Crime
Bayelsa: Group Takes Campaign Against Drug Abuse To Univarsity
Bayelsa: Group Takes Campaign Against Drug Abuse To Univarsity
Bayelsa: Group takes campaign against drug abuse to univarsity, as commissioner, lawmaker pledges support. Peace Agents across Bayelsa State under the aegis of the Bayelsa State Peace Architecture (SPA) have embarked on a sensitisation campaign on the dangers of drug abuse in tertiary institutions across the state.
The group also sued for students in higher institutions to undergo mandatory drug test before matriculation and graduation.
This position, according to the group is imperative following the rising trend of drug abuse amongst students and youths in the state.
Taking the campaign to the Niger Delta University, NDU, in Amassoma, members of the Bayelsa State Peace Architecture (SPA) interacted and exchanged ideas with stakeholders especially the management staff of the institution on efforts to combat the menace.
The group also took the campaign to the doorsteps of the students, highlighting the dangers of drug abuse and its effect in the society as a negative driver against peace.
Speaking during the campaign, the Secretary of SPA, Dr. Inebaraton Preye who spoke on behalf of the team reeled out the main thrust of the campaign, stressing that drug abuse is not only destructive but has the capacity of annihilating the next generation of youths in the Society.
His words, “Rising from the persistent reoccurrence of the prevailing issue of drug abuse as a precursor to crime from our monthly SPA Meetings in the past six months from (December, 2024 – June, 2025) the menace of drug abuse among our youths (now extended to primary school pupils and students in basic classes) is not only alarming but destructive.
“The trend, if not checked, is capable of destroying our next generation and fabrics of the next generation in our society.
“Regrettably, the nexus between drugs and crime cannot be overemphasized as users are always willing tools for violence. Hence, the need to nip this societal menace in the bud for stakeholders to collaborate in mitigating drug use amongst youths.
“We are optimistic that ‘catching them young,’ parents and guidance playing their roles to monitor the activities of their children/wards will help in changing the narrative positively.
“Hence, the resolution for students to undergo necessary drug tests before matriculation and before they defend their project in the final year at the citadel of learning.”
On his part, Prof. Tonbara Barakabo-Kingdom, the DVC Academics who represented the NDU management lauded the SPA for their volunteering efforts in peacebuilding and commitment to spread the campaign against drug abuse in and around the institution.
He spoke on the school’s partnership with the Bayelsa SPA in actualising its drive in sustaining peace through advocacy as well as to join the campaign for the establishment of the Bayelsa state Community Peace Commission.
He also reiterated the need for the establishment of the Higher Institution Peace Architecture (HIPA) as a cluster to include students, staff and other peace agents within the academic environment.
Later, the team visited the President of the Students Union Government, SUG, of the institution led by Tams Apere who joined in the campaign.
The group also visited the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, at the Education House in Yenagoa to foster collaboration on how to tackle the menace of drug abuse in tertiary institutions and the society at large.
Group Takes Campaign Against Drug Abuse To Univarsity
Emelah, who expressed excitement about the mission of the SPA with support from the European Union (EU), said as a former lawmaker, he is committed to supporting the Bayelsa State Community Peace Commission as well as set up a framework to consider adding drug test in higher institutions as a policy across the State.
Also, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Dr. Charles Daniel, noted that the move by the group was a step in the right direction.
The lawmaker lauded the workings of the Bayelsa SPA and declared his commitment to support the Bayelsa State Community Peace Commission and other activities of the group.
Charles further expressed optimism in working with the group to promote peace in the State.
EFCC Arraigns Former SKye Bank Chairman, Tunde Ayeni For N15.6b Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, May 4, 2026, arraigned a former Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni before Justice Jude Onwuzuruike of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Apo, Abuja.
Ayeni was arraigned on a 17-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and conversion of investors’ funds to the tune N15,665,085,429 (Fifteen Billion, Six hundred and Sixty five Million, Eighty five thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-nine Naira (N15,665,085,429).
Prosecution counsel E.E. Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment and prosecution ready for trial.
“We have before the court 17-count charge dated April 28, 2026, we humbly apply that the charge be read to the defendant”, he said.
Eereporter.com
Count three of the charge reads: “That you, Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc between 21st of October, 2014 and 19th November, 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and having dominion over depositors funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc’s Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the aggregate sum of Three billion, Two hundred and One million, Five Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty Nine Naira, Forty two kobo(N3,201,535,429.42) by transferring same to Misa Limited’s account No: 1011295717 and 1011295718 domiciled with Zenith Bank in Violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other regulations and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act.
Count five of the charge reads: “That you Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the Defunct Skye Bank Plc on or about 27th November, 2014, at Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and having dominion over depositors’ funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc’s Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the sum of Five Billion, Seventy Eight million, Five hundred and Fifty thousand Naira(N5, 078,550,000) by transferring same to Union Registrar Limited’s Account No: 0003490559 domiciled with Union Bank in violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other Regulations and thereby Committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and Punishable under Section 312 of same Act.”
