Category Nigeria News

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a Lagos-based socialite and businessman, Fred Ajudua, pending his re-arraignment for an alleged $1.43m fraud.

He was arrested in Abuja on Tuesday and is in the custody of the EFCC.

The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, declined to comment on the arrest.

Ajudua, is standing trial for allegedly defrauding a German company over three decades ago.

The Supreme Court had on Friday, May 9, 2025, ordered his remand and revoked a bail granted him by the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division.

In a unanimous ruling, the apex court held that the Appeal Court erred in granting bail and ordered Ajudua’s return to correctional custody.

The court also directed trial judge, Justice Mojisola Dada, of the Lagos State High Court, to resume hearing of the criminal case.

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Canadian, Nigerian Over ₦452m, $210,000 Fraud

Ajudua was initially charged before Justice Josephine Oyefeso of the Lagos High Court, but the case was later re-filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and reassigned to Justice Dada.

At his re-arraignment on July 6, 2018, Justice Dada denied Ajudua’s bail application on health grounds, noting that the case had suffered repeated delays for over 13 years.

“This case is one of the oldest in Lagos State. Bail is refused and the defendant is to be remanded in prison custody,” she ruled.

Following the ruling, Ajudua’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, approached the Court of Appeal in Lagos, where Justice Mohammed Garba overturned Justice Dada’s decision, holding that bail was a constitutional right.

A bill seeking to convert the Yaba College of Technology in Lagos State into a full-fledged university has scaled the second reading in the Senate, marking a significant step toward upgrading the institution’s academic status.

The proposed legislation, titled a ‘Bill for an Act to establish the Yaba Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Lagos State’, was debated today during plenary.

Leading the debate, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, noted that the upgrade of the polytechnic to a university had already received presidential approval, and the bill aimed to give it full legislative backing.

READ ALSO: Senate Seeks Inclusion Of Local Govt Councils In FAAC

According to Bamidele, the proposed university would offer a broad range of academic programs with a focus on technical and vocational education in line with national development goals.

“This bill represents a bold step in Nigeria’s push for accessible, modern education tailored to the demands of a 21st-century economy. It will provide facilities for learning, encourage research with a focus on technical fields, and be open to all Nigerians, regardless of background,” he said.

Troops of the Nigerian Army have dismantled 21 large-scale illegal refining sites and recovered over 591,000 litres of stolen crude oil and refined products across the Niger Delta, as part of ongoing efforts to combat oil theft.

The operations were conducted in collaboration with other security agencies between 28 April and 11 May 2025.

“In line with the operational mandate, troops discovered and dismantled 21 illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products, including crude oil and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), in several states across the Niger Delta,” a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, read.

The army also confirmed the arrest of 36 suspected oil thieves during coordinated raids.

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Canadian, Nigerian Over ₦452m, $210,000 Fraud

In Rivers State, troops uncovered five illegal refining sites in the Abua/Odual Local Government Area of the state, following the discovery of a 15-kilometre hose connected to an illegal loading point.

The operation led to the seizure of over 350,000 litres of AGO and an additional 100,000 litres of crude oil concealed in dugouts.

Recovered items included electric cables, a pumping machine, and borehole infrastructure.

Along the fringes of the Imo River, seven illegal refining sites were destroyed.

The troops also confiscated 21,500 litres of stolen crude packaged in bags, demobilised five boats, and intercepted a truck carrying 20,000 litres of stolen oil in Eleme, Rivers State.

In Bonny, a Pureputt boat laden with 10,000 litres of stolen products was also discovered, while additional illegal activities were disrupted in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West.

According to the statement, the troops intercepted a DAF XF380 tanker conveying 45,000 litres of stolen AGO and arrested three suspects in Bayelsa State.

A wooden boat containing 1,000 litres of concealed crude was also found in a creek between Oyeregbene and Babragbene communities.

In Akwa Ibom, soldiers intercepted a tanker suspected to be transporting 16,500 litres of stolen crude in Uyo, while security operatives intercepted vehicles carrying over 1,250 litres of AGO and recovered arms and ammunition in Oshimili South, Delta State.

