NAF Advances M-346A Fighter Pilot Training Through Canadian Partnership

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified efforts to strengthen its operational capability through a strategic collaboration with the International Test Pilots School (ITPS), Ontario, Canada. This was highlighted during a courtesy visit by the Executive Chairman of ITPS, Giorgio Clementi, to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at Headquarters NAF, Abuja, on 24 April 2026.

The engagement builds on earlier high-level interactions during the CAS’s visit to Canada, where both sides explored key areas of cooperation, particularly in specialised pilot training on the M-346FA platform, aircraft engineering, and airworthiness standards.

In his remarks, Air Marshal Aneke underscored that the collaboration is central to the NAF’s modernisation drive, which prioritises the development of a highly skilled, mission-ready, and technologically advanced force.

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He emphasised that specialised fighter pilot training on the M-346FA, alongside strengthened airworthiness practices and capacity development for engineers, will significantly enhance operational effectiveness.

The CAS further noted that structured training programmes, instructor development, and the integration of advanced simulation technologies are critical enablers for improving safety, efficiency, and mission readiness across NAF operations.

Providing an overview of ITPS capabilities, Mr Clementi highlighted the institution’s expertise in test pilot training, flight testing, and aviation consultancy, reaffirming its readiness to deliver tailored training solutions under a long-term partnership framework.

Canadian Partnership

The visit also featured an interactive session with Branch Chiefs and Directors at Headquarters NAF, where both parties aligned perspectives on implementation modalities.

The engagement concluded with a shared commitment to translate identified areas of cooperation into tangible outcomes, reinforcing the NAF’s resolve to leverage strategic partnerships and global best practices to sustain operational readiness.

Alleged ₦80.2bn Kogi Fraud: Court Dismisses Defence Counsel’s Objection, Hears Further Testimony on Cash–Dollar Transactions

The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Friday, April 24, 2026, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the court dismissing an objection by the defence counsel and allowing the prosecution to proceed with its case.

Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 19-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of ₦80,246,470,088.88.

At the resumed hearing on Friday, Justice Nwite gave a ruling on an objection raised by defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, at the previous sitting. The judge held that the objection lacked merit.

Daudu had objected that the prosecution team was attempting to contradict its own witness and suggested that the witness should have been declared hostile. The argument was turned down by lead Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, who pointed out that the witness “was very unequivocal and unambiguous”

Ruling on Daudu’s objection, Justice Nwite stressed that “the objection is speculative and misconceived,” adding that the relevant provisions of Section 239 of the Evidence Act were applicable. He consequently overruled the objection and ordered the continuation of trial.

Following the ruling, the prosecution counsel, Pinheiro proceeded with the examination of the twelfth prosecution witness, PW12, Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator.

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In his testimony, Abdullahi reiterated his dealings with Abba Adaudu, whom he described as the individual he transacted business with in respect of multiple foreign exchange conversions.

“I remember giving Ali, a police officer, a MOPOL, dollars at Fraser Suites on Abba Adaudu’s instruction. Whenever he was not available, he usually sent people to pick up his dollars,” the witness said.

The witness also gave further insight into transactions relating to school fees payments, explaining that he relied on colleagues in the Bureau de Change market when he lacked sufficient dollar inflow to execute transfers.

“Alyeshua Services, Forza Oil and Gas and Whales Oil and Gas Limited are companies belonging to my colleagues.

When I didn’t have the required inflow to process school fees payments, I contacted them, agreed on rates and paid them to handle the transactions,” he said.

According to him, the instruction for the school fees payments was given by Abba Adaudu.

“He came with a friend on a Saturday with cash in dollars and asked me to transfer the money for the payment of school fees for Zahra and Fatima Bello. The transfers were successful,” he said.

While shown documents earlier tendered by the prosecution, the witness identified several of them as records of transactions he facilitated, though he noted that a few were not directly handled by him.

Under cross-examination, Abdullahi confirmed that he made a statement to the EFCC on May 10, 2022, in relation to the matter.

“My statement was taken on May 10, 2022, and it is the only statement I made to the EFCC on this matter,” he said.

He also clarified his role in the transactions, stating that although he did not personally execute all transfers, he instructed and facilitated them.

“Yes, I instructed the transactions, though I did not carry them out myself,” he said.

On the issue of the source of funds used for school fees payments, the witness maintained that the money did not emanate from the accounts earlier referenced in court.

“The $300,000 used for the school fees was given to me in cash by Abba Adaudu and his associate. I did not use funds from those accounts for the payments,” he said.

Yahaya Bello

Abdullahi further explained the operational structure of the Bureau de Change market, noting that collaboration among operators was common when handling large transactions.

“In the Bureau de Change market, when one cannot handle a transaction due to insufficient inflow, colleagues are engaged. I gave both cash dollars and naira transfers based on agreed rates to facilitate the payments,” he said.

Justice Nwite thereafter adjourned the matter to May 6 and 7, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination of PW12 and further trial.

Fraudulent Shipping Agent Arrested As Navy Clears Its Personnel Of Misconduct

The Nigerian Navy has arrested and handed over a suspected fraudulent shipping agent, Mr Nsikak Sunday Ekpo, to the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Calabar for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The arrest followed a directive from Naval Headquarters after a complaint received through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alleging that a sum of four hundred thousand naira was paid to Nigerian Navy personnel to provide security for Motor Vessel CHIMBA Express, a Cameroonian-registered vessel operating within the Calabar Channel.

The allegation was linked to an incident on 22 December 2025 when personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY, NNS OSE and Forward Operating Base (FOB) IBAKA responded to a distress call involving a fire outbreak onboard the vessel. The swift and coordinated response of the Nigerian Navy led to the successful rescue of the vessel and its crew.

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Subsequently, claims emerged suggesting that naval personnel received payment for security services and abandoned the vessel without refund. However, a comprehensive investigation by the Nigerian Navy established that its personnel neither solicited nor received any payment, nor entered into any form of security arrangement with the vessel’s owners.

Investigations further revealed that Mr Nsikak Sunday Ekpo, an agent with PINAPAT Shipping Agency in Calabar, fraudulently collected the sum under false pretence, claiming it was meant for Nigerian Navy personnel involved in the rescue operation.

Fraudulent Shipping Agent

The Nigerian Navy reiterates its unwavering commitment to professionalism, integrity and accountability, and will continue to take decisive action against any individual or group attempting to tarnish its image or exploit its operations for personal gain.

The suspect has since been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further necessary action.