Crime
PHOTOS: Convicted former Minister of Power forfeits more multi-billion naira assets
A former Minister of Power has lost another property to the Federal Government after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the permanent forfeiture of a luxury apartment linked to proceeds of corruption, while placing four other properties under interim forfeiture.
Justice James Omotosho granted the orders in favour of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ruling that Walijam Apartments located on Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities established during the former minister’s criminal trial. The court also issued interim forfeiture orders for four other properties, including Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited in Kaduna State, two mansions on Misratah Street in Wuse 2, Abuja, and A.U.A Plaza on Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Justice Omotosho held that although the EFCC had not yet conclusively established ownership or beneficial interest in the four properties, the commission had presented sufficient grounds for interim forfeiture. He ordered the anti-graft agency to publish the order in a national newspaper within seven days to allow any interested party to challenge the forfeiture before it becomes permanent.
The judge rejected the argument by the former minister’s counsel that the court lacked jurisdiction after delivering judgment in the criminal case. He held that Section 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act empowers the court to make restitution and forfeiture orders even after conviction.
The EFCC told the court that the former minister was found to have diverted N22 billion out of the N33.8 billion involved in the case and that less than N2 billion had so far been recovered despite previous forfeiture orders. The commission argued that the additional properties were necessary to recover part of the outstanding proceeds of crime.
The latest ruling follows the court’s judgment delivered on May 7, which convicted the former minister on 12 counts of money laundering involving funds meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Projects.
Justice Omotosho sentenced him to a cumulative 75-year prison term after finding that he diverted at least N22 billion through proxy companies and associates. The court also ordered him to refund the outstanding balance of the stolen funds after deducting recovered assets and directed security agencies, including INTERPOL, to arrest him wherever found.
The judge described the diversion of funds meant for critical electricity projects as a grave abuse of public trust, noting that the former minister enriched himself while millions of Nigerians continued to face poor electricity supply.
Following weeks of surveillance, the EFCC arrested the former minister after his conviction and transferred him to a correctional facility to begin serving his sentence. EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said the commission remained committed to ensuring he serves his jail term, while the former minister is also facing a separate criminal trial over an alleged N31 billion fraud.
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Crime
PHOTOS: Kebbi man arrested over alleged ritual desecration of Qur’an after burying it in pit with s€men to make woman more submissive to her husband
The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man, Abubakar Musa, over alleged ritual desecration of the Holy Qur’an in Zuru Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Bashir Usman, who disclosed this in a statement on 14th August 2026, said the suspect was arrested in connection with alleged criminal conspiracy, abuse of religious books, use of spells and hypnosis, and inciting disturbance.
According to the PPRO, on August 9, 2026, Musa and two other suspects, Rabi’u Tela and Hamza Zango, allegedly dug a pit and buried a copy of the Holy Qur’an, together with semen, white and red kolanuts, underwear, d3ad animals, and other fetish items.
The police spokesperson said the act was allegedly intended to make Rabi’u Tela’s wife Zarau Hassan more submissive to him.
“The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested Abubakar Musa, male, 29, of Rafin Mose Village, Zuru LGA, in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, abuse of religious books, use of spells and hypnosis, and inciting disturbance,” the statement read.
“The incident occurred on 9th August 2026, at about 1900hrs, at Zango Area, Zuru. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly conspired with two others; Rabi’u Tela, husband of Zarau Hassan, and Hamza Zango, both now at large, to dig a pit inside Zarau Hassan’s room and bury therein a copy of the Holy Qur’an, together with semen, white and red kolanuts, underwear, dead animals, and other fetish items.
“The act was allegedly intended to make Zarau Hassan more submissive to her husband, Rabi’u Tela, and was carried out in circumstances capable of provoking a breach of the peace among the Muslim faithful in the community.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the two fleeing suspects, while Abubakar Musa remains in police custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, psc, MNIM, strongly condemns the alleged act and warns that the Command will deal decisively, within the law, with individuals whose actions threaten religious harmony, public order, and peaceful coexistence.
“Members of the public are urged to promptly report suspicious activities to the Police through 09039911876 or 07081074395. All information will be treated with utmost confidentiality.”
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Gunmen have abducted 14 passengers travelling along the Otukpo–Adoka road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Thursday night, August 13, 2026 when an 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja was reportedly ambushed along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.
A resident, Ochai, who spoke with punch on Friday, said the gunmen forced all the passengers into the surrounding forest.
“Some gunmen ambushed an 18-seater bus heading to Abuja between Omutele and Ankpechi along Otukpo -Adola road yesterday (Thursday) night. All the passengers in the vehicle were whisked away by the gunmen,” he said.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, who confirmed the incident in a statement said five of the victims have so far been rescued.
According to the PPRO, the police launched a coordinated rescue operation early Friday.
Aondongu said the operation involved an exchange of gunfire between the security operatives and the kidnappers.
“The Benue State Police Command has confirmed a kidnapping incident involving a commercial passenger bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area on the night of 13 August 2026,” the statement read
“Following the incident, operatives of the command commenced a coordinated rescue operation early this (Friday) morning. The operation, which involved an exchange of gunfire, has so far resulted in the successful rescue of five victims, including a four-year-old boy, while nine others remain in the custody of the suspected kidnappers.”
The police spokesperson disclosed that one of the rescued victims sustained a gunshot injury during the operation and was taken to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment.
He said the police, working with other security agencies, had intensified efforts to secure the release of the remaining nine victims.
According to Aondongu, the operation was being conducted cautiously, with the safety of the abducted passengers prioritised.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Cletus Nwadiogbu, also assured the victims’ families and members of the public that efforts would continue until the remaining passengers were rescued.
He urged residents of the affected communities to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information that could aid the rescue operation.
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PHOTOS: Kebbi man arrested over alleged ritual desecration of Qur’an after burying it in pit with s€men to make woman more submissive to her husband
