President Bola Tinubu has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its record-breaking achievements in combating financial crimes, recovering illicit assets and strengthening Nigeria’s international financial standing. He also called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the fight against corruption. The President gave the commendation in Abuja on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the opening ceremony of the 8th EFCC/National Judicial Institute (NJI) Workshop for Judges and Justices. The workshop is themed “Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes in a Digital Age.” Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu particularly commended the EFCC’s efforts to tackle…
Author: Staff Editor
At the continuation of the trial of social media influencer Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, on Monday, October 12, 2026, a prosecution witness, PW1, Dr Onuoha Okeigwe, told Justice R. A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, how he paid N69,150,000 for a five-year lease of a property allegedly represented to him as belonging to the influencer. Blessing CEO was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 9, 2026, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing, involving N69,150,000.…
Justice M.S. Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental human rights suit filed by Abuja-based businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. In the originating suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, Achimugu approached the court for determination of whether the defendant, EFCC’s action of searching her house and seizing her cars and jewelries and other items was within the powers of the Commission. Achimugu also asked the court to enforce her rights to privacy, including an order of the court restraining the defendant from threatening or harassing and invading her private residence. Part…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, October 12, 2026, arraigned Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) Plc and its director, Zavyalov Dmitry, before Justice O. A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged money laundering offences involving N582,430,250. The company and its director were arraigned on a six-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/644/2025. Dmitry is said to be at large. According to the charge, the company, a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP), and its director allegedly failed to report in writing to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) certain single transfers made from…
Zenith Bank Plc is set to launch the maiden edition of its Girl-Child Empowerment Programme, an initiative aimed at inspiring young girls to dream boldly, develop the skills and confidence to pursue their aspirations, and prepare for meaningful opportunities in the future. The event, themed “Banking On Her Tomorrow,” is the brainchild of the Bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, the first female GMD/CEO in Zenith Bank’s history and a strong advocate for girl-child education and empowerment. The event will be held virtually on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., a day after the…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, October 9, 2026, handed over $56,000 recovered in a suspected procurement fraud case to an American-based businesswoman, Mrs Adeshola Oshilaja. The handover took place at the Commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, Ikoyi, Lagos, bringing the total amount recovered for her to $104,950. The latest recovery represents the outstanding balance following an earlier payment of $48,950 made directly to Oshilaja by the defendant, Babatunde Samuel Akinsanmi. The recovery and handover followed an investigation into a petition filed by Oshilaja over the alleged failure of her business associate and family friend, Akinsanmi, to…
A joint venture agreement for the construction of 18 apartments has triggered a major property dispute in Lagos, with the landowner alleging that developer Levitikal expanded the project to more than 44 units, attempted to mortgage the entire property and sold apartments to third parties beyond its agreed entitlement. The dispute, involving Levitikal and Mr. Samuel Ajose, centres on a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) executed in May 2021 for the development of 18 three-bedroom apartments, to be shared equally between the landowner and the developer. Under the agreement, the landowner was entitled to nine apartments, while Levitikal was to retain…
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called for stronger collaboration and support from traditional institutions, the judiciary, security agencies and other critical stakeholders in Nasarawa and Plateau states to combat economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in Nigeria. He made the call through the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC’s Abuja Zonal Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Michael Wetkas, during a series of engagements with key institutions in the two states. The engagements, which took place between October 2 and October 6, 2026, were aimed…
The plight of innocent property owners at the hands of land grabbers has become one of the most disturbing trends in the country today. This menace demands the urgent attention of government, before it destroys public confidence in property ownership, law enforcement and the administration of justice altogether. The way these land grabbers now operate gives the frightening impression that in certain spaces,there is no government at all, or that where government exists, its institutions have become too weak, too compromised, or too indifferent to protect innocent citizens. This is not an exaggeration. The brazenness with which some of these…
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, arraigned Ali Bala (a.k.a. Barrister Ahmed) and Yusuf Umar Anka before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over alleged theft and money laundering involving £110,000 (One Hundred and Ten Thousand Pounds Sterling). The duo are standing trial on a 10-count charge bordering on stealing, money laundering and retention of stolen property. Count one reads: “That you, ALI BALA (a.k.a. Barrister Ahmed) and YUSUF UMAR ANKA, sometime in 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable…