The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of four men over their failure to appear in court for trial for allegedly defrauding Opay Digital Services Ltd over N150 million.

Justice Salim Ibrahim gave the order after John Ijagbemi, counsel for the prosecution, made an oral application in line with Section 394 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

Justice Ibrahim directed the Inspector-Genaral (I-G) of Police to produce the defendants in court on the next adjourned date.

The judge also ordered the chief registrar of the court to write to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other necessary legal bodies in repect of the conduct of the defendants’ counsel, U.M. Umar.

It was reported that the I-G, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/398/2026, had sued Isah Ladan, Nasiru Umar, Umar Mohammed and Abubakar Ibrahim as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.

The police boss, in the charge dated and filed on July 8 by Ijabemi of Directotate of Legal Services, preferred a four counts against the defendants.

In count three, Ladan, Umar, Mohammed, Ibrahim and others now at large were alleged to have sometimes between November and December 2025 in Bida, Niger State, committed the offence.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants allegedly committed offences bordering on identify theft and impersonation, by defrauding Opay Digital Services Limited in the sum of N150,538,000.

They were accused of making false representations as agents of Opay Limited to innocent persons, using their National Identify Cards and sim cards to steal their identities.

The offence is said to be punishable under Section 14 (1) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, and Prevention) Act, 2015 (as amended) in 2024.

In count two, the defendants and others now at large were alleged to have committed an offence bordering on computer related fraud, in that they unlawfully imputed innocent persons’ data into the Opay Limited system for the purpose of conferring economic benefits on themselves.

The offence is said to be punishable under Section 24 (2)(a)(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Act, 2015).

When the case was called on Friday, neither the defendants nor their lawyer were in court.

Ijabemi recalled that on Wednesday when the case was initially slated to come up, the defendants and their lawyer, Umar, stalled the arraignment as a result of their coming to court behind scheduled time.

He said the defence had applied that the matter be stood down, citing problems with the defendant’s vehicle on their way from Niger State.

The prosecuting counsel said the matter was later adjourned until today but neither the lawyer nor the defendants were in court and no reason was given.

The judge also recalled that he had told the lawyer when they arrived in court after sitting on the last adjourned date that they should look for a hotel to put up against today’s hearing since they do not reside in Abuja.

Justice Ibrahim said Umar responded that Niger State was just about an hour drive to Abuja.

He, however, wondered why they were not in court and no reason was adduced to their absence.

After Ijagbemi moved the oral application, the judge granted the prayer and invoke the section of the law to ordered the defendants’ arrest.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ordered a remand of Arinze Nwogba in Kuje Correctional Centre for allegedly impersonating Prof. Segun Aina, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a short ruling, held that Nwogba would be in custody pending the ruling on his bail application which was moved by his lawyer, Christian Ejike.

Justice Ibrahim then fixed Oct. 7. at noon for a ruling on the application and adjourned the matter until Oct. 19 for commencement of his trial.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026, sued Nwogba as sole defendant.

The I-G, in the charge dated Sept. 18 and filed Sept. 21 by Samuel Mallum, preferred six counts against the defendant.

In one of the counts, Nwogba, who resides at No. 16,Emeka Egbe by Roban Stores, Abakaliki in Ebonyi, and others now at large, were alleged to have sometime in the year 2026, fraudulently impersonated the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Aina.

The defendant was alleged to have registered his picture on whatsapp profile and true caller on telephone number: 08139433155 with the intent to gain financial advantage to himself.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 22(3)(a)(b) & (4) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 Amended 2024.

When the case was called, the police lawyer, Nonso Eleodimuo, informed thr court that the matter was scheduled for Nwogba’s arraignment.

The defence lawyer did not oppose the application.

After the charge was read to him, Nwogba pleaded not guilty to all the six counts and the prosecuting counsel sought a trial date.

Responding, Ejike did not raise objection to Eleodimuo’s application for a date for trial but he told the court that he had a motion for bail filed on Sept. 23.

The lawyer said the prosecution had been served and responded to their application for bail.

Eleodimuo, who acknowledged the receipt of the bail application, said a counter affidavit, dated Oct. 2, had also been filed and served on the defence.

