Category Nigeria News

The Court of Appeal in Sokoto has upheld the Federal High Court’s decision dismissing the appeal filed by former governor Bello Matawalle, challenging the decision that the official vehicles he allegedly carted away after he lost at the 2023 General Elections were his personal property.

Recalled that in June 2023, based on a complaint by the Zamfara State Government, the Zamfara Police raided the residence of Matawalle, seizing more than 40 official vehicles in his possession.

A statement by the Spokesperson of the Zamfara State Governor, Sulaiman Idris, said that a three-member panel of the Appeal Court, in a unanimous decision by Justice A.M Talba on 08 August 2025, dismissed Matawalle’s appeal.

According to him, the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CS//S/2024 – Bello Muhammed Matawalle vs Nigeria Police & Others, held that the decision of the Federal High Court Sokoto division on the right of the Police to investigate allegations of commission of crime was correct.

It further held that Matawalle failed to adduce credible evidence to support his claim of ownership of the 40 vehicles recovered from his residence, as such lacks justification to allege that his fundamental right to own property has been breached.

The statement reads: “In June 2023, the Zamfara State Government gave former governor Bello Matawalle and his deputy five working days to return all vehicles stolen.

“However, all attempts to recover these vehicles were unsuccessful, prompting the Zamfara State Government to seek a court order. After the order was issued, police recovered over 40 vehicles.

“After the vehicles were recovered, Bello Matawalle approached the Federal High Court in Gusau, and the court granted an order that the cars be returned to him. Additionally, he filed a separate suit at the same court, seeking to enforce his fundamental right to own property, including the vehicles in question.

“The Zamfara State Government requested the transfer of the case to the Sokoto division of the Federal High Court.

“The Federal High Court of Nigeria, Sokoto Judicial Division, dismissed the matter in December 2023 and refused to grant any of the reliefs sought by Bello Matawalle. As a result, the vehicles are still considered the property of the Zamfara State Government.”

Not satisfied with the Federal High Court’s judgment, Bello Matawalle approached the Appeal Court.

However, in an updated statement by the government house said the Appeal Court delivered judgment against the former governor.

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“⁠The Appeal Court last Friday upheld the entirety of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Sokoto, affirming that the police have the power to investigate allegations of the commission of a crime upon receipt of a complaint”.

Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has said that over 15,000 herders and their families have so far relocated outside Nigeria due to prevalent security challenges in the country.

Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of inauguration of the newly elected Kwara state MACBAN chairman, Alhaji Shehu Garba, in Ilorin, the national president of the MACBAN, Alhaji Baba Nglzarma, said that the Fulani pastoralists are the worst affected by banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and terrorism in the country.

Nglzarma also said that over 40,000 cattle have so far been lost to cattle rustling, adding that several numbers of Fulanis have been killed due to insecurity in the country.

According to him there should be a community-based approach that will involve every stakeholder to solve security challenges bedeviling the people.

Alhaji Nglzarma, who condemned the ethnic profiling of Fulani people as criminal elements, said that people should not always believe everything they see on social media.

To reduce cases of security challenges in the country to the barest minimum, he called for collaboration of host communities, indigenous Fulani and other stakeholders towards fashioning out organic solutions.

Alhaji Nglzarma said the leadership of Fulanis was working with different stakeholders to ensure peaceful coexistence in the country.

The Fulani leader commended the federal and the state government for the introduction of Livestock Development ministry in the country.

“The leadership of the association is also finding solutions to put an end to the situation whereby herders continue to wander about with their cattle. We’ve found out that the practice is no longer sustainable because ofthe  increasing population. We’re looking at having a single herders’ settlement. Everyone wants to enjoy life”.

Nglzarma, who said that the Fulani population in the country required adequate support to ensure survival of their livestock business, added that livestock is their only means of economic livelihood.

He also commended Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state on his efforts at ensuring that security issue is given topmost priority.

In his address, Special Adviser to the Kwara state governor on security, Muyideen Aliyu, said the state government will collaborate with the Fulani community to ensure safety and security in the state

He advised the Fulani leaders to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons in their midst to ensure prompt action by law enforcement agencies.

Also speaking, the Hardon Hardodi (Fulani head) in Kwara state, Alhaji Mahmud Ojonla, who was represented by Alhaji Ali Muhammed Jowuro, advised those in positions of authority to ensure fairness and justice in their dealings with people.

He urged members of the MACBAN to remain vigilant and contribute their quota in ensuring safety and security in their various communities.

In her remarks the Special Assistant to Kwara state governor on Fulani, Hajiya Aishatu Yusuf, advised the Fulani to ensure peace and harmony among them and other ethnic groups in the state.

READ ALSO: 12 Killed In Kano Road Accident

Hajiya Yusuf urged the leaders to conduct their affairs of overseeing their people with fear of God.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the Chairman Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Kwara State Chapter, Alhaji Shehu Garba thanked the Fulani people for putting their trust in them.