“All arrested suspects have been handed over to the appropriate agencies for prosecution, while seizures made were handled in line with our operational procedures,” the statement added.

The Army also highlighted the role of the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, who has been undertaking continuous operational tours across the region.

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested two high-profile suspects for their alleged roles in a series of cyber and financial crimes, including a $210,000 investment scam and a ₦452 million charity fraud scheme.

Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

He said the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja confirmed the arrests of Robert Harms, a Canadian national, and Ms. Okeke Njaka, a Nigerian, in separate operations coordinated by INTERPOL operatives.

READ ALSO: Gunmen Invade Plateau Market, Abduct Five, Cart Away Goods

Harms was arrested over a fraudulent investment scheme targeting Tepison Enterprises, a company based in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

According to the statement, acting on a petition filed by the firm, police investigations revealed that the Canadian was introduced to the company through a Polaris Bank account officer in June 2023.

PRESS RELEASE

FINANCIAL CRIMES: POLICE NET TWO HIGH-PROFILE CYBER CRIMINALS, ARRAIGN SUSPECTS IN COURT.

In the ongoing fight against transnational financial crimes, the Nigeria Police Force INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja has once again achieved significant… pic.twitter.com/vIuaiPALK4

He was said to have convinced Tepison Enterprises to invest $210,000 in a fake Waste-to-Energy Project in Canada by promising a $30,000 return within four weeks.

“Under this pretence, Tepison Enterprises transferred $210,000 to secure a fabricated ‘capital project bond,’” the police said.

Further investigation showed that Harms had forged a “Project Bridge Loan Agreement” and transferred the funds through a Bureau de Change in Abuja to an account in Dubai.

He also falsely claimed affiliation with VDQ-NRG Systems Limited, a claim denied by the company’s chief executive officer.

See the full statement below:

FINANCIAL  CRIMES: POLICE NET TWO HIGH-PROFILE CYBER CRIMINALS, ARRAIGN SUSPECTS IN COURT.

In the ongoing fight against transnational financial crimes, the Nigeria Police Force INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja has once again achieved significant breakthroughs, apprehending two high-profile suspects wanted for investment fraud and cybercrime. These arrests underscore the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to tackling both financial and cyber related threats.

Following a meticulous investigation, INTERPOL NCB Abuja successfully apprehended Robert Harms, a Canadian national, in connection with a fraudulent investment scheme targeting Tepison Enterprises, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. The investigation was initiated following a formal petition by the company. The complainant alleged that Harms, introduced through a Polaris Bank account officer in June 2023, fraudulently induced them to invest in a fictitious Waste-to-Energy Project in Canada. Under this pretence, Tepison Enterprises transferred $210,000 to secure a fabricated “capital project bond,” with promises of a $30,000 return within four weeks, returns which never materialised.

Investigations revealed that Harms fabricated a fraudulent Project Bridge Loan Agreement and orchestrated the transfer of funds to an account in Dubai through Allah Mai Girma Bureau de Change in Abuja. Further inquiries confirmed that Harms had no legitimate affiliation with VDQ-NRG Systems Limited, the Canadian company he falsely claimed to represent, the CEO of VDQ-NRG Systems Limited when contacted denied any knowledge of or association with Harms. Harms was apprehended by INTERPOL operatives on February 7, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while attempting to flee to Canada. Harms admitted to receiving the funds and violating the investment agreement. Formal criminal charges were filed at the Federal High Court, Uyo, on April 22, 2025. Harms was arraigned on May 9, 2025, and remanded at the Uyo Custodial Centre. The case has been adjourned to May 20, 2025.

In a separate operation, INTERPOL NCB Abuja also successfully re-apprehended Ms. Okeke Ogechi Njaka, who is wanted for series of cybercrimes and fraud-related offences, including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, obtaining money under false pretences, cheating, and criminal breach of trust. The case against Njaka was initiated in September 2020, following a report filed by Hajia Maryam Shehu, represented by M.I. Tsav & Co. Legal Practitioners & Notaries Public, Abuja. Investigations revealed Njaka’s active involvement in cyberstalking and cyberbullying through multiple social media platforms, where she maliciously distributed nude photos and videos of her victims.