After moving the application, Ejike prayed the court to admit Nwogba to a bail on liberal terms.

The Prosecution Counsel in his response, urged the court to dismiss Nwogba’s application for a bail.

In a counter affidavit deposed to by Gregory Woje, a clerk at the Directorate of Legal Services, Force Headquarters in Abuja, stated that majority of the paragraphs in Nwogba’s affidavit in support of his bail application were false.

Woje averred that the defendant’s affidavit were speculative and were facts within the knowledge of the defendant, which are extraneous to the case.

The officer told the court that if granted bail, there was likelihood of Nwogba evading justice.

He added that the defendant would not appear in court to stand trial for the case against him.

“That assuming the court is minded to grant bail, it is for the court to do so considering the punishment upon conviction and upon terms that will ensure the defendant/applicant attend his trial,” he said.

Woje stated that bail condition is at the discretion of the court and not for the defendant to decide.

The officer said the I-G was ready “to prosecute the case expeditiously as all the exhibits and witnesses are ready for the trial.”

“That if the defendant/applicant is granted bail and abscond from trial, it will be a clog on the whole proceedings before this court.

“That the complainant/redpondent will be prejudiced if the application of the applicant is granted,” he said.

Justice Ibrahim after listening to the parties’ arguments adjourned until Oct. 7 for ruling on the bail and fixed Oct. 19 for trial.

The prosecution, in the brief fact of the case, said a petition was written and submitted to the I-G by the board registrar concerning the activities of some suspected criminal gangs who fraudulently registered and are using the telephone number 08139433155 and using the name and pictures of Prof. Aina without his knowledge and authority.

The police alleged that these individuals were using the identity of the JAMB registrar to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.

It said they equally went on LinkedIn and published the said number where they directed unsuspecting innocent citizens to contact them only through WhatsApp using the number.

“The investigating team decided to engage the fraudsters directly using the WhatsApp number he advertised on LinkedIn.

“The fraudsters who already used the image of JAMB registrar as profile pictures both on WhatsApp and truecaller in order to deceive innocent Nigerians informed his victims that he wants to offer them a contract and he has obtained necessary approvals from the Minister of Education.”

According to the document, in his text message on WhatsApp, he stated, “Federal Ministry of Education Abuja has approved the supply of 200 units of HP laptops to us as a part of our digitization programs.”

It alleged that the acclaimed JAMB registrar also sent the contact of his personal assistant as (07017626031) who he described as Dr Stephen Igwe and who would be representing him to make all the arrangement for the award of the contract.

“He equally directed that his PA will send an account number where he directed the sum of N900,000 to be paid for handshake.

“He equally ordered the payment of another three (3) million naira into the account for the permanent secretary and Minister of Education.

“He equally sent an access bank account number 1572799985 with account name: EDEH CHIMEZIE BENEDICT.

“He requested for an initial deposit of nine hundred thousand naira (N900,000) to be used to bribe the members of staff at the minister’s office,” the prosecution alleged, among others.

It said Nwogba whose operational name was Dr. Stephen Igwe was subsequently arrested in Abakallki in Ebonyi.

“He confessed that the account details belong to his late nephew who died in April 2026 and was buried on July 31st, 2026.

“He admitted that he actually forwarded the details of the account to his cousin, one NNABUIFE NWEKPA ‘M’ of Onitsha, Anambra State to use for the fraudulent activity.

“The said NNABUIFE NWEKPA (the acclaimed fake JAMB Registrar) is now on the run and currently at large.

“Serious efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspect,” the police said.

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The Police Command in Ebonyi says it has busted an alleged child-trafficking syndicate, arrested several suspects and recovered three children allegedly unlawfully handed over to prospective adopters.

The command said this in a statement its Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joshua Ukandu, on Thursday in Abakaliki.

Ukandu said the breakthrough followed painstaking investigation into cases of child abduction and trafficking reported in the state.

It said the investigation began in May 2026 after Mrs Ngwe Ukamaka reported that her two children, a five-month-old boy and an 11 year-old girl, were allegedly abducted by persons who deceived her under the guise of marrying her.

According to the statement, Ukamaka was taken to Awgu, Enugu State, to meet her purported in-laws, where the children were taken away from her after she was allegedly asked to go and make her hair.

