News
EFCC Arraigns Two for Possession of Solid Minerals without Licence

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 arraigned two persons for offences bordering on possession of solid minerals without lawful authority.
They are Nura Lawal and Tunde Jimoh.
The defendants were arraigned on one-count charge before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State.
While Lawal was the driver of a truck allegedly conveying about 30 tons of assorted solid minerals, Jimoh was the escort of the truck.
Their journey to the dock started when the Ilorin Command of the EFCC received intelligence about the activities of some people who were engaged in mining of solid minerals within Kwara and transporting same outside for commercial purposes without lawful authority. The Commission swung into action and eventually arrested the two defendants on February 4, 2024 in Ogbomosho area of Oyo State.
The charge against the defendants reads:
“That you, Nura Lawal and Tunde Jimoh sometime in February 2024 within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, without lawful authority were found in possession of minerals conveyed in a truck with plate number T3815LA contrary to, and punishable under Section 1 (8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983”
Lawal pleaded guilty to the charge read in English Language and interpreted to him in Hausa Language, while Jimoh pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following the pleas by the defendants, counsel to the EFCC, Mustapha Kaigama, urged the court to fix a date for review facts in the case of Lawal that pleaded guilty and trial in the case of the second defendant (Jimoh) that pleaded not guilty to the charge.
There was no objection to the prosecution’s prayer by Lawal’s counsel, C. I Ipinsokan. However, Jimoh’s counsel, Michael Adetayo urged the court to fix an early date to enable him move the bail application of his client, while praying the court to allow the defendant to continue on the administrative bail earlier granted him by the Commission.
Justice Agomoh after listening to the parties, refused the prayer by Jimoh’s counsel, saying, “the proper place to keep an inmate under the law is the Nigerian Correctional Centre.” He also said, “the court cannot give a date to hear and determine a bail application that is yet to be filed before it.”
The judge thereafter ordered that the defendants be remanded at Nigerian Correctional Centre, Agodi, Ibadan and adjourned till June 5, 2024 for review of facts in Lawal’s case and trial in the case of Jimoh.
News
EFCC arraigns one for suspected internet fraud in Uyo

The Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Omereonye Solomon Chigozie (a.k.a Kolor Cabiek Ye) before Justice Maurine A. Oyetenu of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State for alleged internet fraud to the tune of $1,500 ( One Thousand Five Hundred United States Dollars).
He was arraigned on Thursday, March 20, 2025 on a two-count charge bordering on impersonation, possession of fictitious messages and obtaining by false pretence through a fictitious Facebook account: “Kolor Cabiek Ye”.
One of the charges reads, “That you Omereonye Solomon Chigozie (a.k.a Kolor Cabiek Ye) Sometime between 2019 and 2024 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to obtain property and gain advantage fraudulently presented yourself as Kolor Cabiek Ye on social media platform (Facebook) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2)(b) (i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) (Amendment) Act 2024 and punishable under Section 22(2) (b) (iv) of the scime Act”.
Count two reads “That you Chigozie Omereonye Solomon (aka Kolor Cabiek Ye) sometime between 2019 and 2024 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did take possession of the sum of $1500 (One Thousand, Five Hundred United States Dollars) while impersonating Kolor Cabiek Ye on Facebook which you reasonably ought to have known forms proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act”.
Chigozie pleaded not guilty to both counts when they were read to him.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Enobong Ubokudom prayed the court to fix a date for commencement of trial and remand him in a Correctional Centre. Defence counsel, Ikwere Davies did not oppose the prayers.
Justice Onyetenu adjourned the matter to May 22, 2025 for trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Correctional Centre, Uyo.
Chigozie was arrested in Uyo on October 3, 2024 on credible intelligence regarding his suspicious activities on the internet. Investigations showed that he impersonated foreigners to defraud his victims across the world.
News
Catholic priest kidnapped in Imo

A Catholic priest identified as Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, has been abducted by unknown gunmen along Ejemekwuru road in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo state.
According to a statement signed by the Secretary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri Reverend Father Patrick Mbarah, the priest was kidnapped on Sunday March 23rd, 2025 on his way to the Priests’ Annual retreat.
The Archdiocese called on all Christian faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the quick and safe release of the priest.
Meanwhile the Imo State Police Command through its spokesman Henry Okoye said the Commissioner of Police, Danjuma Aboki, has launched an investigation into the incident and has directed an intelligence led operation for the possible rescue and release of the priest unconditionally.
He urged the general public to help the police with any useful information that might aid the work of the police in securing the release of the abducted priest.
News
Fubara denies links with militants

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has refuted allegations linking him with militant groups, dismissing recent social media posts and videos as fake and malicious attempts to incite tension in the state.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the Fubara condemned the circulation of fabricated videos purportedly depicting explosions at oil and gas facilities in the state.
The statement clarified that affected communities have debunked the claims, assuring that all critical infrastructure remains intact and operational.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no link to any militant group, does not contemplate any such association, and has no reason to encourage any criminal elements to undertake actions that threaten peace, security, or the economy,” the statement read.
Fubara restated his commitment to maintaining peace in Rivers State, emphasising that governance and development can only thrive in a stable environment.
He also warned against attempts to exploit the state’s ongoing political crisis for ulterior motives.
Fubara further cautioned bloggers and social media influencers against spreading false information, stating that their actions could escalate tensions and disrupt stability.
He urged security agencies to investigate and take decisive action against those responsible for spreading misinformation.
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