Crime
Court issues arrest warrant against Diezani Alison-Madueke
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, issued an arrest warrant against the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, believed to be residing in the UK.
Justice Bolaji Olajuwon granted the request, after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Farouk Abdullah, made an oral application.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court had fixed Nov. 3, 2021 for the EFCC to give a report on its effort at extraditing Alison-Madueke to the country to stand her trial, and for possible mention of the case.
But on the adjourned date, the case was stalled as neither Abdullah nor Alison-Madueke was in sight.
Justice Olajuwon then fixed today, Jan. 24, for the matter and adjourned for report or or for possible mention of the matter.
NAN reports that though Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu was initially the presiding judge in the matter, the case was reassigned to Justice Olajuwon, following the transfer of Ojukwu to the Calabar division of the court.
It would be recalled that Ojukwu had, on Oct. 28, 2020, rejected the EFCC’s prayer to issue a warrant of arrest against Alison-Madueke, citing the commission’s failure to enforce the earlier criminal summons, which the court issued on the former minister since July 24, 2020, saying court orders are not made in vain.
The commission had, in requesting for the criminal summons in July 2020, claimed that it was required to facilitate the ex-minister’s extradition to Nigeria.
Faced with the failure of the ex-minister to honour the summons, the EFCC, through its lawyer, Abdullah, urged Justice Ojukwu to issue a warrant of arrest against her, saying that the extradition process failed as a result of the absence of the warrant of arrest.
The judge, who turned down the request, directed the lawyer to file an affidavit to that effect supported by evidence from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and adjourned for report and possible arraignment of the defendant (Alison-Madueke).
However, when the matter was called on Monday, Abdullah was in court.
He told the court that all efforts by the agency to get the ex-minister extradited when the matter was before Ojukwu were unsuccessful.
Abdullah, who made an oral application for an arrest warrant, said the application was part of the requirements by the office of the AGF for the extradition.
He said that the arrest warrant was needed to further give the International Police (INTERPOL) the impetus to bring the defendant to Nigeria to answer to charges against her.
Justice Olajuwon then granted the application and adjourned the matter sine die pending when the defendant (Alison-Madueke) is arrested and produced in court.
NAN reports that Abdullah had, in an application, urged the court “to issue an arrest warrant against Alison-Madueke, who is believed to be in the UK to enable all law enforcement agencies and the INTERPOL to arrest her anywhere she is sighted and be brought before the court to answer to the allegation made against her before the court.”
He said since the summon had not been able to achieve the desired result, the need for a warrant of arrest cannot be over-emphasised.
NAN reports that the court had, on July 24, 2020, ordered the former minister to appear before it and answer to the money laundering charge filed against her by the EFCC.
The court gave the ruling in an ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018 brought by Abdullah.
The EFCC had accused the former minister of fleeing the country for the UK in order to escape justice, among others.
The lawyer, in a document filed along with the motion ex-parte, said it sought to question Alison-Madueke, without success, in relation to many allegations against her, including “her role as the Minister of Petroleum Resources and her role in the award of Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) to Septa Energy Limited, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited and Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited by NNPC.
He said it also wanted Alison-Madueke to respond to questions about “her role in the chartering of private jets by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Ministry of Petroleum Resources and her role in the award of contracts by NNPC to Marine and Logistics Services Limited.”
Abdallah said the agency was investigating Alison-Madueke‘s business relationships with Mr Donald Amamgbo, Mr Afam Nwokedi, Chief lkpea Leemon, Miss Olatimbo Bukola Ayinde, Mr Benedict Peters, Christopher Aire, Harcourt Adukeh, Julian Osula, Dauda Lawal, Nnamdi Okonkwo, Mr Leno Laithan, Sahara Energy Group and Midwestern Oil Limited, among others.
He added that Alison-Madueke was also required to clear air on “her role in financing the 2015 general elections, particularly the money that were warehoused at Fidelity Bank Plc in 2015 prior to the elections.”
