Category: EFCC

EFCC Declares Two More Suspects Wanted in N1bn CBEX Fraud Case

Shidali Khadijat Ajechi

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared two additional suspects, Folashade Odelana and Bamidele Ayodele Abiodun, wanted for their alleged involvement in the N1 billion cryptocurrency fraud linked to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX). The commission made the announcement yesterday via its official X account, revealing that the suspects were last seen at 17 Oremeta Street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. EFCC officials urged members of the public to report any information about the suspects’ whereabouts to the nearest EFCC office. With this latest announcement, the number of individuals wanted…

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EFCC arraigns two Chinese Nationals for alleged illegal mining

Shidali Khadijat Ajechi

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai, before the Federal High Court in Lagos on five counts, including conspiracy, illegal mining of lithium, and unlawful possession of mineral resources. Prosecutors further stated that the defendants unlawfully possessed mineral resources including T-12078LA Muscovite and Leidolite (Mica Minerals); LSR585XD-Spodumene and Petalite (Lithium Minerals); LSR585XD-Anhydrite, Quartz, Magnesite, Bornite, and Cuprite (Copper Minerals); and APP379XW-Spodumene and Petalite Ores (Lithium Minerals) intended for export. The EFCC alleged that the two defendants, along with…

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Allocate 753 duplexes to Military personnel, youth group urges FG

Tolu Adebayo

The Youth Arise Movement has called on the federal government to allocate the 753 duplexes recently recovered from former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, rather than proceeding with the planned public sale of the properties. The call comes amid growing concerns over the long-standing accommodation challenges faced by military personnel across the country. The group insists that using the seized estate to support the welfare of the nation’s security operatives would be both impactful and patriotic. The properties in question, located in Abuja,…

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FG to Sell Emefiele’s 753-Unit Housing Estate

Shidali Khadijat Ajechi

The Federal Government has announced its decision to sell the 753 housing units recovered from former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, as proceeds of crime. Salisu Haiba, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, released a statement on Tuesday in Abuja confirming the development. Haiba revealed that the Ministry has received the estate—comprising 753 duplexes, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovered from Emefiele. He stated that the Ministry plans to sell the houses to the public and also allocate some…

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Mercy Chinwo’s Former Manager Charged to Court for Fraud by EFCC.

Tolu Adebayo

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Lagos Federal High Court has postponed ruling on the bail application of Mr. Ezekiel. The decision is now set for May 9, 2025. Ezekiel faces charges of illegal foreign exchange transactions and money laundering. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the case. Prosecutor Mrs. Buhari-Bala said Ezekiel broke the law in June 2023. According to her, he conducted a $52,895 forex deal with Mr. Oladotun Olaobaju Mureke. He allegedly acted without approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The EFCC claims this…

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EFCC Arrests Former Lawmaker on grounds of taking Bribe

Tolu Adebayo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Nigerian lawmaker Danjuma Kazaure. He is accused of receiving N70 million in bribes from former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele. An EFCC source, speaking anonymously, said Emefiele sent N20 million to Kazaure in two separate payments. The money was reportedly delivered by Emefiele’s associate, a man identified only as Mr. Eric. The funds were allegedly meant for buying “Salla rams,” likely for a religious festival. The source also claimed Kazaure received another N50 million from Emefiele. This sum was described…

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Uniport Student gets arrested alongside his parents and girlfriend for internet fraud

Tolu Adebayo

A student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Gift Kenneth has been jailed alongside his mother and girlfriend for defrauding an American lady, Lucinda Ann Garnes Henrichson, of around $902,935 (about N371 million). He and the two others – his mother, Dora Animam, and girlfriend, Spice Chimzi Dandy Igwe – were sentenced by Justice F. A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State, on Thursday, July 22, for internet fraud. A statement by the Head, Media and Publicity, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Wilson Uwujaren said…

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VDM Legal Team Slams EFCC Over Continued Detention Without Charges

oluwatobi enitan

The legal team representing Mr. Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for failing to formally inform their client of any charges following his arrest on May 1, 2025. According to Zainab Otega, a member of VDM’s legal team, her client underwent hours of interrogation on Thursday, with her colleague Marvin Omorogbe present. Despite the EFCC’s earlier announcement that Otse had been granted administrative bail, he remains in custody as of press time. The legal team declined to disclose the bail…

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VeryDarkMan’s Lawyer Slams EFCC Over Bail Delays

Tolu Adebayo

Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has expressed deep frustration with the EFCC over delays in releasing social media activist Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan. Although the EFCC granted administrative bail, Otse remains in custody. The anti-graft agency claims he has not met the bail conditions required for release. According to the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, Otse was arrested after ignoring several invitations for questioning. These invitations followed multiple petitions accusing him of financial misconduct. Oyewale stated clearly, “We obtained a legal remand order and have…

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EFCC Denies Arresting VeryDarkMan Over Petitions, Labels BBC Report Fake News

oluwatobi enitan

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied arresting activist Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). It called reports of his arrest false and misleading. On Monday, the EFCC posted an official statement on Facebook. It urged the public to ignore claims that VDM was arrested. The denial followed a report by BBC News Pidgin. That report alleged that EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrest. BBC quoted Oyewale as saying VDM would be released once he met bail conditions. It also claimed he was arrested due to…

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EFCC Arrests Ex-Refinery Chiefs Over $2.96B Scandal

Tolu Adebayo

The EFCC has arrested former managing directors and top officials of three major Nigerian refineries. The arrests followed an investigation into the mismanagement of nearly $3 billion meant for facility repairs. According to the EFCC, the probe involves Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refining companies. Officials allegedly diverted funds intended to upgrade aging infrastructure in these state-owned facilities. The arrests happened over the weekend and were confirmed in a Monday EFCC statement. So far, the agency has detained key executives responsible for project oversight and finance. Among those arrested are…

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CBEX Resumes Operations Amid N1.2 Trillion Fraud Probe

oluwatobi enitan

Despite being at the center of an alleged N1.2 trillion digital trading fraud that reportedly affected over 600,000 Nigerians, the embattled Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) has quietly resumed operations. The platform, under investigation by Nigerian regulatory bodies, has announced new withdrawal options aimed at restoring investor confidence. CBEX Trading Resumes Amid Scrutiny According to confirmations by two CBEX traders who spoke with The PUNCH, the platform has reopened registration for new users, enabled trading activities, and allowed profit withdrawals—even as regulatory investigations are still underway. An external audit and insurance…

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