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Tag: EFCC

Aliko Dangote Calls On EFCC To Probe Ex-NMDPRA Boss Farouk Ahmed Over Alleged Wealth Misconduct

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Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Farouk Ahmed, the former CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), over alleged financial impropriety. Dangote accused Ahmed of abusing his office, amassing wealth beyond his legitimate earnings, and living a lifestyle inconsistent with his public service salary. The development follows Dangote’s earlier petition in December 2025 to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, in which he raised concerns about corruption and financial misconduct. Ahmed resigned from his position on December 17 after meeting with President Bola Tinubu. On January 7, Dangote withdrew his petition from the ICPC and filed a fresh complaint with the EFCC, urging chairman Ola Olukoyede to investigate Ahmed for financial misconduct, breaches of the code of conduct for public officers, and related offences. The petition highlighted that Ahmed reportedly spent over $7 million on the education of his four children — Faisal Farouk at Montreux School, Farouk Jr. at Aiglon College, Ashraf Farouk at Institut Le Rosey, and Farhana Farouk at La Garenne International School — in Switzerland over six years. Dangote argued that such expenditures far exceed what Ahmed could have earned legally as a public servant. The petition also cited legal precedents, noting that the EFCC and its partner agencies are empowered to prosecute financial crimes, and courts do not hesitate to punish offenders when a prima facie case is established. Dangote’s action signals a renewed push for accountability and transparency in public office, particularly regarding unexplained wealth and financial conduct.

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EFCC Reaffirms Yahaya Bello Innocent Until Proven Guilty, Court To Decide Outcome

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stressed that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. The commission’s statement comes amid public debate over Bello’s announcement to contest the Kogi Central senatorial seat in 2027. He is currently standing trial before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over allegations of misappropriating ₦80.2 billion of Kogi State funds during his tenure as governor. Speaking on Monday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwuajeren, explained that criminal prosecutions in Nigeria require time, involving the presentation of evidence and witnesses before the court. He emphasized that the outcome of Bello’s trial is entirely for the judiciary to determine. “The trial is ongoing. We are presenting witnesses and evidence, but it is not the commission that will decide the matter — the court will,” Uwuajeren said. “Our responsibility is to prosecute the charges faithfully and ensure that both the prosecution and the defense receive justice.” He further noted that the Nigerian Constitution presumes anyone standing trial to be innocent until proven guilty, adding that Bello’s standing within his political party is separate from the charges before the court. “Whatever is happening within his party is the party’s business. EFCC is not a political party; we are focused solely on enforcing the law. Nothing has gone wrong in the handling of this case, and we remain committed to ensuring justice,” Uwuajeren said. The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting the case diligently while reiterating that Bello’s legal innocence remains intact until the court delivers a verdict.

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Court Denies Bail To Bauchi Finance Commissioner In $9.7 Million Terrorism Financing Case

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the bail application of Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and his co-defendants, who face allegations of financing terrorism totaling $9.7 million. Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on Monday, said the charges posed a serious threat to national security and public safety. He noted that terrorism-related offenses undermine social order, and granting bail before trial could endanger the public. While acknowledging the constitutional presumption of innocence under Section 36(5), the judge emphasized that the provision is “not absolute” and that factors such as the nature of the offense, available evidence, and potential severity of punishment must guide bail decisions. “I have carefully considered the affidavit evidence, the statements of prosecution witnesses, including Dan Lawan Abdulmumuni, and the grave threat this case poses to national security and public safety. The prosecution has successfully raised a reasonable presumption of criminal responsibility,” Justice Nwite said. “In view of these factors, the bail application is refused, and the case will proceed on an accelerated schedule.” The trial was adjourned to January 13 for commencement. Adamu and his co-defendants — Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose, and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed — were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre after their arraignment on a 10-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on December 31, 2025. All the accused pleaded not guilty. The charges allege that between January and May 2024, the defendants conspired to provide $2,300,000 to Bello Bodejo and his associates, purportedly with approvals from Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. Two other accused in the case, former Bauchi Accountant-General Sirajo Jaja and Samaila Irmiya Liman, remain at large. In a separate money-laundering case, Adamu was recently granted bail of N500 million with two sureties of the same amount. The court ordered that the sureties be verified landowners in Abuja’s Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa districts.

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EFCC Rejects Bauchi Governor’s Allegations Of Political Targeting

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed claims by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed that the agency is being used by the Federal Government or political rivals to target him and his administration. In a statement released on Friday, the EFCC urged Nigerians to disregard the governor’s allegations, calling them baseless and misleading. “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission views with great displeasure the claims by Governor Bala Mohammed that the Commission is being used by political opponents, particularly the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to persecute him and his aides,” the statement said. The commission described the allegations as “wild” and “far-fetched,” emphasizing that it operates independently and without political influence. “The EFCC is an independent agency established to fight economic and financial crimes. It carries out its mandate without favoritism or ill will. Suggesting that the Commission can be influenced by political interests is mischievous and condemnable,” it added. The EFCC also rejected claims that any political officeholder could sway its investigations. “It is derogatory for the governor to attribute the Commission’s activities in Bauchi State to the influence of Mr. Wike. No political official can interfere with the investigative processes of the Commission,” the statement read. Addressing the governor’s own legal history, the EFCC said Bala Mohammed was already facing charges before he assumed office. “If Governor Mohammed were transparent, he would have disclosed that he was on trial for money laundering at the time he won the governorship election in Bauchi State,” the agency said, noting that only the constitutional immunity attached to his office prevented prosecution. The EFCC also recalled that investigations into Mohammed date back to 2016, questioning his claims of political persecution. “Who influenced the Commission to investigate him in 2016 and charge him to court?” the agency asked. On ongoing cases involving Bauchi State officials, the EFCC said the matters are before the courts and based on evidence, not political vendetta. “The facts against some Bauchi State government officials have already been presented to the court,” the statement said, urging the public to review the charges themselves. The commission dismissed the governor’s remarks regarding terrorism financing, stating that it was simply enforcing the law. “Raising alarms over terrorism financing issues is unfounded. Ignoring legal violations would amount to dereliction of duty,” it said. Finally, the EFCC accused politicians of double standards, noting that allegations of persecution typically surface only when opposition figures are investigated. “It is hypocritical for opposition politicians to claim persecution each time an opposition figure is called to account,” the statement said, advising Governor Mohammed to focus on governance while the Commission continues its work against financial crimes.

