Money Laundering

By Muhammad Sulaiman

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 1 for the fresh arraignment of former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, over an alleged N1.35 billion fraud.

Justice Peter Lifu scheduled the new date after Lamido and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, failed to appear in court to take their plea on Friday.

The former governor and his sons are expected to be re-arraigned on charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which alleges that they were involved in fraudulent contract awards used to siphon public funds.

Counsel to the defendants, Joe Agi (SAN), apologised for their absence, explaining that they had received notice of the trial on Thursday evening. He told the court that Lamido and his sons reside in Kano and could not travel to Abuja at short notice.

However, counsel to the EFCC, Chile Okoroma (SAN), expressed surprise at the defendants’ absence, insisting that they had been duly served with the hearing notice.

Okoroma also informed the court that the EFCC had written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, requesting that the initial trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, who has since been transferred to Calabar, be returned to Abuja to continue hearing the case.

Justice Lifu described the EFCC’s request as an administrative matter to be decided by the Chief Judge, before adjourning the case to April 1 for the defendants’ arraignment.

The EFCC had filed a 27-count charge against Lamido, his two sons, and several companies in 2015, accusing them of laundering about N1.35 billion allegedly diverted from Jigawa State through a complex money-laundering scheme.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The prosecution of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, advanced on Thursday as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) submitted detailed bank records as evidence in the alleged N110.4 billion fraud case.

Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the FCT High Court, Abuja, facing 16 counts of criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

Prosecution led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, continued the cross-examination of a Zenith Bank compliance officer, Mashelia Arhyel Bata (PW6).

The witness clarified entries in bank statements, confirming transactions including a cheque of N10 million for Abdulsalami Hudu and a N2.45 million payment to Halims Hotels and Tours, Lokoja.

He stated he did not know the purpose of these payments.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, the witness confirmed a N74.3 million credit from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service on December 6, 2016, followed by a N10 million cheque payment to Mohammed Jami’u Sallau, with no stated purpose in the narration.

Counsel for the third defendant, Abdulsalami Hudu, established that his client made withdrawals via duly signed cheques as an accountant and listed signatory to the Government House account.

The witness detailed several large inflows into the account, often described as “security fund” or “His Excellency Special Sec Vote,” followed by withdrawals.

The prosecution then called three more bank officials. A Keystone Bank executive trainee (PW7) presented records showing ten transfers of N10 million each, totalling N100 million, into the account of Dantata and Sawoe Construction in February 2021 from individuals named Maigari Murtala and Yusuf Mubarak.

A compliance officer from FCMB (PW8) testified about transactions for Kunfayakun Global Limited, including a N30 million debit for school fees at the American International School for one Abdul Bashir in November 2021.

Finally, a Sterling Bank official (PW9) presented statements for Bespoke Business Solutions Limited, showing massive inflows from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service in 2019, including sums of N138.4 million, N136.8 million, and N183.6 million described as “NAFFS Kogi State payment commission.”

Defence counsel for the third defendant objected to the admissibility of some documents, reserving reasons for later.

Justice Anineh adjourned the case until Friday, January 16, 2026, for the trial to continue.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has declared a British and Indian citizen, Deepark Khilnani, wanted on the ground of fraudulent activities.

The Commission in a post on their verified social media accounts disclosed on Wednesday that Mr Khilnani is wanted for conspiracy, stealing and money laundry.

The Commission gave his brief details and requested that persons with information that could lead to his arrest should not hesitate to contact the EFCC.

“Deepark Khilnani, 63, Indian/British citizen is wanted by the EFCC for Conspiracy and Money Laundering. If you have any information that could lead to his arrest, please do not hesitate to contact the EFCC immediately”, they posted.

By Uzair Adam Imam

There has been tension in Labour Party (LP) as Dr. Doyin Okupe, the Director General of the party, resigned his position.

The Daily Reality gathered that Okupe resigned following his conviction over money laundering charges.

The disclosure was made Tuesday in a later Okupe wrote to Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the party.

He argued that he had rather invested so much in the party’s campaign.Details later….