Author: Staff Editor
Some birthdays offer more than an opportunity to celebrate life; they invite us to honour a journey, appreciate a calling and thank God for the gift of another year. Today, October 14, we celebrate Olanipekun Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and reflect on the values of integrity, humility, faith and courage that shape his journey. Born in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Olukoyede has built a career marked by professional dedication and a strong sense of responsibility. Since his appointment as EFCC Chairman by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in October 2023, he has led an institution at…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken another step towards strengthening its officers’ capacity to combat sophisticated financial crimes with the commencement of a 10-day specialised training programme on asset tracing and cryptocurrency investigations. The training, organised in partnership with the South Korean Police for more than 30 EFCC operatives, commenced on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the EFCC Academy, Karu, Abuja. The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, who spoke through the Acting Commandant of the EFCC Academy, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) Joseph Ogwiji, said the increasing use of digital financial services and…
Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, reserved ruling on the admissibility of statements made by the former Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, following a trial-within-a-trial. Idris is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside Geoffrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited, on a 14-count charge bordering on stealing and the fraudulent diversion of public funds amounting to ₦109.5 billion. The trial-within-a-trial was ordered by the court on November 22, 2022, following an application by counsel to the first…
President Bola Tinubu has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its record-breaking achievements in combating financial crimes, recovering illicit assets and strengthening Nigeria’s international financial standing. He also called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the fight against corruption. The President gave the commendation in Abuja on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the opening ceremony of the 8th EFCC/National Judicial Institute (NJI) Workshop for Judges and Justices. The workshop is themed “Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes in a Digital Age.” Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu particularly commended the EFCC’s efforts to tackle…
At the continuation of the trial of social media influencer Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, on Monday, October 12, 2026, a prosecution witness, PW1, Dr Onuoha Okeigwe, told Justice R. A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, how he paid N69,150,000 for a five-year lease of a property allegedly represented to him as belonging to the influencer. Blessing CEO was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 9, 2026, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing, involving N69,150,000.…
Justice M.S. Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental human rights suit filed by Abuja-based businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. In the originating suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, Achimugu approached the court for determination of whether the defendant, EFCC’s action of searching her house and seizing her cars and jewelries and other items was within the powers of the Commission. Achimugu also asked the court to enforce her rights to privacy, including an order of the court restraining the defendant from threatening or harassing and invading her private residence. Part…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, October 12, 2026, arraigned Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) Plc and its director, Zavyalov Dmitry, before Justice O. A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged money laundering offences involving N582,430,250. The company and its director were arraigned on a six-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/644/2025. Dmitry is said to be at large. According to the charge, the company, a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP), and its director allegedly failed to report in writing to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) certain single transfers made from…
Zenith Bank Plc is set to launch the maiden edition of its Girl-Child Empowerment Programme, an initiative aimed at inspiring young girls to dream boldly, develop the skills and confidence to pursue their aspirations, and prepare for meaningful opportunities in the future. The event, themed “Banking On Her Tomorrow,” is the brainchild of the Bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, the first female GMD/CEO in Zenith Bank’s history and a strong advocate for girl-child education and empowerment. The event will be held virtually on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., a day after the…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, October 9, 2026, handed over $56,000 recovered in a suspected procurement fraud case to an American-based businesswoman, Mrs Adeshola Oshilaja. The handover took place at the Commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, Ikoyi, Lagos, bringing the total amount recovered for her to $104,950. The latest recovery represents the outstanding balance following an earlier payment of $48,950 made directly to Oshilaja by the defendant, Babatunde Samuel Akinsanmi. The recovery and handover followed an investigation into a petition filed by Oshilaja over the alleged failure of her business associate and family friend, Akinsanmi, to…
A joint venture agreement for the construction of 18 apartments has triggered a major property dispute in Lagos, with the landowner alleging that developer Levitikal expanded the project to more than 44 units, attempted to mortgage the entire property and sold apartments to third parties beyond its agreed entitlement. The dispute, involving Levitikal and Mr. Samuel Ajose, centres on a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) executed in May 2021 for the development of 18 three-bedroom apartments, to be shared equally between the landowner and the developer. Under the agreement, the landowner was entitled to nine apartments, while Levitikal was to retain…