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Court To Rule January 7 On Bail Applications Of Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami, Wife And Son

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 7 to rule on the bail applications of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, and his wife, Bashir Asabe. Justice Emeka Nwite set the date on Friday after the defence, led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, adopted their processes and presented arguments. The EFCC, in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, has charged Malami, his wife, and son with alleged money laundering. The former AGF, his wife, and son are listed as the first, second, and third defendants, respectively. The anti-graft agency claims the defendants carried out suspicious financial transactions and sought to conceal the illegal origin of billions of naira through bank accounts and property purchases in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi. The alleged offences reportedly took place between 2015 and 2025, during Malami’s tenure as AGF under the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. According to the EFCC, Malami, Abdulaziz, and Asabe conspired to disguise the source of the funds, acquire properties indirectly, and retain sums they allegedly knew were proceeds of unlawful activity, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.

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Bauchi Finance Commissioner Granted N500m Bail In EFCC Money Laundering Case

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, in connection with a money laundering case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on Friday, set Adamu’s bail at N500 million. He ordered the commissioner to present two sureties who own property in Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarinpa in the Federal Capital Territory, and required the sureties to swear affidavits of means. The court also directed Adamu to surrender his international passport and barred him from leaving the country without the court’s permission. He will remain in custody until all bail conditions are fully met. Adamu faces trial alongside Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/694/2025. He was arraigned on six counts of money laundering, while two companies, including Ayab Agro Products, were also named as co-defendants. The EFCC alleged that the defendants diverted funds intended for the supply of motorcycles to the Bauchi State Government. The agency claimed that although the contract was not executed, the money was later transferred to several individuals and entities, despite the defendants allegedly knowing that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity. The offence is said to contravene Section 21(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. All defendants pleaded not guilty. Adamu’s lawyer, Gordy Uche, SAN, urged the court to grant bail, while EFCC counsel, Samuel Chime, opposed the application and requested an accelerated hearing. Justice Nwite ruled that the offences are bailable and fixed January 20 for the commencement of trial. Meanwhile, the court ordered that Adamu be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre ahead of Monday’s hearing on his bail application in a separate terrorism-related case. The EFCC also revealed that Emmanuel Asomugha General Enterprises was originally awarded the motorcycle supply contract by the Bauchi State Government.

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Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed Accuses Federal Government Of Using EFCC To Target Him Over APC Refusal

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Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has accused the Federal Government of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to target him and members of his cabinet because he refused to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor made the allegation on Wednesday in Bauchi while signing the 2026 appropriation bill into law, following an ambassadorial award for safety from the Institute of Safety Professionals in Nigeria. He revealed that one of his commissioners is currently being held by the EFCC. “As a governor and leader of the opposition, my commissioner has been detained and will not be released. Even with constitutional immunity, my name was mentioned in a court motion in Nigeria—me, Bala Mohammed,” he said. Mohammed claimed that the APC-led federal government is using institutions like the EFCC and the courts to harass Nigerians who are not aligned with the ruling party. He insisted that no amount of pressure would force him to join the APC. The statement comes after the EFCC arraigned Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, over alleged N5.79 billion money laundering. Adamu is accused of conspiring with two others, who remain at large, to launder N4.65 billion between June and December 2023. The governor expressed frustration that despite his immunity, his name was included in the EFCC motion against his commissioner. “I woke up to a notification accusing me of terrorism. I don’t need to respond publicly, but politics has clearly taken a troubling turn in Nigeria,” he said. As chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Mohammed warned that he would no longer remain silent if the federal government continues what he described as persecution. “If they don’t stop, we are going to declare war. I won’t allow anyone to criminalise me because I’m not in their party, and I refuse to join the APC,” he stated. He also criticised the federal government for failing to deliver projects in Bauchi, pointing out that despite controlling the bulk of national resources, it has not provided a single kilometre of road or water infrastructure in the state. Mohammed further condemned the planned implementation of new tax laws without addressing alleged discrepancies in the gazetted copy.

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Court Orders Remand of Abubakar Malami, Son and Wife, Pending Bail Hearing

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the hearing of his bail application. Justice Emeka Nwite also directed that Malami’s co-defendants—his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and one of his wives, Bashir Asabe—be held in custody alongside him. The ruling followed arguments from the defence team, led by Joseph Daudu (SAN), and the prosecution, represented by Ekele Iheneacho (SAN). Malami and his co-defendants are facing a 16-count money laundering charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The commission alleges that they conspired to conceal, retain, and disguise proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to several billions of naira. The charges reportedly cover multiple years and involve the use of corporate entities and bank accounts to launder funds, holding cash as collateral for loans, and acquiring high-value properties in Abuja, Kano, and other locations. The EFCC further claims that some of the alleged offences took place while Malami was serving as Attorney-General, in breach of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

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