Fraud
Ayeni pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.
In view of his “not guilty” plea, Iheanacho prayed the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a Correctional Centre.
Defence counsel, Ahmed Raji Bashir, SAN, informed the court that the charge was given to the defendant on a public holiday adding that he considered it imperative to inform the court. He also prayed the court to release the defendant to him or return him to the custody of the EFCC.
Justice Onwuzuruike adjourned the matter to May 13, 2026, for hearing of the bail application, while the defendant was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending determination of bail application.
EFCC Arraigns Fake BDC Operator For Alleged N78. 2m Fraud In Onitsha
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Okeke Ejike Callistus, a fake Bureau De Change operator before Justice D. A. Onyefulu of the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Callistus was arraigned on a ten-count charge bordering on forgery and stealing to the tune of N78, 295, 000 (Seventy-eight million, Two hundred and Ninety-five thousand Naira).
Count one of the charge reads: “Mr. Okeke Ejike Callistus (trading under the name and style of Nwachimereze Amen Resources), sometime on the 2nd of May, 2024, at Onitsha, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Anambra State, did commit a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your personal use the sum of N62, 745, 000. 00 (Sixty-two million, Seven hundred and Forty-five thousand Naira) being property of Ezegwu Leonard Chinedu trading under the name and style of Leatez Enterprises and thereby committed an offence”.
Eereporter.com
Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Okeke Ejike Callistus (trading under the name and style of Nwachimereze Amen Resources), sometime between the 3rd to the 7th of May, 2024 at Onitsha, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Anambra State, did commit a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your personal use the sum of N15, 550, 000. 00 (Fifteen million, Five hundred and Fifty thousand Naira) being property of Ezegwu Leonard Chinedu and thereby committed an offence”.
The offence contravenes Section 342 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 36, Anambra State and punishable under Section 353 (12) of the same Law.
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against him by the Commission and in view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Rotimi Enitan Ajobiewe prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
However, defence counsel, Hypolite Ohaneche informed the court about a pending bail application before it, moved it and prayed the court to admit his client to bail.
Ajobiewe opposed the bail application on the ground that “there is likelihood of the defendant jumping bail due to the fact that he previously jumped bail granted him by the Commission”.
After listening to both sides, Justice Onyefulu granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50million with two sureties. One of them must have a tax clearance certificate. The sureties must be related to the defendant, live within the jurisdiction of the court and have a National identification Number.
EFCC
The defendant was arrested when a petitioner, Ezeugwu Leonard Chinedu, claimed that he gave him the sum of N78, 295, 000 for onward transmission to his business partner in China.
Instead of remitting the money, the defendant remitted some and sent telex copies of “ABA Bank of Cambodia” for the outstanding amount, which upon presentation to the partner in China, were found to be fake.
During the course of investigation, the defendant admitted receiving the said sum but added that he diverted part of the money for his personal use.
Nigerian Navy Storms Dayspring Island, Routs Militants, Demolishes Hideout In Cross River
The Nigerian Navy has escalated its offensive against criminal elements in the maritime domain, delivering decisive blows to militant networks operating along the Calabar–Oron channel in Cross River State.
In a series of aggressive clearance operations, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY and Forward Operating Base (FOB) IBAKA stormed Dayspring Island following the recent surge in kidnappings and related criminal activities.
The operation was anchored on the establishment of a forward security outpost at Idung 1 (Peacock Crossing), providing a tactical foothold for sustained dominance of the creeks and adjoining waterways.
The rapid offensive forced suspected militants to abandon their positions and flee upon contact with advancing naval troops. Maintaining relentless pressure, Nigerian Navy personnel, in conjunction with troops of the Nigerian Army 13 Brigade, secured key waterways and denied the criminals freedom of movement.
Eereporter.com
Exploitation of the area led to the discovery and destruction of a militant hideout linked to a notorious suspect known as “Juju” in the Idung axis. The suspect fled in disarray, abandoning two boats fitted with outboard engines, which were immediately seized. The hideout was subsequently demolished to eliminate its future use as a criminal sanctuary.
Further tightening the noose, troops tracked and apprehended one suspected informant providing support to the militant network. The suspect is currently in custody, undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.
Nigerian Navy
To consolidate operational gains and choke criminal activity, a 13-hour restriction on maritime movement from 5:00 pm to 6:00 am has been enforced within the operational area.
Prior to the intervention, militant elements operated with impunity, conducting kidnappings and extorting riverine communities. The sustained naval onslaught has now degraded their operational capability, disrupted their logistics, and confined their activities deep within the creeks.
The Nigerian Navy remains resolute and will sustain this aggressive posture, ensuring that all criminal elements are flushed out and the maritime environment remains secure for lawful activities.
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