Crime
PHOTOS: EFCC arraigns Kaduna PDP Reps candidate and one other for N26m money laundering, vote buying in Abuja
The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, arraigned one Esther Ashivelli Dawaki and Shehu Aliyu Fatange before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja for financial crimes.
Ms Dawaki was the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate for Chikun/Kajuru in the bye election held in August.
The opposition party had earlier accused security operatives of ‘abducting’ Ms Dawaki.
According to the commission, Dawaki and Fatange are facing prosecution on a five-count charge, bordering on accepting and making cash payments in excess of the amount authorised by law, conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N26 million (Twenty Six million Naira).
Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Esther Ashivilli Dawaki (F) and other, now at large on or about 16th of August, 2025 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did procure one Shehu Aliyu Fatange (M) to commit an offence to wit: accepting cash payment of the sum of N26,000,000.00 (Twenty-six Million Naira, only), without going through a financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by the law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(C )(a) and 19(1)(d) of Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.”
Another charge reads: “That you, Shehu Aliyu Fatange (M) on or about the 16th of August, 2025 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did accept cash payment of the sum of N26,000,000.00 (Two-Six Million Naira, only), which exceeds the amount authorised by the law to one Esther Ashivelli dawaki (F) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 2(1)(a) and 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition)Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.”
They both pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, following which prosecution counsel, M. O, Arumemi asked the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in a correctional centre.
While counsel to the defendants, E. N. Ogbu and A.A. Ashat had no objections, they made oral applications for their bail. They asked for a short adjournment as well as for the defendants to be remanded in EFCC’s holding facility, pending determination of the bail applications.
Justice Nwite ordered for the remand of Dawaki, the first defendant in the Suleja Correctional Center, while he ordered that Fatange, the second defendant be remanded in Kuje Correctional Center and adjourned the matter till Monday, September 15, 2025 for the hearing of the bail application.
The suspects were arrested on August 16, 2025, following credible intelligence that exposed them to have possessed the sum of N26,463,000.00 (Twenty-six Million Four Hundred and Sixty-three Thousand Naira), which they kept inside a Toyota Corolla 2010 model, belonging to Shehu and packed within a hotel premises in Kaduna.
While Fatange upon arrest, identified himself as the director general of the campaign office of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP flag-bearer in the the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election which held on the same August 16, 2025, the sum was suspected to have been earmarked for vote buying in the said election.
FOLLOW US ON:
Crime
27 suspected hoodlums arrested for breaking pillars on Festac-Alakija bridge and harvesting the metals used for the bridge’s reinforcement
The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals in separate intelligence-led operations in Otukpo and Ugbokolo areas of the state.
The spokesperson for the command, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, August 7, 2026 said 35 mobile phones were recovered from the men.
According to the PPRO, three of the suspects, Younas Mohammad, Ahmad Nunil, and Aslam Muhammad, were arrested on August 4 at Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo Local Government Area while allegedly attempting to board a vehicle to Adoka village.
The suspects claimed that they were in Otukpo to market cosmetics and mobile gadgets.
However, the police said none of the claimed products was found in their possession, raising questions about their activities and movements.
In a separate operation on August 5, police arrested two other Pakistani nationals, Juma Sharif and Muhammed Sharif, at a hotel in Ugbokolo.
The two suspects reportedly claimed to be dealers in Android phones.
A search of their belongings led to the recovery of 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones.
Further investigation resulted in the recovery of 23 additional Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60, bringing the total to 35 mobile phones.
“The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals and recovered thirty-five (35) mobile phones in separate intelligence-led operations conducted in Otukpo and Ugbokolo areas,” the statement read.
“On 4th August 2026, operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, arrested three Pakistanis at Adoka Motor Park, Otukpo Local Government Area. The suspects, identified as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46, were intercepted while attempting to board a vehicle to Adoka village.
“During preliminary questioning, the suspects stated that they were in Otukpo for the purpose of marketing cosmetics and mobile gadgets none of which were found in their possession. This made their explanation, activities and movements within the area suspicious, requiring more clarification.
“In a separate operation on 5th August 2026, two other Pakistanis, Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25, were arrested at a local hotel in Ugbokolo following credible intelligence received by the Police.
“The two suspects claimed to be dealers in Android phones. A search of their belongings led to the recovery of eleven (11) Tecno Camon 50 Pro mobile phones.
“Further investigation and operational follow-up resulted in the recovery of an additional twenty-three (23) Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one (1) Infinix Hot 60 phone, bringing the total number of recovered mobile phones to thirty-five (35).
“The five suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi, where discreet and comprehensive investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding their presence, activities and movements within the State.
“It is strongly suspected that the possession of those mobile phones is a decoy for their clandestine activities in the rural areas of the state. This is even more probable as they hardly speak or understand english.
“The Benue State Police Command reassures members of the public that the operations form part of its proactive, intelligence-led policing strategy aimed at identifying potential security threats, preventing criminal activities and safeguarding lives and property across the State.
“The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP CLETUS C. N. NWADIOGBU, psc(+), mnips, PhD, commends the officers involved in the operations and members of the public whose timely information contributed to the arrests.
“He further urges residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the Police.
“The Command will continue to work with relevant stakeholders and members of the public to maintain peace and security across Benue State. The public will be updated as the investigation progress.”
FOLLOW US ON:
NLC demands N500k minimum wage, says current N70k minimum wage is no longer sustainable
PHOTOS: Security operatives rescue kidnap victim in Rivers
Canada updates Visa processing times for Nigerians as study permit wait rises
‘Sleeping Prince’ of Saudi Arabia dies after 20 years in coma
How A Class Of 24 Students Produced 2 Presidents, 4 Governors, 2 Ministers, 4 Emirs, 3 Justices, 4 Ambassadors and Other Influential Leaders
2027: Atiku delays ADC membership card collection amid rumoured Jonathan comeback
-
Crime7 hours ago27 suspected hoodlums arrested for breaking pillars on Festac-Alakija bridge and harvesting the metals used for the bridge’s reinforcement
-
News6 hours ago
PHOTOS: Security operatives rescue kidnap victim in Rivers
-
Lifestyle16 hours ago
Favoritism Among Children
-
Crime6 hours ago
Customs intercepts 140 Rifles, Cannabis-infused snacks worth N373.8m at TinCan Port
-
Lifestyle17 hours ago
Bad parenting, how does it affect the children
-
Lifestyle17 hours ago
SIBLING RIVALRY
-
Crime7 hours ago
PHOTOS: Police arrest five Pakistan nationals in Benue communities, recover 35 phones
-
Lifestyle17 hours ago
Discussion about single mother palaver