The command said that on Aug. 14, its operatives arrested four suspects identified as Agu Okechukwu, Ndidi Kenneth Nwanga, Ugonma Igwe and Alagba Chinyere over an alleged child-trafficking scheme.

Ukandu, said the suspects were allegedly involved in another case in which Mrs Oluchi Onah was deceived into believing that she was being taken to Enugu for employment.

He  said Onah travelled to Enugu with her two year-old child, adding that Ndidi took custody of the child and directed Agu to take the woman to a place to have her hair done.

“Agu subsequently abandoned her and went to meet Ndidi where they finalised the handing over of the child to a woman,” Ukandu said.

He further said that on Aug. 12, Agu allegedly attempted to abduct another woman’s child using a similar strategy.

However, he said, the woman became suspicious and alerted the police, leading to his arrest and the subsequent arrest of his alleged accomplices.

Ukandu said further investigation led to the recovery of Onah’s child, who had since been reunited with the family.

It said the investigation also linked the suspects to the child abduction case reported by Ukamaka in May.

According to him, further information provided by the suspects led police operatives to Okigwe, Imo, , where Mrs Benedicta Umeh, also known as “Nwanyi Okigwe”, Obinna Nwankpa and Mmekadinma Oledibe were arrested.

A three year-old child was also recovered during the operation, he said.

“Preliminary investigation indicated that the child had allegedly been sold by Nwanyi Okigwe to Mmekadinma for the sum of N2.5 million,” Ukandu said.

The police said the arrest of the suspects led investigators to Favour Chukwu.

Chukwu allegedly provided information concerning the first complainant and her children, as well as the alleged abduction of another child in Isu, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

It said another suspect, Ugochukwu Nwankpa, was arrested, adding that preliminary investigation indicated that he and Favour allegedly took a child from Enugu and presented themselves as the child’s parents before social welfare officials.

The suspects reportedly claimed during interrogation that the child belonged to a mentally challenged woman in Enugu.

They allegedly told investigators that the woman’s food was laced with sleeping pills before the child was taken while she slept around the Holy Ghost area of Enugu.

The command also arrested two suspected accomplices, Ebere Anayo and Chinyere Nwakanma, identified as social welfare officers in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo.

According to Ukandu, preliminary investigation indicated that the duo allegedly facilitated the handing over of children to persons seeking to adopt or foster children.

He said further investigation on Sept. 27 led police operatives to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where Franca Omire was arrested and a baby boy allegedly abducted in May was recovered.

Ukandu quoted Omire as saying during preliminary interrogation that Umeh, alias Nwanyi Okigwe, told her that she operated an orphanage and worked with the welfare office in Obowo.

Omire allegedly disclosed that in July 2026, she paid N2.5 million and was subsequently given a document purportedly indicating that she had legally adopted the child.

The police said investigation was ongoing, with efforts intensified to recover the 11-year-old child allegedly abducted by the syndicate and handed over to another person.

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Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised 16 terrorists and recovered weapons after repelling simultaneous attacks in Adamawa.

The terrorists attacked troops of 226 Battalion (Motorised) at Garkida, Gombi Local Government Area, and 232 Battalion at Garaha, Hong Local Government Area.

An operational report made available to our reporter said the attacks occurred at about 1 a.m. on Thursday.

The report said the troops repelled the attacks, forcing the terrorists to flee towards Garkida on motorcycles.

According to the report, the Nigerian Army’s Spartan element subsequently trailed and conducted strikes on the fleeing terrorists, neutralising 16 of them.

“Troops recovered three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, one Dane gun and six AK-47 magazines, alongside some cartridges.

“Troops are currently conducting follow-up operations and reorganising their defensive locations,” the report said.

The report also revealed that troops of Operation UDO KA rescued 10 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo.

It said the troops of 34 Artillery Brigade responded to a kidnap incident at Umonuwa village along the Onitsha-Owerri Road in Mbaise Local Government Area at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday.

The report said the victims were abducted from two commercial buses by suspected kidnappers.

It said troops, in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services, were trailing the criminals to rescue the remaining victims.