He said it equally wanted the ex-minister to speak on several items, documents and Jeweleries recovered from her house at No: 10, Chiluba Close, off Jose Marti Street, Asokoro, Abuja, and some identified property that were linked to her In Nigeria, UK, U.S., United Arab Emirate and South Africa.
It would be recalled that the EFCC Chairman, Abdultasheed Bawa in the April 2021 edition of the agency’s in-house magazine, disclosed that the anti-corruption commission recovered 153 million dollars from Alison-Madueke.
Bawa said the agency also recovered the final forfeiture of over 80 property in Nigeria valued at about $80 million from the former minister, who has been living in the UK since leaving office some years ago.
The EFCC boss said he would want the former minister to face trial in Nigeria.
Besides, as part of the ongoing investigations of the former Petroleum Minister, the EFCC. on Dec. 15, 2021, said it arrested a former Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, allegedly over an additional $72.87 million still in the coffers of the bank.
Okonkwo and Charles Onyedibe were quizzed by operatives over the latest discovery.
Okonkwo, who is the chairman of First Bank Holding, alongside others, had earlier been grilled over $153 million and another $115 million by the commission.
While all the 153 million dollars were recovered by the EFCC, the cases involving $115 million, as it relates with the Independent National Electoral Commission bribery matter, are in various courts. the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, had disclosed in a statement.(NAN)
…Suspect allegedly targeted female POS operators, used Facebook to lure victims
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Ugbor Chika Paul, over allegations of serial rape, armed robbery and sextortion involving female victims in different parts of the state.
The Command disclosed that a mobile phone recovered from the suspect contained nude photographs and video recordings of several identified and unidentified female victims.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly specialised in luring female Point-of-Sale (POS) operators to isolated locations under the guise of conducting financial transactions before robbing and sexually assaulting them.
According to the police, the suspect also operated a Facebook account under the fictitious name, Franklin Umeh, which he allegedly used to lure another victim into his trap.
Giving details of the incidents, Ndukwe said the first victim, a 20-year-old POS operator at Akwata Market, Enugu, was allegedly lured to a bush behind St. Peter’s Church, Coal Camp, around 11 a.m. on May 21, 2026.
The suspect reportedly raped the victim and dispossessed her of N600,000.
In another incident on August 11, 2026, a 30-year-old female POS operator from the same market was allegedly taken to the same location around 5 p.m., where the suspect attempted to rape her before robbing her of approximately N120,000.
The police further disclosed that a third victim, aged 21, was allegedly contacted through Facebook by the suspect, who introduced himself as Franklin Umeh.
She was reportedly lured to Old Park, Enugu, around 11:30 a.m. on October 4, 2026, before being taken to a secluded bush around Udi Siding.
At the location, the suspect allegedly raped and sexually assaulted her, recorded her nakedness and robbed her of N100,000 and her mobile phone.
He subsequently demanded an additional N200,000 from the victim, threatening to circulate her nude video if she failed to comply.
The police alleged that he also used the victim’s stolen phone to contact some individuals on her WhatsApp contact list.
Ndukwe confirmed that investigations were ongoing, adding that the suspect would be arraigned in court upon their conclusion.
The Command appealed to other persons who might have fallen victim to the suspect’s activities to come forward with useful information to assist investigators.
It equally encouraged women experiencing cyberstalking, sexual blackmail or sextortion to report such incidents to the police rather than suffer in silence.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, reaffirmed the Command’s determination to tackle sexual violence, robbery and other criminal activities across Enugu State.
He urged residents, particularly women and business operators, to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest police formation.
The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested one Ugwumba Enyinnaya for allegedly posing as a qualified legal practitioner and engaging in legal practice for over 11 years without the required credentials.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, explaining that the suspect was apprehended following investigations into a petition bordering on obtaining money under false pretence.
