Crime
Governor Okpebholo Threatens To Petition EFCC Over Alleged N25bn Radisson Hotel Fraud
Governor Okpebholo Threatens To Petition EFCC Over Alleged N25bn Radisson Hotel Fraud
Governor Okpebholo threatens to petition EFCC over alleged N25bn Radisson Hotel fraud. The Edo State Government has accused the immediate-past administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki of alleged financial malfeasance in the Radisson Hotel project in Benin City, announcing that it would petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after concluding ongoing investigations.
Recall that the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had last week accused the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo of lacking ideas, vision and a clear understanding of modern governance.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, the PDP described the current administration as driven by vendetta and propaganda rather than purposeful leadership.
However, in a statement on Sunday, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the state, Prince Kassim Afegbua, alleged that the Obaseki-led government sourced ₦25 billion from the stock market in the name of Edo State and invested it in the Radisson Hotel project, but later ceded 80 per cent equity to a private investor while the state retained only 20 per cent.
Afegbua claimed that Edo State is still servicing the ₦25 billion loan through an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order of about ₦385 million monthly, adding that there is no public record showing that the private investor injected funds into the project to justify its majority stake.
He further alleged that the investor was a newly registered company incorporated in May 2024, with no known track record in the hospitality industry, and that the acquisition of a majority equity stake was not subject to a competitive bidding process.
He said, “Till date, no record of this investor ploughing money into the project to warrant his 80% equity ab initio. The N25b sourced from the Stock Market is still being paid through an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order of N385m monthly by the Edo state Government.
“Yet, your so-called investor registered a brand new company in May 2024, with no antecedents to support any involvement or success in the hospitality business or any other.
“They did not go through any competitive bidding to acquire a whopping 80% of that hotel pronto. Hmm, what manner of financial wizardry is that? This is only possible in Godwin Obaseki’s school of economics and public finance. And we have elected never to enrol in such a dubious college of fraud.
“The Radisson Hotel remains that of the Edo state government. Every kobo of Edo taxpayers’ money spent and invested in the project would be accounted for. You cannot use the Edo state government as a collateral entity to source N25billion from the stock market and invest the money for the benefit of your friends and cronies.”
The commissioner also dismissed claims linking the current administration to the Ossiomo Power Plant, stating that the state government only opted to reduce its reliance on the facility by adopting alternative power sources, including solar energy and services from the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, in line with cost-cutting measures.
Governor Okpebholo
Afegbua said Governor Okpebholo’s administration was committed to transparency and prudent management of public funds, contrasting it with what he described as “opaque financial transactions” under the previous government. He added that the Okpebholo administration had initiated an ambitious programme of infrastructural development, particularly in education.
Afegbua emphasised that more schools have been built in Benin City within one year than during Obaseki’s eight-year tenure, while also reviving Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and Edo State University, Uzairue, through fresh financial interventions.
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.
EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
EFCC Arrests 10 Suspects, Trucks for Suspected Illegal Mining Activities in Kwara
Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested ten individuals suspected of involvement in illegal mining activities along the Ilorin – Ogbomosho axis.
They were arrested on Sunday, February 1, 2026, following credible intelligence on unlawful mineral excavation and transportation in parts of Kwara and Oyo States.
The suspects, comprising nine truck drivers and one escort were intercepted and taken into custody in a well -coordinated sting operation. Solid minerals arrested with the suspects include lithium, tin, and lepidolite.
EFCC Arrests 10 Suspects
The suspects have no requisite licences, permits, or regulatory approvals for their mining activities.
Other items recovered from the suspects are trucks loaded with the unlawfully mined materials.
The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
List Of 40 Suspects Detained Over Alleged Plot To Overthrow Tinubu Government
List of 40 suspects detained over alleged plot to overthrow Tinubu Government. Nigerian security agencies have concluded investigations into an alleged coup plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with at least 40 suspects detained in connection with the conspiracy.
The suspects include senior military officers, a police officer, and several civilians accused of roles ranging from reconnaissance and funding to propaganda.
According to a Premium Times report, the arrests followed a covert intelligence operation coordinated by the Army Headquarters and the State Security Service (SSS).
“Thirteen people were apprehended by the SSS, including two military personnel (one retired), one policeman, and ten civilians,” one source said.