He assured that the new leadership will collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure peaceful coexistence between the herders and farmers in the state.

At least 12 people have been confirmed dead in a road accident in the Garun Malam Local Government Area of Kano State.

The incident, which occurred along the Zaria–Kano Highway, around Samawa Village in the early hours of Friday, involved a DAF Trailer with registration number KMC 931 ZE, loaded with goods and passengers.

Channels Television learnt that the incident was caused by a mechanical fault when the trailer’s cab hook broke, causing the cab to detach from the trailer’s body and resulting in loss of control.

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As a result, 12 out of 19 people involved in the crash were said to have been killed, leaving five injured and two rescued unhurt.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, the deceased were moved to Nasarawa Hospital Mortuary, while the injured are receiving treatment at Kura General Hospital.

Reacting to the crash, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, described the tragedy as avoidable and urged transport operators to phase out old, mechanically unsafe vehicles from their fleets.

Mohammed warned against the dangerous practice of loading goods, animals, and passengers in the same vehicle, adding that such violations would attract stiffer sanctions going forward.

While commiserating with the families of the deceased, the corps marshal reiterated the FRSC’s commitment to intensifying enforcement on speed violations, overloading, and poor vehicle maintenance, particularly among truck operators.

“The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has once again called on transport owners to prioritise periodic fleet renewal and proper vehicle maintenance following a tragic lone crash that claimed 12 lives at Samawa Village, Garun Malam Local Government Area of Kano State, on August 15, 2025,” the statement partly read.

He pointed out that the recurring loss of lives from preventable crashes underscored the urgent need for haulage companies to adopt modern fleet renewal practices and adhere to safety regulations.

Two persons suspected to be kidnappers have been arrested in the Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The suspects identified as Yahaya Umar and Mohammed Umar were found in possession of an AK-47 rifle. 

The arrest is sequel to credible intelligence on the activities of some suspected kidnappers in their hideout located at Mahadi forest of Gassol local council by the anti-kidnapping squad in collaboration with the hunters. 

The breakthrough, according to a press statement issued by ASP James Lashen, acting Police Public Relations Officer in Taraba, is part of efforts to tackle kidnapping and violent crimes in the state.

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While the case is under investigation, the suspects are said to have confessed to be part of the syndicate terrorising Plateau and Taraba States lately. 

The State Commissioner of Police, Betty Enekpen, applauded the operatives for their swift action and reassured the public of the Command’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful Taraba. 

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted four internet fraudsters arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at a hotel located within the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Vacation judge, Justice Deinde Dipeolu, convicted the four who were arraigned separately before him after they pleaded guilty to various cybercrime-related offences. A fifth defendant pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody pending trial.

The convicts, Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji, Isaac Akinwale, Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo and Bisiriyu Roqeeb Abiodun are among a larger pool of 93 suspected internet fraudsters arrested during a sting operation by the EFCC on Sun, August 10th at a Pool Party in the hotel where they were celebrating their exploits.

In a press release on Thursday, the EFCC had initially said it will arraign 23 of the 93 in the first batch of the exercise but on Friday, only 21 suspects were brought before the court. They faced multiple charges bordering on false pretence, identity theft, and obtaining money under false pretence, contrary to the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the EFCC Act, 2004.

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The courtroom was packed full and the vacation judge who also listened to other pending cases before him could only accommodate 5 out of the 21 suspected internet fraudsters brought before the court, despite sitting as early as 9am and as late as 6pm.

One of the convicts, Azeez Olatunji, was said to have fraudulently presently himself as “Camila” on his google account with intent to gain advantage for himself, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b)) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Efc.) Act, 2015.

At his arraignment, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, from the date of arrest, with an option of a N500,000 fine.

A second convict, Isaac Akinwale who was alleged to
fraudulently held out himself as Monica and Daisy a to unsuspecting members of the public, with intent to gain undue advantage pleaded guilty to defrauding his victim of $500, and after reviewing the evidence against him, Justice Dipeolu sentenced him to three months’ imprisonment with the option of a N1 million fine.

The prosecution, led by Franklin Ofoma, tendered as exhibits a 2017 Toyota Camry, a Galaxy Note 9 phone, an iPhone 16 pro max as well as a bank draft of N400,000 made as restitution to the victim. The court ordered the forfeiture of all these items to the Federal Government.

A third convict , Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo pleaded guilty to two counts of impersonation and retaining N600,000 in criminal proceeds. He was however said to have made restitution of the sum back to the victim.

The court convicted and sentenced him to 30 days of community service at Igbesa in Ogun State. The judge also specifically ordered that within the hours of 9-5pm in his community, he must carry a placard with the inscriptions: “Cybercrime Does Not Pay”, and “Stay Away from Cybercrime”, and is to be supervised by the EFCC and officers of the Correctional Centre.

