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Dasuki’s Trial: Defendants Made Their Statements Without Duress, Under Caution-Witness

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EFCC Arraigns Gidado Ibrahim

Dasuki’s Trial: Defendants Made Their Statements Without Duress, Under Caution-Witness

The Third Prosecution Witness, PW3, Salihu Kadiri in the trial of the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd) alongside Aminu Baba Kusa, Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 asserted in a trial-within-trial before Justice Charles Agbaza of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court that the defendants made their extrajudicial statements voluntarily and under caution.

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Dasuki and the three others are facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a 32-count charge, bordering on breach of trust and dishonesty to the tune of N33,200,000,000 (Thirty-Three billion, Two Hundred Million Naira).

Justice Agbaza had ordered a trial-within-trial after counsel to the second and fourth defendants, Richard Ebie and A.O. Ayodele, respectively, objected to the admissibility of their clients’ extrajudicial statements in the EFCC on ground that they were not voluntarily made, thus incompatible with Sections 15(4) and 17(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act ACJA.

The witness, an investigator with the EFCC while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, told the court that he took the statements of the second defendant as contained in Exhibit TWTA4 in TWTA1 to TWTA7 and affirmed that the defendant wrote his statement inside an EFCC office with his team members and other staff of the Commission present and that the witness made his statement voluntarily after words of caution were read to him.

In his cross examination of the witness, counsel to the second defendant, Solomon Umoh, SAN, sought to know if there were visitation records of staff members of Acacia Holdings Limited to the defendants while they were in the Commission’s custody, to which he replied in the affirmative.

EFCC Arraigns Gidado Ibrahim

EFCC

When further asked if video and CCTV recordings were made of the second defendant while writing his statement, the witness replied in the negative, stating that the law did not stipulate that such a video recording should be made. He, however, said that there was a CCTV camera recording but asked the court to note that it was done about 10 years ago.

Counsel to the fourth defendant A.O. Ayodele demanded to know why the witness did not append his signature on the dotted lines for the witness, to which he said that his signing was not a requirement in law, but observed that his handwriting is on the statement.

The judge adjourned the matter till May 15 and 29, 2026 for the defence to open its case.

Crime

Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers

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Troops Destroy 56 Illegal Refining Sites

Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers

The Nigerian Navy, through FOB BONNY, has dismantled an illegal refining site discovered in Promise Land Community along Nanabie Creek, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, further denying criminal operators the infrastructure required to process stolen crude oil.
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The site was discovered on 30 September 2026 following credible intelligence and comprised one large cooking pot and 3 large storage tanks intended for illegal refining activities. On 2 October 2026, the Commanding Officer, FOB BONNY, Captain SMC Umeh, led a team to the location, where the illegal refining site and associated equipment were destroyed in accordance with established regulations.

The intervention represents a further disruption of illegal refining capacity within the Bonny area, particularly by removing infrastructure that could be used to process and store stolen crude oil. It also follows recent operations by FOB BONNY under Operation DELTA SENTINEL that uncovered substantial volumes of suspected stolen crude oil and associated illegal refining infrastructure within its Area of Operations

Troops Destroy 56 Illegal Refining Sites

Oil

The Nigerian Navy has continued to strengthen surveillance and monitoring across the area to prevent the establishment or reactivation of illegal refining sites and deny criminal operators the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and related activities.

ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO

Navy Captain

Director Naval Information

Nigerian Navy
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Nigerian Police Foil Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Recover Rocket Launchers

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Police

Nigerian Police Foil Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Recover Rocket Launchers

The Sokoto State Police Command has foiled an attempted bandit attack on Tsabre community in Isa Local Government Area, recovering two rocket launchers and other items abandoned by the fleeing attackers.
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The incident occurred around 1am on Friday when the armed men reportedly invaded the village and opened sporadic gunfire, causing panic among residents.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufa’i, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

He said the Divisional Police Officer in Isa, upon receiving a distress call, immediately mobilised tactical teams, including operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Violent Crime Response Unit, to confront the attackers.

According to him, the police engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat into a nearby forest.

“The tactical teams engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel that lasted for some time. Due to the superior firepower and tactical positioning of the police operatives, the bandits were overpowered and forced to escape into the nearby forest with their casualties,” Rufa’i said.

He added that the police subsequently combed the surrounding bushes and recovered two rocket launchers and two empty AK-47 magazines.

Other items recovered included a Techno keypad phone without a battery, a touch light, an Army jungle hat, a sweater cap, five pairs of sandals and a rain jacket.

The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shaffa, commended the officers for their swift response and courage during the operation.

Shaffa reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

Police

Police

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the police.

The CP further appealed to residents to report anyone with suspected gunshot wounds seeking medical attention to the nearest police station, as efforts continue to track the fleeing attackers.
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Navy Rescues 2 Kidnapped Victims, Recovers Stolen Outboard Engines in Akwa Ibom

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Navy

Navy Rescues 2 Kidnapped Victims, Recovers Stolen Outboard Engines in Akwa Ibom

The Nigerian Navy has rescued 2 kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines during an operation against sea robbery and kidnapping in the Ibeno general area of Akwa Ibom State on 30 September 2026.
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The operation followed credible information on the activities of suspected sea robbers and kidnappers targeting fishermen and forcibly taking away fishing boats and outboard engines. In response, the Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE Maritime Quick Response Team, Ibeno, swiftly mobilised to the area to counter the threat.

During the operation, the naval team encountered 2 boats suspected to be operated by the criminals, prompting the occupants to flee into adjoining creeks. In the ensuing pursuit, the suspects abandoned one of the boats containing several stolen outboard engines and the 2 kidnapped victims, who were immediately rescued by the naval team and escorted to safety. The recovered outboard engines were secured for verification and further necessary action, while efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The successful operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained commitment to Search and Rescue (SAR), the protection of lives and the security of legitimate maritime activities across Nigeria’s waters. Through its network of ships, bases, surveillance systems, maritime quick response teams and other operational elements, the Nigerian Navy continues to maintain a presence across the maritime domain, enabling timely responses to distress situations and emerging security threats.

Navy

Navy

The operation also demonstrates the importance of credible intelligence and community support in enhancing maritime security. The Nigerian Navy therefore encourages coastal communities, fishermen and other maritime stakeholders to continue providing timely information that could assist in preventing criminal activities and responding rapidly to persons in distress.

The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and will continue to sustain proactive patrols, Search and Rescue operations, and intelligence-driven interventions aimed at protecting lives and property while denying criminal elements freedom of action in the nation’s waterways.
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