Court Jails One For N2.9m Crypto Fraud In Maiduguri

Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri, on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 convicted and sentenced one Bukar Ahmed Shuwa to ten years imprisonment.

The convict was arraigned on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one -count amended charge for the offence of cheating to the tune of N2,950,000.00 (Two Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).

The charge reads: “That you, Bukar Ahmed Shuwa sometimes in the year 2024 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court fraudulently induced one Mahmud Ali to deliver to you the aggregate sum of N2, 950,000.00 under the guise of Crypto Bitget Wallet Coin Investment and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 309 and punishable under Section 310 of the Penal Code Law and Other Matters Connected therewith Law, 2023.”
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The defendant pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charge when it was read to him.

Following his plea, prosecution counsel, A.D Abdulmalik prayed the court to convict him accordingly. While in the same vein, counsel to the defendant, H. Basharu pleaded for leniency and urged the court to temper justice with mercy upon him.

Basharu further stated that the convict had fully restituted the money to the petitioner and urged the court to sentence him with an option of fine.

Jail

Thereafter, Justice Kumaliya convicted and sentenced the convict to ten years imprisonment with an option of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine.

The convict’s journey to the Correctional facility started when he fraudulently induced the petitioner to deliver to him the sum of N2.9m under the guise of Crypto Bitget Wallet Coin Investment and diverted the money to his personal use.
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FG Reaffirms Commitment To Implementing Investigative Panel Report On Nigerian Correctional Centres

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, assured stakeholders that the report of the Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption and Other Violations against the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) would not be shelved but would serve as the foundation for a renewed Nigerian Correctional Service.

The Minister stated this while receiving the Investigative Panel’s Report on Nigerian Correctional Centres in Abuja on Wednesday, noting that the Ministry would act decisively on its recommendations.
Receiving the report, the Honourable Minister commended the panel for its diligence, professionalism, and commitment to uncovering the realities within Nigeria’s correctional facilities. He described the report as a product of painstaking work and wide consultations.
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“This report will form the basis of a transformed correctional system. We will aggressively pursue implementation, establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, and ensure independent oversight to guarantee accountability and measurable results,” the Minister stated.

He noted that the work of the panel represented an important step in the ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability, improve operational standards and consolidate reforms within the correctional system.
Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, noted that a well-functioning correctional system benefits not only inmates but society as a whole, adding that correctional facilities should be treated as valuable national assets in the country’s social and economic development architecture.

The Minister reiterated that the correctional sector reflects the values of a nation and emphasized that every Nigerian, regardless of circumstance, deserves dignity, fairness, and humane treatment. He stated that the initiative aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to ensure that all Nigerians, including those in correctional custody, benefit from government policies and reforms.

Highlighting progress already recorded within the sector, the Minister disclosed that Nigeria’s custodial facilities currently have a capacity of approximately 68,496 inmates, while the inmate population stands at about 80,732. To address overcrowding, the government is constructing new correctional facilities with an additional capacity of approximately 33,000 inmates, including major projects in Abuja and Kano.

The Minister also reported significant improvements in rehabilitation outcomes, particularly in the reduction of recidivism. According to available data, repeat offenders declined from 11,616 in 2023 to 3,156 in 2024 and further to 1,392 in 2025.

He further highlighted ongoing investments in inmate education and rehabilitation programmes, including:
• 62 postgraduate students currently in custody.
• 261 undergraduate students.
• More than 1,125 inmates participating in educational programmes.

• 18 National Open University study centres operating within correctional facilities.
Thousands of inmates are also enrolled in vocational and skills acquisition programmes covering carpentry, agriculture, electrical installation, welding, tailoring, barbering, soap production, hairdressing, laundry services, and other trades designed to support successful reintegration into society.

On non-custodial measures, the Minister reported that 1,227 individuals have benefited from alternatives to incarceration, including community service, probation, restorative justice, and other non-custodial interventions.

He stressed that correctional centres must become institutions of rehabilitation, restoration, and second chances rather than places of hopelessness and discrimination.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Investigative Panel, Dr. Magdalene Ajani formally presented the report. She expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister for his support throughout the assignment, noted that members of the panel carefully examined the issues before them and engaged relevant stakeholders in the course of their work.

Dr. Ajani expressed optimism that the report would be effectively implemented and would contribute meaningfully to ongoing reforms within the Nigerian Correctional Service.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the panel, Associate Professor Uju Agomoh, appealed for the findings of the report to be made public, noting that making the document accessible to Nigerians would further strengthen transparency and public confidence in the reform process.

The Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption and Other Violations against the Nigerian Correctional Service was constituted to investigate allegations of misconduct within the Service and make recommendations aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency and effective service delivery.

The report was officially presented to the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during a ceremony attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, members of the Investigative Panel, senior government officials, and members of the media.

In his remarks, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche welcomed the report and pledged the full cooperation of the Service in implementing the recommendations. He commended the Honourable Minister for his leadership and commitment to correctional reform and praised the Investigative Panel for conducting one of the most extensive engagements and facility assessments undertaken in recent years.

Nigerian Correctional Centres

He emphasized that the Nigerian Correctional Service would work closely with the Judiciary, the Police, and other criminal justice stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the report’s recommendations and to strengthen the effectiveness of the nation’s correctional system.

The presentation of the report marks a significant landmark in the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to reposition the Nigerian Correctional Service as a modern institution focused on rehabilitation, reintegration, accountability, and public safety.

E-signed
Mrs Mary Ali, anipr
Head, Press and Public Relations
3rd June 2026
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Regional Military Cooperation: NAF Hosts Beninese Staff Course Students On Studay Tour

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on 2 June 2026 hosted participants of Course 22 from the Beninese National Higher Military School (BNHMS) at Headquarters NAF, Abuja, in a move aimed at strengthening regional military cooperation, professional exchange and collective security efforts within West Africa.

The delegation, comprising senior military officers undergoing staff training in the Republic of Benin, was received on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, by the Chief of Air Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal NN Ananaba.
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Speaking during the engagement, Air Vice Marshal Ananaba welcomed the participants to Headquarters NAF and underscored the importance of military diplomacy, knowledge sharing and collaboration among regional armed forces in addressing contemporary security challenges. He noted that the increasingly complex security environment in the West African sub-region demands closer cooperation, intelligence sharing and enhanced interoperability among partner nations.

The visit featured a comprehensive presentation by the Training Branch of Headquarters NAF, during which participants were briefed on the organisation, roles, operational responsibilities and ongoing transformation initiatives of the Nigerian Air Force.

The representative of the BNHMS delegation commended the Nigerian Air Force for its professionalism, operational achievements and commitment to capacity development. He noted that the visit provided valuable insights into the NAF’s structure, training philosophy and operational approach.

Regional Military Cooperation

An interactive session followed the presentation, providing participants the opportunity to engage with senior NAF officers on issues relating to air power employment, leadership development, intelligence operations, training and regional security cooperation.

The discussions fostered mutual understanding and the exchange of best practices between both institutions.
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