The police on Tuesday arraigned a 37-year-old man, Azeez Anifowoshe, before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a Hyundai Sonata SUV valued at N15 million.

Anifowose, whose address was not provided, is facing two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecutor, Mrs Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that defendant committed the offences with some others still at large on Sept. 21 at 2.20 a.m. at No. 41, Sebiotimo St., Dopemu, Agege, Lagos.

Ikhayere alleged the defendant stole the Hyundai Sonata SUV with registration number GGE 716 JN, belonging to the complainant, Mrs Yewande Talabi.

She said that the defendant was caught during a police routine check and was arrested for further investigation.

Ikhayere said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

It was reported that Section 287 stipulates three years jail team for stealing, while Section 411 provides two years for conspiracy.

The Magistrate, Mr Leteef Owolabi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until Dec. 3 for mention.

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A 26-year-old man, Seyi Adekeye, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court Ibadan, over an alleged attempt to commit felony.

Adekeye, whose address was not provided, was charged with attempt to commit felony to which he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, ASP Olagoke Adegbenro, said the defendant committed the offence on Oct. 1, at about 5.44 a.m, at Ologuneru, Ibadan.

Adegbenro alleged that the defendant attempted to commit felony with cutlass in his hand with an intent to steal at Freedom Estate, Ologuneru.

According to him, the offence contravenes Section 509 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The magistrate, Mrs Olasinmibo Sanusi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She held that the sureties must be blood relations to the defendant and adjourned the case until Oct. 20, for mention.

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The Magistrates’ Court in Dutse, Abuja, on Tuesday discharged a transporter, Isah Lawal of stealing 10 bales of building fillers worth N3.4 million.

Lawal, who resides in Gombe, was charged with criminal breach of trust and theft, contrary to Sections 312 and 387 of the Penal Code.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr Ibrahim Alkali, discharged the case following Defence Counsel, Mr Bala Mubarak’s prayer to strike out the case for lack of evidence linking his client to the alleged theft.

Mubarak cited Section 351 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in support of his application.

He also told the court that the prosecution had repeatedly been absent since the case commenced, without providing any reason for the absence.

Magistrate Alkali said the case had been before the court since May 13 and had suffered five adjournments.

Alkali said no proof of evidence had been presented and there had been no prosecution representation despite the adjournments.

The magistrate therefore ordered that the case should be struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.

Earlier, the police alleged that one Isaac Egwemezie of Deidei, Abuja reported the matter at the Deidei Divisional Police Headquarters on May 11.

The police alleged that on May 8, Lawal loaded 253 bales of fillers belonging to Egwemezie for transportation from Lagos to Deidei Building Materials Market, Abuja.

The prosecution alleged that upon the defendant’s arrival in Abuja, the complainant discovered that 10 bales of the fillers, worth N3.4 million were missing.

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The Police Command in Lagos State has begun an investigation into a viral video in which a man alleged that some police officers stopped him and collected N20,000 before releasing his motorcycle.

The video, shared on social media by @dammiedammies35, showed the man narrating how he was stopped by police officers in Mafoluku, Oshodi, while on a delivery assignment.

According to him, the officers searched his delivery bag but found nothing incriminating before requesting his rider card and other documents.

He alleged that the officers subsequently took his motorcycle to their station and that he was made to pay N20,000 before the motorcycle was released.

The man said he had no other option but to make the payment because his customers were already calling and asking about their packages.

Reacting to the video on Monday, the command, in a post on its X handle, @LagosPoliceNG, said the officers involved had been identified as personnel attached to the Makinde Divisional Headquarters.

The command said that in line with the directive of the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Tijani, the officers had reported at the command headquarters and were being interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.

“The command is aware of the video and has commenced an investigation into the incident,” it stated.

It assured the public that the investigation was ongoing and that appropriate action would be taken based on its findings.

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The Spokesman for the command, SP Bright Edafe disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Warri.

Edafe said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday by the operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit of the command.

He added that the operatives were acting on credible information gotten from a viral video.

Edafe said the police team stormed the suspected criminals hideout in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area (LGA) and effected the arrest.

“Following a viral video of some suspected cultists celebrating the murder of another suspected cultist, the police operatives stormed their hideouts and arrested two of them.

“The duo were arrested in connection with the cult-related killing of a 25-year-old man identified simply as Godfrey at Jesse Main Market, Ethiope West LGA on March 24, 2026.

“One battle axe, four cutlasses and one hammer were recovered during the operation,” he said.

Edafe said that preliminary investigation revealed that one of the fleeing suspects was vying for number one position in Aro Bagger confraternity.

Edafe said the suspect, therefore, needed to murder a rival cult member for him to attain the position.

He said that the suspect who was currently at large, connived with the two detained suspects and a friend to the victim, who is also on the run to perpetrate the attack.

Edafe said efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects were on top gear, adding that the arrested culprits were assisting the police with useful information.

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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 Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received 49,673 petitions, investigated 39,615 cases and secured 10,872 convictions between October 2023 and July 2026.

The EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, disclosed this at the inauguration of the commission’s new Zonal Directorate in Awka, Anambra.

Olukoyede said the commission also filed 14,476 cases in court within the period, underscoring the scale of its operations against economic and financial crimes.

He said the establishment of the Awka Zonal Directorate was part of ongoing reforms to decentralise the Commission’s operations.

The chairman said that it was also to bring the anti-graft services closer to Nigerians and strengthen its capacity to combat financial crimes.

He said the directorate would cover Anambra and Imo states.

The EFCC chairman said the commission was shifting towards preventive measures by identifying vulnerabilities and strengthening institutional controls before public funds were diverted.

“We are no longer waiting until public resources have been diverted before taking action. We are increasingly adopting a preventive approach to financial crimes,” he said.

According to him, the commission will collaborate with state governments on internally generated revenue, land administration and other areas susceptible to fraud.

He urged Nigerians to develop a “conscious watch” against corruption and provide credible information on fraud, diversion of public resources and other financial crimes to relevant authorities.

President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, said the Federal Government remained committed to strengthening the fight against economic and financial crimes.

Tinubu said decentralising EFCC operations in the South-East would extend the commission’s presence and impact across more sectors of society.

He commended the EFCC for its efforts in combating corruption, describing the fight against economic and financial crimes as critical to national development.

He assured the commission of continued Federal Government support to enable it discharge its mandate effectively.

Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra said the state government would continue to partner with the EFCC to combat economic and financial crimes.

Soludo said the collaboration would cover taxation, revenue generation and training of local government staff and civil servants.

Also, Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo, Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, welcomed the decentralisation of EFCC operations to the South-East.

Uzodimma said the Awka Directorate would ease the burden on residents of the region who previously travelled to Abuja or Lagos for invitations, questioning and other official engagements with the Commission.

He said the development would bring the Commission closer to the people and facilitate its operations in the region.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes, Rep. Ginger Onwusibe, assured Nigerians of the EFCC leadership’s commitment to bringing perpetrators of financial crimes to justice.

The President of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, expressed concern over the increasing incidence of fraud, popularly known as 419, in the country.

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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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