Crime
Court Adjourns Till April 20 In Alleged $6bn Mambila Power Fraud
Court Adjourns Till April 20 In Alleged $6bn Mambila Power Fraud
Alleged $6bn Mambila power fraud. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of a Federal High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja has adjourned proceedings in the trial of former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye till April 20, 2026
The former minister is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an amended seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of Mambilla Power Project contract to the tune of $6billion (Six Billion United States Dollars) to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited.
At Monday`s proceedings, Third Prosecution Witness, PW3, Umar Hussein Babangida during re-examination by prosecuting counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN, clarified that the investigation team invited three former Attorney Generals of the Federation, Micheal Aondokaa, SAN, Abubakar Malami, SAN and Kanu Agabi, SAN and they volunteered their statements. Both Aondokaa and Malami offered written statements but Agabi volunteered an oral statement.
He added that Agabi told the investigating team that he cannot recall the details and outcome of the Federal Executive Council meeting at that time but advised we rely on documents obtained from the office of the Secretary of the Federation.
However, counsel to the defendant, Samuel Falade objected to the testimony of Babangida, describing it as incompetent. His submission was that the witness was making statements of another person who had not been called to give evidence and that Babangida never mentioned or presented the evidence of the AGFs during his testimony in chief, regarding it as a fresh matter for debate.
Responding, the EFCC’s counsel referred to Section 215 sub section 3 of the Evidence Act, which made it clear that re- examination is not limited to clarity only. “The position of the law in re-examination shall be directed to the explanation of matters referred in cross examination as confirmed by the Supreme Court in the cases of Aigbadion vs State 2000 for SCNJ page 1”, he said.
“ My lord in that case, the Supreme Court held that the re-examination of a witness goes beyond explaining matters referred in. The court of Appeal reinstated this position in Mohammed vs Gbugbu and others reported in 2018 LPEFR 44494 Court of Appeal. They also held that among other things, re-examination is an avenue for a witness to state the whole truth of any matter which was not dealt with in examination’
“ Now that the witness has the right to explain and clarify matters on 17 February 2026, which was the foundation date of this question seeking explanation, where he was asked about the opinion given by Malami and Aondokaa which he gave answers for the first time while they were serving as AGFs, this was not part of his evidence- in -chief. Secondly on 24 of November 2025, the same defence asked the PW3 series of questions on Kanu Agabi”. It is necessary for the witness to explain that part before your lordship”, he said.
He concluded by stating that re-examination is for re-explanation of matters referred to in cross examination, suggesting that the questions stemmed out of cross examination from the defence.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Onwuegbuzie upheld the position of the prosecution, allowing the witness to continue with his testimony.
Continuing, Babangida said “Mr Aondokaa, SAN stated that if he had seen the conclusion of the FEC meeting he would have not given any legal opinion. While Malami, SAN said he relied on the legal opinion of Mr Aondokaaa”
Court
Mohammed further asked, “ on March, 11 2026, March 16, 2026, during your cross examination by the defence, you were asked to confirm Exhibit EFCC 3K and EFCC 3D are extracts of the FEC meeting of 21 May 2003, explain what is an extract”.
Responding, Babangida explained that “Exhibit EFCC 3K is an extract that contains only the deliberation on Mambilla Hydro Electricity based on the memo submitted by the defendant to the FEC, which contains deliberation, resolution and directives to the defendant. While Exhibit EFCC 3D is an extract that contains deliberation of other ministries other than that of the ministry of the defendant which showed deliberations of ministries before the defendant, the ministry of the defendant in question and deliberations of the ministries after that of the defendant”
After listening to the submissions, Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter to April 20, 2026 for continuation of trial.
Police Arrest Suspected Kidnapper, Recover AK-47 Rifles In Rivers
_Suspect leads operatives to gang hideout as six others escape with gunshot wounds_
In the spirit of ongoingPolice Arrest Suspected Kidnapper, Recover AK-47 Rifles In Rivers security fortification championed by the 23rd Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping, arresting a suspected gang member and recovering two AK-47 rifles, magazines, and ammunition after foiling an abduction attempt in Port Harcourt.
The operation followed a distress call received in the early hours of March 20 from a 35-year-old resident, Fadi Nasser, who reported that a group of armed men invaded his residence along Orogbum Crescent, Woji Road, in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of the state capital.
According to police sources, the attackers attempted to abduct the victim and opened fire during the incident. Despite the intensity of the attack, the victim managed to escape, a development described by security officials as both fortunate and critical in triggering a swift police response.