Njaka was declared wanted via a Special Police Gazette Bulletin issued in 2021. She was initially arrested in Anambra State on January 4, 2025, but subsequently absconded after jumping administrative bail. Persistent intelligence-led efforts led to her re-arrest on May 8, 2025, in her hideout in Abuja. Njaka will be arraigned before the Federal High Court on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Furthermore, Njaka’s non-governmental organisation, Ogechi Helping Hands Foundation, is also facing prosecution for allegedly obtaining N452,821,982 in a medical assistance scam before the Federal High Court Abuja, along with Emeka Ezeogbo and Tolotolo Family Foundation.

The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP kayode Egbetokun Ph.D, NPM once again emphasises its unyielding resolve to combatting all forms of transnational financial crimes and urges  members of the public to exercise utmost caution and due diligence before entering into high-value international agreements and to promptly report any suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,

FORCE HEADQUARTERS,

ABUJA.

The Senate has called on the Federal Government to ensure the inclusion of one representative from each local government council across the states, and one per area council in the Federal Capital Territory in Federal Account Allocation Committee deliberations.

It also directed that the resolution be communicated to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, who serves as the FAAC Chairman, for immediate action.

The resolutions, in a move aimed at strengthening constitutional compliance and financial transparency at the grassroots level, followed a motion sponsored by Senator Barau Jibrin (Kano North) who emphasised that LGCs, as constitutionally recognised third-tier governments under Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), are entitled to a direct share from the Federation Account.

READ ALSO: Boko Haram: Senate Asks Military To Deploy Troops To Borno, Yobe

The Senate cited the Supreme Court’s ruling, which clarified that state governments act merely as conduits for transferring LG allocations and hold no ownership or discretionary powers over those funds.

The lawmakers further highlighted that while FAAC currently includes only representatives of the federal and state governments, Section 5 of the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc) Act 1981 excludes local governments, a provision now deemed inconsistent with the Constitution, following a landmark Supreme Court judgment delivered in July 2024.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday voted against a bill seeking rotational presidency in the country.

During plenary presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, the lower chamber also rejected six other constitution amendment bills after they failed to scale 2nd reading.

They include: A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to remove from Independent National Electoral Commission, the Powers of Registration and Regulation of political Parties in Nigeria and Transfer same to the Office of the Registrar General of Political Parties and for Related Matters (HB. 2227) (Hon. Abbas Tajudeen and Hon. Francis E. Waive)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Provide for the Principle of Rotation of the Offices of the President and the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria among the Six Geopolitical Zones of the Country, Namely: North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South, and South West and for Related Matters (HB. 2291) (Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu)

READ ALSO: ‘Nigeria First’ Policy To Contribute ₦3trn To Economy – Minister

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide for Establishment, Independence, and Functions of the Office of the State Auditors-General for Local Governments and the Federal Capital Territory Area Councils, to Strengthen Fiscal Oversight, Promote Accountability and enhance Good Governance at the Grassroots and for Related Matters (HB.2288) (Hon. Julius O. Ihonvbere)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide for the Number of Judges of the Federal High Court to be not less than one hundred or such other Number as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly and for Related Matters (HB.2279) (Hon. Julius O. Ihonvbere)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to expand the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to include Admiralty Jurisdiction, including Shipping and Navigation on the River Niger, River Benue and their effluents, and on such other Inland Waterways as may be designated by an Act of the National Assembly as International Waterways, all Federal Ports, and Carriage by Sea and for Related Matters (HB.2280) (Hon. Julius o. Ihonvbere)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Empower the National Judicial Council to Fix and Review, in conjunction with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Salaries, Allowances, and other Emoluments of Judicial Officers and Staff of the Judiciary, and for Related Matters (HB.2281) (Hon. Julius o. Ihonvbere)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Create Ughelli East Local Government Area in Delta State and for Related Matters (HB.2248) (Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive)

The bills were initially lumped together, and put to vote as the lawmakers voted against them.