“Meanwhile, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE responded to a suspected terrorist attack on Gwamagira settlement in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba.

“The attackers, operating on motorcycles, were engaged by troops and forced to retreat, abandoning rustled cattle.

“The troops recovered the cattle and returned them to their owners, but the attackers had killed one civilian and abducted three others.

“Efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” it added.

In the North-East, the report said the troops of Sector 3, Operation HADIN KAI, arrested a suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist at Babbangida, Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe.

It added that the suspect, arrested at about 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 29, claimed to be an Islamic cleric operating in the Sahara area of the Niger Republic.

According to the report, preliminary investigation indicated that he travelled by truck from the Zarmadu-Sahara general area of Niger Republic into Nigeria before proceeding to Borno.

It said the troops recovered a mobile phone, prayer mat, blanket, jacket, slate, detergent and N396,200 from him.

“Also, troops of Sector 4, in conjunction with Rangers and Hybrid Forces, arrested four suspected terrorists during a fighting patrol in parts of Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa,” it added.

The report further revealed that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged terrorists along the Kwanar Isa-Shinkafi Road in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto.

It said the troops forced the terrorists to withdraw and subsequently dominated the area through patrols.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced investigation of a suspect arrested with the sum of 265,000 dollars at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano State.

Its Spokesperson, Delele Oywale said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja

According to him, the suspect, Adam Musa Adam, a male passenger with a Nigerian passport arriving from New Delhi aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET941, was intercepted on Sunday,  during routine screening operations by officers of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

“His luggage was flagged for secondary examination using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology, leading to the discovery of the undeclared currency concealed among his personal belongings.

“The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Usman Adamu, handed over the suspect and exhibits to the EFCC.

“Adamu reiterated that the movement of foreign currency above the approved threshold without declaration contravenes Sections 3 and 4 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, as well as relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.”

According to him, from January to date, the Command has intercepted undeclared foreign currency and other negotiable instruments with a total value of over N2.5 billion.

Oyewale said that the Kano Acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Friday Ebelo, received the suspect on behalf of the commission.

He described the event as an example of meaningful interagency collaboration, from the seamless activities at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport to the strategic handover.

“The EFCC will conduct and carry out its established mandate by further investigating and prosecuting this case to its logical conclusion.

In the life of a people, there comes a time that certain institutions become the beacon of hope by safeguarding our economy against illicit financial flows,” Ebelo said.

He expressed profound appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for creating an enabling environment for the collaboration.

He also commended Adamu and his officers for their vigilance and commitment to enforcing the laws governing cross-border movement of currency.

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A 23-year-old man, Onasanya Segun was on Tuesday arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Isabo for allegedly breaking into a house and stealing valuables worth over N15million.

The defendant, whose address was not provided, pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of burglary and stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Opeyemi Lawal, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Sept. 27 at about 2:00 p.m. at Kemta Housing Estate, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta.

Lawal alleged that Segun broke into the house of the complainant, Mr Seun Sowunmi, with intent to commit felony.

He further stated that Segun stole cable wires, one fan coil and two fan switches valued at N15 million, all belonging to Sowunmi.

Lawal said that Segun unlawfully entered into the dwelling of the complainant through the ceiling, unaware of the presence of security guards on duty.

He was thereafter apprehended and handed over to the police.

“Segun, upon his arrest, made a confessional statement admitting to the crime and his intention to sell the stolen items,” the prosecutor told the court.

Lawal said that the offences contravened sections 383, 390(9) and 412 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun 2006.

The Magistrate, Miss O.T Odubanjo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5million with one surety in like sum.

Odubanjo said that the surety must be a registered bondsman with the Ogun State judiciary.

She ordered that Segun be remanded at the Oba Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

The case was adjourned until Oct. 19 for hearing.

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The Police Command in Lagos State has identified the police inspector seen in a viral video making inappropriate remarks while travelling in public transport.

The command also said it had begun disciplinary proceedings against the officer in line with the established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

Adebisi said the command was committed to transparency and accountability and would not condone conduct capable of bringing the NPF into disrepute.

She said the statements made by the inspector were made in his personal capacity and did not represent the position, views or official disposition of the command or the NPF.