Investigations took a decisive turn after a mobile phone believed to belong to one of the suspects was recovered at the scene. Acting on this lead, operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, based in Aluu, deployed technical intelligence to track the device, leading to the arrest of one Joseph Abibo, identified as a member of the gang.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly provided actionable intelligence that led operatives to the gang’s hideout. However, on arrival at the location, the police team came under heavy gunfire from other members of the criminal group.
The operatives engaged the suspects in a gun duel and successfully overpowered them. In the process, several members of the gang fled the scene, with police sources confirming that about six suspects escaped into a nearby river with gunshot wounds.
A thorough search of the hideout led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, and 108 rounds of live ammunition, believed to have been used by the gang in carrying out their criminal operations.
Security officials said the operation is part of intensified efforts by the command to dismantle kidnapping syndicates and curb violent crimes in Rivers State. They added that a coordinated manhunt is currently underway to track down the fleeing suspects and recover additional weapons.
Residents in the area have been urged to remain vigilant and support ongoing operations by providing credible and timely information to security agencies.
The Rivers State Police Command reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, assuring the public that further developments on the case will be communicated as investigations continue.
CSP Grace Iringe-Koko Anipr
Police Pulice Relations officer
Rivers State Police Command
For : The Commissioner of Police
Man Bags 30 Years Imprisonment In Lagos Over $62,500, €36,020 Fraud
Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, March 30, 2026, convicted and sentenced Olumuyiwa Teniola Idowu and his company, Tennyvans Nigeria Limited, to a total of 30 years imprisonment on a six-count charge bordering on stealing and failure to declare assets amounting to $62,500 (Sixty-Two Thousand Five Hundred United States Dollars) and €36,020 (Thirty six Thousand, Twenty Euro)
The offences contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, as well as Section 27(3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act, 2004, relating to non-disclosure of assets and refusal to declare properties.
One of the counts reads:
“Olumuyiwa Teniola Idowu and Tennyvams Nigeria Limited sometimes in 2012 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of $62,500 (Sixty-Two Thousand Five Hundred United States Dollars) being the cost of caterpillar parts, property of Rene Theodorous Johannes Brouwers of Brouwers USA Trucks and Parts”.
Another Count Reads:
“Olumuyiwa Teniola Idowu and Tennyvams Nigeria Limited sometimes in 2012 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of €36, 020 (Thirty six Thousand, Twenty Euro) being the cost and shipping of DAF Truck, Box trailer and two (2) tippers, property of Rene Theodorous Johannes Brouwers of Brouwers USA Trucks and Parts b.v.”
Idowu was first arraigned on November 27, 2024, where he pleaded not guilty, prompting a full trial.
During the trial, prosecuting counsel, E. S. Okongwu, called three witnesses and tendered eleven exhibits, all of which were admitted by the court. The defence counsel, Kehinde Olawumi, called one witness.
Jail
In his judgment, Justice Ijelu held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently found the defendant guilty as charged.
The court sentenced him to five years imprisonment on counts one to four, to run concurrently. He was also sentenced to five years imprisonment on counts five and six, with an option of a fine of N1 million on each count, to be paid within six months or serve the custodial sentences.
Additionally, the court ordered restitution of $62,500 and €36,020 to the nominal complainant within six months.
The convict was thereafter remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
Court Jails Man for $19,400 Bitcoin Fraud In Edo
Bitcoin fraud. The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has secured the conviction and sentence of Osamudiamen Philip Ikilo for fraud.
The convict was arraigned on one -count charge of stealing before Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.
Upon arraignment the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge, setting the stage for trial.
The charge reads: That you Osamudiamen Philip Ikilo (m) sometime in March 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did steal Bitcoin worth the sum of $19,400 (Nineteen thousand, four Hundred United States Dollars) belonging to one Cynthia Imade Alile by fraudulently converting the said sum to your own use, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law 2022 and punishable under Section 294 of the same Law.
Bitcoin
In the course of the trial, prosecution counsel, A. S. Bala-Ribah called two witnesses and also tendered documents which were admitted by the court. On his part, the defendant called two witnesses including himself.
Delivering judgment on Monday, March 23, 2026 Justice Aziegbemhin found the defendant guilty of the charge and sentenced him to two years imprisonment without an option of fine.
Ikilo’s road to jail began when he offered to assist the petitioner convert her 0.52092582 Bitcoin worth $19,400 but failed to remit the money to the petitioner as he converted same to his personal use.
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