EFCC Probes Alleged N10 Billion Abia Airport Fraud, Says Governor Otti

EFCC probes alleged N10 billion Abia airport fraud, says Governor Otti. He explained that his administration had petitioned EFCC.

Abia governor, Alex Otti
Governor Alex Otti of Abia has said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating the alleged misappropriation of N10 billion purportedly spent for a non-existent Abia Airport by the previous administration.

Mr Otti disclosed this on Friday night during February media chat, saying that the commission was still inviting individuals who received the funds into their accounts.

He explained that his administration had petitioned EFCC regarding the alleged looted funds meant for the project.

He expressed the confidence that the money would be recovered, saying that the people involved would return the funds “at the appropriate time”.

A forensic audit revealed that N10 billion, allocated for the airport project by Okezie Ikpeazu’s government, was misappropriated.

The audit report further disclosed that the funds were transferred to 32 different accounts.

Mr Otti said that his administration was focused on recovering the looted funds to ensure good governance and development in Abia.

He said, “We are still on it and I’m sure that at the appropriate time they will bring back the money.”

Governor Otti

The governor also announced subsidised fares for the recently launched Electric Bus Services on two major routes in the state.

According to him, commuters will henceforth pay N800 from Umuahia to Aba, while from Umuahia to Ohafia will cost N1,000.

“It is going to be cheap and organised in such a way that cash will not be accepted.

“You have to pay with your ATM card, because we need to move up the ladder in our digital transformation, that’s where the world is going,” Mr Otti said.

The free bus service, which had endured from December 2025, when the bus was launched, will end on February 28.

N240m Fraud: Court Affirms Conviction, Sentence Of Senator Albert

N240m Fraud: Court affirms conviction, sentence of Senator Albert. The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday, February 27, 2026 affirmed the decision of the trial Court and Court of Appeal that convicted and sentenced Senator Albert Bassey to seven years imprisonment and the restitution of the sum of N204m ( Two Hundred and Four Million Naira) to Akwa Ibom State.

The decision of the five- man panelist of the apex court delivered by Justice Stephen Jonah Adah, having reviewed the appeal of the appellant, came to the conclusion that the decision of the Court of Appeal is affirmed but the order of restitution which the High court made but ignored by the Court of Appeal was restored.

“The order of this court is that the conviction and sentencing imposed by the lower court on the 23 day of June 2023 on the appellant is hereby affirmed but the order of the lower court avoiding the order of restitution given by the trial court did not follow the law, so it is revised and the right order is to nullify same and thereby the restitution of sum of N204 million made by the trial court is restored”, he said.

Senate

Bassey`s journey to the prison started following his prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, led by prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho SAN before Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State for receiving bribes of 12 cars worth N254 million as Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State.

He was convicted on all the seven-count charges against him and sentenced to seven years in prison for each charge, totaling 42 years on Thursday, December 1, 2022.

However, the defendant proceeded to the appellate court to which the three man panel led by Justice Rapheal Chikwe Agbo upheld the conviction but with an option of fine before the apex court struck out the judgement in parts.

Court Stops Mamman`s Counsel From An Unauthorized Witness In Alleged 33.8bn Fraud Case

Court stops Mamman`s counsel from an unauthorized witness in alleged 33.8bn fraud case. Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on Thursday, February 26, 2026, in the trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, stopped a defence counsel , Femi Atteh, SAN from using an unauthorized witness.

Omotosho held that a subpoenaed witness, Abdulkareem Ibrahim Ozi was already a prosecution witness in the matter as Pw2 and cannot be called at the instance of the court to stand as a defence witness.

“What I know is that, a witness having testified in court, even though he is a witness of the court, having been cross-examined by the other party, he can’t be called to give evidence without reason. This procedure is strange and not known to our jurisprudence. However, the defence is not foreclosed to call him for cross- examination” he said.

Earlier in the proceedings, the matter which was slated for the defendant to enter his defense had the defence counsel pray the court that the subpoenaed witness should testify as a defence witness even though he has been called by the prosecution.

“I don’t mind taking an oral application for the witness that is on subpoena before the court. There are documents to which he is the maker that deserves clarification that will help the defense, like PwB 1,2,3″ he said

However, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN objected, stating that the process is not only strange but an abuse of court process.

Court

“ My lord, I am a prosecutor and not a persecutor that represents everyone. On November 12, 2024, I led evidence with this witness, as Pw2, he brought documents, was cross examined and the court discharged him. The learned counsel sought a judicial decision to call this witness, this process is not only strange but an abuse of court process.

The defence has not told us what aspect of the exhibit needs cross examination. When we were conducting our case, we gave them documents in advance, so which documents are they referring to so that we are not taken by surprise”, he said

Justice Omotosho discharged the witness from the witness box, further stating that if the defence wanted to use him as their witness, they should request properly in writing by way of an application of notice, not using him at the instance of the court by way of subpoena.

Responding, defense counsel told the court that they have closed their case.

The matter was adjourned to April 13, 2026 for the adoption of final written addresses.