In total, 16 serving military officers were detained for direct involvement, while others were linked to funding and incitement. Two civilians were reportedly recruited to incite civil unrest intended to justify the coup.
According to the online newspaper, one of the detained soldiers was said to have escaped custody but was later rearrested by SSS operatives in Bauchi State, according to insider accounts.
Recall that on Monday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed that the investigation had been completed and forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”
“Findings identified several officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” the military said, describing the act as “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
Sources said authorities are now awaiting presidential approval to constitute a court-martial panel to try the indicted soldiers.
Investigations revealed that the coupists initially planned to disrupt the May 29, 2023 handover ceremony from former President Muhammadu Buhari to President Tinubu, but the plan was shelved due to lack of funds and logistics.
The conspiracy was allegedly reactivated in 2025, after former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva purportedly transferred nearly ₦1 billion through multiple Bureau De Change accounts to fund the operation.
Sylva and a retired senior officer identified as Major General Adamu, both accused of bankrolling the plot, are reportedly at large.
Security sources said one of the fugitive suspects has been tracked to a South American country, though his precise location remained undisclosed for security reasons.
Investigators also uncovered a chilling plan to assassinate top government officials, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
“They were waiting for a day when all of them would be in the country. Wherever they were, they would be assassinated,” one source revealed.
The plot allegedly relied on informants inside the Presidential Villa, who monitored the movements of top officials. The conspirators were to seize control of strategic locations such as the Presidential Villa, Niger Barracks, Armed Forces Complex, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Military
Hereunder is the full list of the alleged coupists arrested
MA Sadiq (Brigadier General) Army lHeadquarters Garrison
MA Ma’aji (Colonel) Defence Space Administration
S Bappah (Lt. Colonel) 525 Signal Regiment
AA Hayatu (Lt Colonel) 130 Battalion Main, Ogoja, Cross River State
P Dangnap (Lt Colonel) 134 Special Force Battalion
M Almakura (Lt Colonel) 197 Special Force Battalion
AA Jarma (Lt Colonel) CO, 35 Battalion Katsina
SM Gana (Lt Colonel) 115 Task Force Battalion
AD Dauda (Maj) Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
JM GANAKS (Maj) Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
AJ Ibrahim (Maj) Army Headquarters’ Department of Policy and Plans
MM Jiddah (Maj) 26 Battalion
MA Usman (Maj) 35 Battalion
D Yusuf (Maj) Forward Operating Base Molai (AHQ SG)
J Iliyasu (Maj) 3 Division Garrison
A Mohammed (Maj) 63 Brigade Garrison
DB Abdullahi (Lt Cdr) Naval Base Abuja
SB Adamu (Sqn Ldr) National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC)
NG Zuzu (Sqn Ldr) Headquarters, Nigeria Air Force Camp
G Binuga (Captain) 1 NMF Brigade
AA Yusuf (Captain) Nigerian Army of the School of Finance and Administration (NASFA)
1 Bello (Captain) 82 Division Garrison
SS Felix (Lt) 81 Division Provost Group
J Aminu (Lt) Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR)
Nasiru Ibrahim (WO) 82 Division Garrison
Sanda Usman (Sgt) 167 Special Force Battalion
Mohammed Zubairu (Sgt) 177 Guards Battalion
Momoh Audu (Cpl) 343 Artillery Regiment
Ahmed Ibrahim (Inspector) 24 Police Mobile Force, Presidential Villa
EO Victor (Navy Capt/Rtd) 3 Abraham Avenue off Odili Road, Port Harcourt
Umoru Zekeri Julius Berger, Villa Electrician
Y Nasiru (LCpl) 82 Division Garrison
Sambo Danladi (LCpl) 82 Division Garrison
Abdul Abdullahi (SSgt) 82 Division Garrison
Ali Isah Villa Ambulance Driver
ML Mohammed (Capt) 18 Battalion
UI Yusuf (Wg Cdr) International/Helicopter Flying School, Enugu
IM Gana (Maj Gen Rtd) No 34 A Army Estate, Kubwa, Abuja
Stanley Kingley Amandi Propagandist
Goni Bukar
Security sources confirmed that joint operations involving multiple agencies are underway to dismantle remaining cells and track fleeing suspects. The EFCC and SSS are also interrogating several civilians over alleged roles in funding, logistics, and coordination.
At least 25 military personnel are expected to face trial in connection with the plot, according to sources close to the investigation.
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