practices would protect citizens from losing their hard-earned resources and contribute significantly to government’s anti-corruption efforts.

The meeting concluded with renewed assurances of cooperation and a shared commitment to intensify efforts toward promoting transparency, accountability, and national development through intentionality, consistency, and effective communication.

Both institutions agreed to sustain periodic reviews of resolved and pending cases to further strengthen operational synergy.

Judge Giwa-Ogunbanjo Warns Defence Counsel, Threatens Bail Revocation Over Witness Interference

Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State has issued strong warning to a defence counsel, Barrister Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo, for constantly interfering with the prosecution witnesses by harassing and intimidating them within and outside the court premises.

Nwobodo is being prosecuted by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a five-count charge bordering on forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N12,000,000.00 (Twelve million Naira). The defendant, who announced legal representation for himself upon arraignment, pleaded not guilty, thereby setting the stage for his trial. He was granted bail based on self-recognizance.

When the matter came up on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, counsel to the EFCC, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Chikezie Raymond Edozie brought to the notice of the court, the constant intimidation and harassment of prosecution witnesses within and outside the Court premises by Nwobodo. “My lord, this afternoon, while I was seated here, someone came in and told me that Nwobodo was shouting at my witness. I went outside and saw him actually shouting at my witness.”

After listening to the prosecution, Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo asked the PW5 if there was any form of intimidation by the defendant towards him, outside the courtroom and he said “the defendant was asking me why did I come here and when counsel to EFCC called me, he asked me not to go”.

After listening to the narration, Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo issued a strong warning to the defendant and threatened to revoke his bail if he interferes with any of the prosecution’s witnesses henceforth. “Mr. Nwobodo, did you know that interfering with the prosecution witnesses is a serious matter for which I can revoke your bail? I granted you bail on self-cognizance and you have been enjoying that bail. If you, being on bail will mean you interfering with prosecution witnesses, I will revoke your bail.

Let it be the last time that I will hear a complaint from the prosecution that you interfered with their witnesses. The next time I get a report that you accosted any of the prosecution witnesses, I will revoke your bail. Why should you do that? The prosecution complained that you interred with him and his witness, the PW1. Now PW5? Make sure I don’t get such complaints again”, the court said.

Earlier, the prosecution led in evidence the PW4, an Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Joshua Oloye, a forensics expert from the Commission’s Forensics and Crime Laboratory Department, FCLSD who identified two sets of documents; the first, a letter of request to determine whether the disputed signatures on the purchase receipts and the Power of Attorney were written by the same person; the second was the forensic report which contains the results of the forensic examination conducted.

When asked to tell the court about his findings, Oloye said “from my analysis, the disputed signatures marked X to X3 do not bear internal resemblance with the known specimen signatures marked A to A5 that were provided for comparison. The disputed signatures were not written by the same person who wrote the known specimen signatures”. It was determined through the PW4 that the defendant forged signatures on the Power of Attorney and three land purchase receipts he issued to buyers.

Judge Giwa-Ogunbanjo Warns Defence Counsel

The documents were admitted in evidence and marked as exhibit 39, 1 to 11; and exhibit 40, 1 to 8.

The prosecution also presented the PW5, Christopher who also narrated to the court, how the defendant sold three plots of land to him in the sum of N3.7 million, adding that he was also given a Deed of Assignment and a Survey plan. He stated that he developed two plots and that “at one point, someone came to disturb the remaining plot, claiming the land belonged to someone in London”.

The matter was thereafter adjourned to March 12, 2026 for continuation of trial.

Count three of the charge reads: “That you, Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo on the 15th day of January 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N9,000,000.00 from one Wilson Ikeani Igwe under the false pretence of the sale of three plots of land situated at Emene, Enugu State to him, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”.

EFCC Hands Over Recovered N279Million To Wole Soyinka Centre

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has handed over the sum of N279 million (Two Hundred and Seventy-nine Million ) to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, Lagos, as part of its ongoing efforts to combat corruption and recover misappropriated public funds.

The handover ceremony took place on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Ikoyi.

The Commission had, in 2009, received a petition from Kabir Yusuf, former General Manager/CEO of the National Theatre, against Prince Benjamin Apugo and others, alleging that a contract worth N299,707,828.00 was awarded through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation to Techno Exportstroy Nig. Limited for the construction of five gates, sand filling, and reclamation works at the National Theatre.

Investigations revealed that the suspect, Yusuf Ahmed Atai, in his capacity as Acting General Manager of the National Theatre, released the sum of N334,229,794.24 to the contractor, which exceeded the original contract sum by N34,521,966.00.

Further investigations showed that the contractor only executed work valued at N55,910,744.00, leaving an outstanding balance of N243,799,132.25 in unexecuted work.

The suspect also failed to refund the excess payment of N34,521,966.00.

Upon the conclusion of investigations, the suspect was charged to court for prosecution.

During the course of the trial, a total sum of N279,000,000.00 was recovered from the defendant on behalf of the complainant.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, represented by the Acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Ikoyi, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to ensure that public funds are properly accounted for and returned to their rightful owners.

He urged the management of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts to use the recovered funds judiciously.

He said: “We cannot suffer to recover this money for you and then have it used for purposes other than what it is meant for after receiving it from us. We have already asked you to tell us what you intend to do with it, and you should know that we will keep an eye on how it is utilised. Nigerians have always sought to know what the Commission does with recovered funds.”

EFCC

He added that the Commission would periodically inspect the project for which the funds would be used.

“We will be visiting from time to time to monitor the progress of work. Our eagle eyes will be watching the pace of work. Do not tamper with the recovered funds. Use them for the benefit of Nigeria and all of us,” he said.

Receiving the bank drafts on behalf of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, Jatto Kabiru, Head of Finance and Accounts of the National Theatre, expressed appreciation to the Commission for recovering the funds and assured that they would be used appropriately.

“We are most grateful for this remarkable feat of recovering this amount of money for us. The EFCC is one of Nigeria’s most effective and reliable law enforcement agencies. I assure you that the money will be used judiciously,” he said.