A fourth convict, Roqeeb Abiodun pleaded guilty to fraudulently representing himself as ‘Sharon’, a White American Female to one Cinton from Knoxville Tennessee through his ‘Zangi’ account, with intent to gain undue advantage and also benefiting the sum of $200, was convicted and sentenced to one month imprisonment, with the option of fine of N500,000.

The judge also ordered that a Samsung Galaxy S20 recovered from him and the N200,000 in restitution be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

A fifth defendant, Onunoye Fawas Olamilekan however pleaded not guilty to charges of impersonating “Nurse Becky” on Facebook and retaining $50 obtained through fraud.

His lawyer challenged the validity of the charge, arguing that the cited section of the Cybercrimes Act did not exist. Justice Dipeolu ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending trial which was fixed for October 31, 2025.

The charges against them reads:

That you Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji, (male), sometime in August, 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently held yourself as one
“Camila” on your google account: [email protected] with intent to gain advantage for yourself, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b)) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Efc.) Act, 2015”.

“That you, Akinwale Isaac, (male), sometime in 2025, within the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently held out yourself on your WhatsApp account, Monica and Daisy, as a female to unsuspecting members of the public, with intent to gain advantage for yourself, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2015.

“That you, Akinwale Isaac (Male), sometime in 2025, within the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, with intent to defraud, retained in your control the sum of $500, proceeds of criminal conduct deceitfully obtained from unsuspecting members of the public, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17 of the EFCC Act No. 4 of 2004.

“That you, Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo (Male), sometime in 2025, within the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently held out yourself in your Gmail account ([email protected]) to unsuspecting members of the public as an expert in service certificates and internal revenue preparation, with intent to gain advantage for yourself, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2015.

“That you, Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo (Male), sometime in 2025, within the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, with intent to defraud, retained in your control N600,000, proceeds of criminal conduct deceitfully obtained from unsuspecting members of the public, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17 of the EFCC Act No. 4 of 2004.

The charge against Abiodun reads: “ That you, BISIRIYU ROQEEB ABIODUN (a.k.a ‘Sharon’) sometime in August, 2025 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession a ‘Zangi’ Account no: 1037375804 wherein you fraudulently represented yourself as ‘Sharon’ a White American Female to one Cinton from Knoxville Tennessee through your ‘Zangi’ account which is connected to your Samsung Galazy S20 with no: 09070156448 with intent to gain advantage for yourself contrary to S. 22(2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under S. 22(2) -(b) (iv) of the same law.”

The charge against Olamilekan reads: “That you, Onunoye Fawas Olamilekan (Male), sometime in 2025, within the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently held out yourself as “Nurse Becky” on your Facebook account ([email protected]) to unsuspecting members of the public, with intent to gain advantage for yourself, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2015.

Ahead of the by-elections in some parts of the country on Saturday, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the deployment of senior officers to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

The senior officers deployed are of the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioners of Police, and are expected to assist the Commissioners of police in the affected states.

Officers and men of the Police Mobile Force, Special Intervention Squad, Force Intelligence Department, and other tactical units have also been deployed.

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The affected states are Jigawa, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, Kogi, Niger, Enugu, and Zamfara.

“Sequel to the forthcoming by-election in 13 states across the federation scheduled to hold tomorrow, August 16, 2025, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has reiterated his earlier directives on the deployment of operational logistics to the affected states and local government areas where the elections would hold to provide an enabling environment for a free and fair elections.

“To ensure smooth elections, the IGP has directed the deployment of senior officers of the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioners of Police to assist state commissioners of police to ensure proper supervision over the electoral process for a smooth and hitch free election, while officers and men of the Police Mobile Force, Special Intervention Squad, Force Intelligence Department and other tactical units have equally been deployed,” a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Ogunjobi, read in part.

The IGP also ordered the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation, from 12 am to 6 pm on election day within affected local government areas except those on essential services, including officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accredited media, and electoral observers, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, and firefighters.

Egbetokun reiterated the ban on all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election.

He also noted that state-established and owned security outfits or organisations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guards and security outfits were also barred from participating in election security management.

The police chief urged all officers deployed for the special duty to ensure compliance with the NPF standard operational protocols for elections and further urged all citizens to be law-abiding during and after the elections.

He assured that all necessary security arrangements had been provided to ensure that the right to vote is not obstructed.

INEC said on Thursday that the by-elections would be held in 16 constituencies across 12 states of the federation, involving two senatorial districts in Anambra and Edo states, five federal constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun and Oyo states; and nine state constituencies in Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba and Zamfara states.

It said the by-elections were caused by the resignation or death of serving members of the national and state assemblies.

“Similarly, the court-ordered re-run election in Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Anambra State and the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State will be held simultaneously with the by-elections.

“All non-sensitive materials for the election have been delivered to the States. Election technology, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), has been configured for the election. The recruitment and training of ad hoc staff, as well as security and logistics arrangements, have been concluded.