Alleged ₦2.04bn Money Laundering: Court Reserves Ruling On Ex-NRC Finance Director, Felix Njoku’s Bail

Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, May 11, 2026, reserved ruling till June 2, 2026 on the bail application filed by one of the defendants in the alleged ₦2.04 billion money laundering trial involving staff of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC.

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At the resumed sitting, Mordecai Adejo, counsel to the first defendant, Felix Njoku, a former Director of Finance, NRC, informed the court that he had filed a motion for bail dated February 3, 2026, supported by a four-paragraph affidavit and a written address, which he adopted as his argument before the court.

Court

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Court Jails Truck Driver, Orders Forfeiture Of 25 Tons Of Lithium Minerals In Ilorin

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State has convicted and sentenced a 50-year-old truck driver, Kasimu Bawa, to two years imprisonment for unlawful possession of minerals valued at N2.4million.

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Bawa was arraigned on November 1, 2022, by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Commission on a one-count charge bordering on possession of minerals without lawful authority.

The charge reads:

“That you, Kasimu Bawa, sometime in the month of September 2022, at Share, along Tsaragi Road, in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, without lawful authority, came into possession of minerals, to wit: 25 tons of minerals worth the sum of N2,498,000.00 (Two Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Eight Thousand Naira), conveyed in a DAF truck with Registration Number KEY 777ZF and Chassis Number KLRAD85XCOE603462, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(8)(b)(i) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1984.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him, prompting a full trial.

During the proceedings, the prosecution called two witnesses, including a Chief Remote Sensing Officer (CRSO) of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Ifarinde Odeyemi, and the investigating officer. The defence also presented two witnesses, including the defendant.

Odeyemi told the court that laboratory analysis conducted on the seized minerals confirmed them to be lepidolite, a lithium-bearing mineral.

In his final written address, prosecuting counsel, Innocent Mbachie, urged the court to convict the defendant, having proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. He also requested the forfeiture of the truck and minerals to the Federal Government.

Trucks

Delivering judgment, Justice Awogboro found Bawa guilty and sentenced him to two years imprisonment with an option of N5 million fine. The court further ordered the forfeiture of the truck and the minerals to the Federal Government.

The convict’s journey to the Correctional Centre started when he was arrested by operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on September 9, 2022, at Share, along Tsaragi Road in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, while transporting 25 tons of suspected illegally mined minerals valued at N2.4 million. He was charged to court and convicted.

The convict was the driver of a truck used in conveying minerals allegedly purchased without a licence by a Chinese national, Gang Deng, who was earlier convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment on October 19, 2022 by the same court.

EFCC: Awka, Enugu Directorates Strengthen Regional Synergy Against Corruption In South-East

The Awka and Enugu Zonal Directorates of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have reaffirmed their commitment to stronger inter-zonal collaboration, intelligence sharing and operational synergy in the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes across the south-east region.

This formed the crux of a strategic working visit by Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Ofen-Imu Atiba Sunday, the Acting Zonal Director, Awka Zonal Directorate of the Commission and his management team to the Commander of the EFCC, CE Daniel Isei, the Zonal Director, Enugu where both leaders deliberated on operational efficiency, logistics support, case management, intelligence coordination and collaborative enforcement strategies.

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Speaking during the visit, Sunday, while appreciating Isei for his continued support towards the growth and operational stability of the newly-created Directorate in Awka, noted that even with logistical and operational challenges confronting the new Directorate, particularly in the area of manpower, mobility and forensic support, the Directorate was already recording impressive operational results.

“The records achieved within the short period of our operations have been remarkable and have further demonstrated the value of teamwork, mentorship and institutional cooperation. We have enormous intelligence and operational responsibilities before us, but logistics remain a major challenge. This is why collaboration, synergy and mutual support between Awka and Enugu Directorates are very crucial”, he said.

Responding, Isei commended the leadership of the Commission for establishing the Awka Directorate, describing the development as a strategic step towards strengthening the anti-corruption fight in the south-east. “The creation of Awka Directorate has significantly reduced operational pressure on Enugu and brought the services of the Commission closer to the people. It was both logical and operationally expedient”, he said.

While assuring the visiting team of Enugu Directorate’s unalloyed support particularly in the areas of joint operations, intelligence coordination, logistics and case management, the Director also emphasized the importance of mentorship, professional and institutional continuity within the Commission.

“Nothing stops both Directorates from carrying out joint operations and intelligence sharing. What is important is our collective commitment to operational efficiency and effective service delivery. But it is also imperative to note that one of the greatest legacies an officer can leave behind is mentorship. Every officer must strive to transfer value, build capacity and inspire younger officers towards professionalism, integrity and excellence”, he said.

EFCC

On operational cooperation, the Enugu Zonal Director encouraged both Directorates to prioritize collaborative strategies capable of improving investigation and prosecution outcomes across the region. He also stressed the need for administrative flexibility in the transfer and handling of cases between both Directorates, where necessary.

Highlight of the visit was the exchange of souvenirs by both Directors as a symbol of unity, institutional partnership and shared commitment to the anti-corruption mandate of the Commission.