According to the police, Enyinnaya allegedly collected N650,000 from one Chukwu David in March 2026, claiming he would facilitate the processing and approval of a street-naming request in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.
The petitioner reportedly entrusted the money to the suspect after he presented himself as an experienced lawyer capable of handling the transaction.
However, investigations by police operatives subsequently revealed that Enyinnaya had allegedly been impersonating a legal practitioner for more than a decade.
Police said the suspect admitted during interrogation that he was not a qualified lawyer.
A search conducted at his residence reportedly led to the recovery of several items, including a Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal, a portrait showing him dressed in barrister’s attire, a legal wig and gown, and purported Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) certificates bearing the name of Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Other exhibits recovered included court judgments allegedly obtained by the suspect and several legal documents purportedly prepared by him, including powers of attorney and deeds of conveyance.
The command confirmed that the suspect had been charged to court.
Reacting to the development, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Okafor, commended the investigating officers for exposing the alleged impersonation.
She urged residents to exercise caution when engaging individuals offering legal services and ensure that their professional qualifications are properly verified.
The commissioner further encouraged members of the public to report suspicious individuals and activities to the police to prevent unsuspecting citizens from falling victim to fraud.
By Our Reporter
The Forum of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State Chairmen has called on President Bola Tinubu, security agencies and the international community to intervene in Ebonyi State over allegations of political intimidation, attacks, abductions, killings and restrictions on opposition activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The forum, led by its chairman, Austin Nwachukwu, made the call at a press conference in Abakaliki, where it accused Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration of creating an atmosphere of fear for opposition members.
The allegations were contained in a statement in which the forum expressed concern over the reported attacks on PDP leaders, candidates, executives and supporters, as well as the alleged destruction of property and unlawful detention of party members.
“No governor owns the state, no political party owns the people, and no public office holder or office confers a licence to intimidate, assault or silence citizens,” the forum declared.
It called on Nwifuru, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Security Adviser and President Tinubu to take urgent steps to protect lives, investigate the allegations and safeguard democratic participation in the state.
The forum alleged that the PDP state secretariat was sealed on May 25, 2026, following an order reportedly issued by the governor, with more than 150 security personnel deployed to cordon off the premises.
According to the group, the action prevented members of the party’s State Working Committee from accessing their offices.
It further alleged that the governor made threatening remarks against opposition members in June and September, including a reported directive to local government chairmen to deal harshly with the PDP.
The forum cited several incidents of alleged political violence, including an attack on PDP members attending a rally in Ezza South Local Government Area on August 1, which reportedly left 10 people critically injured.
It also alleged that the residence of a 73-year-old party leader, Chief Christopher Ngwuta, was attacked on August 4 during a consultative meeting.
The statement claimed that Ngwuta’s wife, Blessing, subsequently lost a four-month pregnancy following the incident.
Other incidents highlighted included an alleged attack on the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ohanaivo Federal Constituency, Igboke Felix Ogbonna, and his aides on August 16, as well as the reported destruction of property belonging to PDP leader Arinze Oyibe in Abaomege on September 9.
The forum further alleged that armed men disrupted a PDP political and economic summit at Veneza Hotel in Abakaliki on September 19, injuring participants and robbing attendees of valuables.
It also expressed concern over the reported arrest and continued detention of the PDP State Woman Leader, Chinyere Nwele, on October 15.
The group urged the police to disclose the legal basis for her detention and ensure that due process was followed.
The forum also alleged that Jimo Guest House, owned by PDP youth leader Jimo Abu, was sealed by government agents on October 20, before Abu was reportedly abducted the following day.
According to the statement, Abu was allegedly forced at gunpoint to renounce his PDP membership and declare support for the governor.
The group called for an investigation into the reported attack on security personnel in Amaezekwe village, Ezza South Local Government Area, on October 22.
It also demanded an investigation into the alleged abduction and killing of Elder Onwe Obochi of Oshege village in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.