The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Mr Fatai Tijani, reiterated the need for professionalism, civility and discipline among personnel.

“CP Tijani reiterates that all personnel are expected to maintain professionalism, civility, discipline and respect for members of the public at all times.

“He said wearing the police uniform came with the responsibility to uphold the integrity and reputation of the NPF.

“The CP warned that the command would not condone any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute or undermining public confidence in the police.

“He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to accountability and maintaining professional standards among its personnel, ” Adebisi said.

The spokesperson said the command remained committed to transparency, accountability and policing with humility and integrity.

In a viral video circulating on social media, the inspector was seen and heard making political and ethnic remarks about former Anambra governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, while aboard a public transport.

The inspector was also heard making claims about Obi’s suitability for the presidency and alleging that he was a criminal and a “Yahoo” person.

He further suggested that President Bola Tinubu would use his financial resources to defeat Obi in an election, while claiming that an Igbo man could not become president of Nigeria.

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The Police Command in Ogun has arrested a 43-year-old man, over the alleged killing of his neighbour, Michael Eje, 38, in Mowe.

The command’s spokesman DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Friday in Abeokuta.

Babaseyi said that the suspect, who was earlier reported to be at large, was arrested in connection with the death of Eje.

He said that the suspect had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

According to him, the incident occurred after Eje allegedly hugged and played with the suspect’s three-year-old child.

“The suspect was said to have become angry, accusing Eje of engaging in rough play with the child.

“He allegedly picked up a bamboo stick and repeatedly hit Eje, who collapsed and died.

“The suspect immediately went into hiding with his family,” the command’s spokesman said.

Babaseyi said that the deceased was a university graduate, and who obtained a degree in Guidance and Counselling.

He said that investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the victim was ongoing.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has warned religious leaders against diverting tithes, offerings, zakat and other religious funds into private businesses.

The EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede gave the warning on Wednesday in Abuja, at the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) themed “Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria”.

Olukoyede said such diversion was criminal and advised churches and mosques to create regulatory compliance mechanisms to protect funds entrusted to them.

He emphasised that religious leaders must lead by example in the anti-corruption fight because followers emulated their conduct.

According to him, the message should begin with us as leaders before we even go down to our followers. If as leaders we do the right thing, the followers will emulate us.

”When the followers know that there is no difference between the money that is meant to propagate the faith that you stand for and your own personal resources, you miss everything together.

”You are not supposed to mingle in. That’s nothing that says you can’t do any other vocation. You sell cars, you are a farmer and all of that.

”Don’t mix the money from the purse of your organisation with that of your own personal money. Don’t do that. When money is paid to your organisation, don’t divert it to your business.

”That’s criminal and some of our adherents and followers see some of these things we do.”

The EFCC chairman noted that religious institutions had extraordinary responsibility because while the EFCC could investigate, conduct, and prosecute fraud, faith communities could influence character and cultivate honesty to prevent crime.

He also criticised worship centres that celebrated unexplained wealth.

“A public servant says he has built a mosque that is worth more than his earnings in the next 500 years. And you go there to dedicate it. You are dedicating the proceeds of crime,” he said.

He warned faith community against providing moral shelter for corruption.

”No ethnic group should see investigation of its member as attack on the group, and no charitable donation should cleanse wealth obtained through suffering of others,” he also said.

Olukoyede emphasised that the most successful anti-corruption system reduced opportunity for corruption, hence EFCC established a Directorate of Fraud Risk Assessment and Control to monitor MDAs.

He noted that the commission had dismissed over 40 staff for corrupt practices.

He also said that when criminal wealth overwhelmed legitimate enterprise, citizens begin to question whether integrity still had value, noting that prosperity for a few without shared flourishing was not true flourishing.

The EFCC boss further said that the commission had been engaging religious leaders through its interfaith framework and had now designed an Inter-Faith Manual that sufficiently addressed topical issues to be preached.

“We are using this opportunity to inaugurate the manual, which we hope our religious leaders will surely find useful in teaching anti-corruption messages to their members,” he said.

He stressed that financial crime had no religion and corruption had no tribe, as both Christians and Muslims suffered when public money wass stolen.

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