Alleged N336.9m Fraud: EFCC Arraigns Man, His Company In Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, Ikoyi, on Monday, June 29, 2026, arraigned Abdulkarim Muhammad Arome, and his company, Cresco Oil and Gas Limited before Justice O. A. Okunuga of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja over an alleged N336,993,863.35 ( Three Hundred and Thirty-six Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Three Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty Three Naira, Thirty-five kobo) fraud involving Lotus Bank.
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The defendants were arraigned on an amended three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct.

According to the charges, the offences are contrary to Sections 409 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, Section 285(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, and Section 17(a) and (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

Count one reads:

“Abdulkarim Muhammad Arome, Peter Daniels Prosper, (at large) and Cresco Oil and Gas Limited sometime 2022 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to Steal money, property of Lotus Bank”.

Count two reads:

“Abdulkarim Muhammad Arome, Peter Daniels Prosper and Cresco Oil and Gas Limited sometime between 2022 and 2023, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use an aggregate sum of N336.993,863.35 (Three hundred and thirty-six million, nine hundred and ninety-three thousand eight hundred and sixty-three Naira, thirty-five Kobo), property of Lotus Bank”.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them.

EFCC

Following the arraignment, prosecuting counsel, E. S. Okongwu, asked the court for a trial date and urged that the defendants be remanded in a Correctional facility pending the commencement of trial.

Defence counsel informed the court that she intended to file bail applications and prayed for a short adjournment to enable the applications to be heard.

Justice Okunuga ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until October 7, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
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NAF Strengthens Joint Battlefield Coordination Through Air-To-Ground Integration And Civilian Harm Mitigation Training

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), through the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre (AWDC), has reinforced its commitment to strengthening joint operational effectiveness by conducting an in-theatre Air-to-Ground Integration (AGI) and Civilian Harm Mitigation (CHM) orientation training for personnel of Operation Savannah Shield. Held from 22–26 June 2026, the programme brought together personnel drawn from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and the NAF.
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The specialised training was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of joint force employment, enhance air-ground coordination and improve mission planning and execution within contemporary operational environments.

The comprehensive programme combined classroom instruction, interactive engagements and practical demonstrations to enhance participants’ operational competence. Training focused on key air-to-ground integration procedures, joint planning, mission coordination and contemporary operational practices, alongside legal, ethical and practical measures for mitigating civilian harm during military operations.

An abridged Air Liaison Officers’ course was also conducted for NAF pilots and Regiment officers at NAF Base Kainji, broadening their understanding of joint air operations, operational planning, air mobility coordination and inter-service collaboration. These engagements further strengthened participants’ appreciation of integrated battlefield operations and the importance of precision, professionalism and effective teamwork in modern military missions.

Speaking during the programme, the Commandant, Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre, Air Vice Marshal Garba Jibia, underscored the growing importance of integrated operations in addressing evolving security challenges, noting that effective coordination, rapid decision-making and seamless cooperation between air and ground forces are essential to mission success.

NAF

Echoing the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke’s assertion that “Decisive air power delivers its greatest effect when seamlessly integrated with surface operations,” he explained that the training was carefully designed to enhance professionalism and mission readiness in line with the Chief of the Air Staff’s command philosophy. Participants described the programme as insightful, practical and professionally rewarding, noting that the knowledge gained would strengthen future operational planning and mission coordination.

The successful training further underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to building an integrated, mission-ready joint force capable of delivering precise air power effects while safeguarding civilian lives, thereby enhancing operational effectiveness and national security.
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ICPC Seeks Stronger Partnership With Civil Society To Deepen Anti-Corruption Fight

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reaffirmed the critical role of civil society organisations in Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive, calling for stronger collaboration, innovation, and citizen participation to advance transparency, accountability, and good governance across the country.
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The Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, made the call while delivering the keynote address at the National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC) Summit on Members’ Hybrid Engagement for Strengthening NACC, held at the ICPC Headquarters in Abuja.

The summit brought together representatives of civil society organisations, government institutions, development partners, the media and other stakeholders, with participants also joining virtually from across the country.

Dr. Aliyu who was represented by the Secretary to the Commission, Sir Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, JP, DSSRS, noted that the fight against corruption cannot be won by government and anti-corruption agencies alone, stressing that sustainable success requires the active participation of citizens, civil society organisations, the private sector, faith-based institutions, traditional rulers, youth and women’s groups, academia, the media, and development partners.

According to him, only a broad-based coalition driven by shared values of integrity and accountability can effectively address the country’s corruption challenges.

The ICPC Chairman described the National Anti-Corruption Coalition as one of the Commission’s most significant platforms for fostering collective action against corruption. He observed that since its establishment, the Coalition has played a pivotal role in public sensitisation, advocacy, policy engagement, community mobilisation and social accountability initiatives, helping to promote transparency and strengthen public demand for good governance.

Dr. Aliyu, however, acknowledged that emerging governance challenges, technological advancements, illicit financial flows, procurement irregularities and other sophisticated forms of corruption require more innovative responses and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.

He therefore emphasised that the adoption of hybrid engagement mechanisms by the Coalition was a strategic necessity that would enhance communication, expand participation, facilitate knowledge sharing and strengthen coordinated anti-corruption interventions nationwide.

He urged members of the Coalition to use the summit as an opportunity to critically assess the Coalition’s achievements, address existing challenges and collectively develop strategies for improving citizen mobilisation, youth engagement, grassroots participation, communication among members and the use of technology in advancing anti-corruption advocacy.

Dr. Aliyu further charged members of the National Anti-Corruption Coalition to continue serving as bridges between government institutions and citizens through sustained advocacy, public enlightenment and community engagement.

He described their role as strategic in promoting accountability and strengthening democratic governance, adding that every effort to empower citizens and improve transparency contributes meaningfully to national development.

The Chairman also expressed appreciation to the Commission’s development partners and members of the Coalition for their continued commitment to promoting integrity across the country.

He expressed optimism that the summit’s deliberations and resolutions would provide a renewed framework for repositioning the Coalition, enhancing collaboration among members and expanding the impact of citizen-led anti-corruption initiatives nationwide.

While giving an overview of NACC, the Head of Civil Society Mobilization Unit, Mr.Suleiman Godwin Achile stated the National Anti-Corruption Coalition was established by the ICPC in 2006 as an umbrella platform for collaboration with civil society organisations whose core mandate includes anti-corruption advocacy.

ICPC

He said over the years, the Coalition has grown to over 400 registered organisations working with the Commission to promote transparency, accountability and integrity across Nigeria.

The summit was convened to re-strategise, rejuvenate and strengthen the Coalition, reconnect with members, familiarise newly admitted organisations with the Coalition’s Memorandum of Understanding, update members on the Commission’s recent initiatives and clarify their roles and expectations as critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign.

J. Okor Odey anipr.
Head, Media & Public Communications, ICPC.
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