On the conduct of security agencies, the forum expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as the police response to complaints involving alleged attacks on opposition members.
It also raised questions about a reported accommodation arrangement involving the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police and Meritona Hotel in Abakaliki, which the forum alleged was owned by the governor.
The group acknowledged that the reported arrangement did not, in itself, establish wrongdoing but called for clarification to protect public confidence in the impartiality of the police.
The forum urged the Inspector-General of Police to establish an independent investigative team to examine the reported attacks, threats, abductions, killings, armed robbery and destruction of property.
It also called on the DSS to conduct an independent security assessment of the allegations and work with relevant agencies to prevent further attacks.
The National Security Adviser was urged to coordinate preventive measures and brief the Federal Government on the reported security concerns, while President Tinubu was asked to ensure impartial investigations and equal protection for citizens regardless of political affiliation.
The forum also appealed to the United Nations, African Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), diplomatic missions and international human rights organisations to monitor credible reports of political violence and restrictions on democratic freedoms in Ebonyi.
On political activities, it alleged that some parties enjoyed access to public facilities while PDP gatherings faced restrictions, insisting that public authority should not be used to disadvantage opposition parties.
The group urged Nwifuru to publicly condemn political violence, clarify the alleged threats against PDP members, explain the legal basis for the reported sealing of the party secretariat and Jimo Guest House, and cooperate with independent investigations.
It maintained that anyone found culpable after a credible investigation should face the appropriate legal consequences, irrespective of political affiliation or official position.
The forum concluded by urging the PDP governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, to remain focused and continue engaging residents peacefully ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The allegations require independent investigation, and responses from the Ebonyi State Government and the relevant security agencies would be important in establishing the facts surrounding the reported incidents.
A 28-year-old suspected gunman allegedly robbed a female Point-of-Sale (POS) operator of N200,000 at gunpoint in Obollo-Afor, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, threatening to shoot anyone who attempted to pursue him.
The incident occurred at about 9 a.m. on October 17, 2026, at the victim’s POS shop along Old Orba Road, Uhulor, Obollo-Afor.
The suspect, identified as Michael Ayisa, reportedly stormed the business premises armed with a pistol and dispossessed the operator of N200,000 before fleeing the scene.
It was gathered that the victim raised an alarm during the robbery, attracting the attention of residents, but the suspect allegedly threatened to open fire on anyone who attempted to apprehend him.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Sunday, the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said operatives of the Udenu Police Division, assisted by members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, subsequently launched an operation that led to the suspect’s arrest.
According to him, Ayisa was apprehended at about 12:26 p.m. on October 18, barely 28 hours after the robbery.
A Beretta-like pistol and an expended 9mm ammunition shell were recovered during the operation.
Ndukwe disclosed that the suspect confessed to the crime during interrogation and would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has commended the operatives and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group for their roles in the arrest.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to tackling armed robbery and other criminal activities across Enugu State, urging residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies.
Clarify the Arrest Timeline
Tighten the Opening Paragraph
Use More Cautious Crime Wording
A police corporal attached to the Ajaokuta Division of the Kogi State Police Command has reportedly shot his girlfriend dead before taking his own life with his service rifle.
The incident allegedly occurred around 9 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026, leaving both the officer and the woman dead.
According to a report by Veracity News, the officer allegedly shot the woman at close range before turning the weapon on himself.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, while the motive behind the alleged killings has yet to be established.
The bodies of the deceased were reportedly evacuated to a mortuary as investigations into the incident commenced.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Kogi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Afusat, could not be reached for comment, according to the publication.
The incident is expected to be investigated to establish the circumstances leading to the deaths and determine the events that preceded the shooting.
As of the time of filing this report, no further details about the identities of the deceased or the outcome of the investigation had been provided in the original report.
Editor’s note: The incident and details in this report have not been independently verified. An official statement from the Kogi State Police Command would be needed to confirm the circumstances of the deaths.
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