High Court Rejects EFCC’s Additional Proof Evidence On Emefiele

High Court rejects EFCC’s additional proof evidence on Emefiele. Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja, has rejected the additional proof of evidence brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, in the alleged procurement fraud trial brought against him.

Delivering ruling in a motion on notice filed by Emefiele to object to the action of the EFCC, Justice Muazu held that the Commission had on February 12, 2024, first filed additional proof of evidence against the former CBN governor to accommodate the evidence of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and one Bamayi Haruna Mairiga.

The judge, who noted that the charge against Emefiele was filed since August 14, 2023 and his plea taking on November 16, 2023, said that the action of the EFCC would amount to denial of fair trial because the former governor of CBN was not confronted with the new evidence during investigation as required by law.

Justice Muazu further added that the action of EFCC amounted to trial by ambush and a clear case of fishing for evidence in the trial that commenced since November 28, 2023.

Justice Muazu pointed out that allowing the additional proof of evidence after the charge had been amended severally was prejudicial to the defendant, as his right to fair hearing is being breached.

Emefiele

The judge held that the position of the law is that the charge was filed upon the completion of investigation and prima facie case established against any defendant in a criminal matter, adding that in the instant case, the contrary is the case.

The judge however, declined to strike out the charge for being a product of incomplete or ongoing investigation and therefore speculative as claimed by Emefiele.

Justice Muaza said that the charge cannot be struck down because both the defendant and the prosecution had joined issues with each other and trial almost completed.

Ogun Farmer Arrested For Stealing Pineapples

Ogun farmer arrested for stealing pineapples. Police in Ogun State have arrested a 53-year-old farmer, Oloyede David, for allegedly stealing three bags of pineapples worth N90,000 in Orile-Ilugun, Odeda Local Government Area.

The suspect was caught harvesting the fruits from a plantation owned by one Ola Omotayo.

Police spokesperson Omolola Odutola confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, stating that officers from the Orile-Ilugun outstation apprehended David around 11:58 a.m. on Tuesday after another farmer spotted him and alerted others.

Po

“The suspect was caught with three bags of pineapples, valued at approximately N90,000. The farm owner arrived at the scene and confirmed the theft,” Odutola said.

Omotayo further claimed that pineapples worth N650,000 and a submersible pumping machine valued at N180,000 had previously been stolen from her farm.

David has been taken into custody, and the case has been transferred to the Divisional Crime Branch for further investigation.

Police Arrests Suspects, Recover Drugs, Weapons Meant For Terrorists In Yobe

Police arrests suspects, recover drugs, weapons meant for terrorists in Yobe. The Nigeria Police Force has arrested three individuals in Potiskum, Yobe State, with 30 cartons of codeine syrup and other hard drugs intended for supply to bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, and kidnappers operating in the state and neighboring regions.

According to a statement by Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the suspects—Usman Yahaya (50), Joseph Matthew (27), and Solomon Bala (25)—were apprehended on February 1, 2025, by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department-Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) following credible intelligence.

Adejobi further disclosed that another suspect, Hauwa Sani (30), was intercepted along the Keffi-Abuja Expressway with 124 rounds of live ammunition concealed in a five-liter container of palm oil. Upon interrogation, she admitted that a contact named Nasiru in Daura had instructed her to deliver the ammunition to Katsina State.

Guns

Additionally, on February 3, 2025, police operatives arrested three more suspects—Yusuf Dantani (24), Usman Labaran (32), and Musa Mohammed (23)—with 10 AK-47 rifles. The suspects confessed to being involved in arms trafficking and disclosed that they had received ₦3,980,000 for their last arms deal.

The police emphasized their commitment to combating crime and urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.