News
Judge Orders Probe Of Court Registrar For Destroying Evidence In N10bn Fraud Trial
Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, ordered the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services, DSS, to investigate his court registrar, Nasiru Onimisi Zubairu, as well as the 2nd defendant in an alleged N10 billion fraud trial, Daudu Sulaiman, for allegedly tampering with exhibits tendered before the court.
The exhibits were tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to establish the N10 billion fraud charges against Mr Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State.
The order followed the disclosure by the judge that Zubairu confessed to him that Sulaiman, one of the accused persons in the trial, approached him to use a code to wipe off some significant messages contained in WhatsApp chats of the second defendant in a telephone set deposited with the court.
Justice Omotosho played Zubairu’s confessions in the open court and further directed him to tell the court what transpired between him and the second defendant.
Addressing the court, the judge said: “I have to disclose it because that is what the Chief Judge told us, to ensure we disclose such a thing as early as possible. We have a policy of discovery and disclosure at the Federal High Court. We have zero tolerance for this kind of attitude. The person involved is here, I will call him so that you will hear from the horse’s mouth.”
Zubairu went ahead to tell the court how he was approached by Sulaiman.
According to him, the second defendant asked him what he wanted and he told him that he had accommodation challenges.
“I was asked to delete some certain information, some WhatsApp messages in the exhibits on the promise that I will be given a house,” he said.
Justice Omotosho also allowed the prosecution counsel, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation DPPF, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, to direct the Investigation Officer, Muhammed Audu Abubakar, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to disclose before the court if indeed the chats were deleted from the phone.
Abubakar told the court that information contained in Exhibits N and O, including chats on several dates from 2020 to 2022, had been deleted.
Earlier, Justice Omotosho asked the registrar the specific chat he deleted but he told the court that he could not remember, adding that he knew he opened only two chats. “I can’t remember but I opened only two chats,” he said.
To confirm that many of the chats had been deleted, Oyedepo told the witness to go through Exhibit N, particularly the conversation involving the Director General, Government House.
The witness informed the court that chats between December 3, 2020 and December 28, 2020 had been deleted.
“There was no chat on 23 December, it stopped on December 22 and continued on 29 December, 2020,” he stated.
He was also asked to check page 196 of the exhibit, that is on 13 January, 2021. He informed that court that the chat there read, “Abdurasheed will bring it to Abuja now”.
“On 22 January, 2021, the chats “Hudu will bring it now,” was deleted. There is nothing here on the phone. It has been deleted. What we had on 27 January, “Hudu is bringing it,” has been deleted,” the witness added.
The witness further informed the court that he came across the chat in the course of investigation. “I came across this chat at the time of investigation. On 26 January, 2021, Hudu is bringing N100 million”, has also been deleted.”
The witness informed the court that there is no chat on 26 January, 2021.
He added, “On 30 January 2021, “N60m is on transit from Friday… they are on their way coming,” has been deleted.
“Hudu is on his way to Abuja… he is also coming with N30m,” has been deleted.
“30 August 2021, “Mr Ododo has collected N50m and will be coming tomorrow to Abuja”, has been deleted.
“On page 296, the chat “Hudu is on his way, coming with N93m, N7m for TJ and for 2 January 2022,” has been deleted,” the witness further explained.
Oyedepo noted that “on page 297, there was a reference to Rabiu, that is on 28 February 2022.” Responding, the witness said, “It is not here my Lord. It has also been deleted.”
Abubakar went through other chat records and confirmed that vital information contained in the exhibit (the phone) had indeed been deleted.
Advertisement
Reacting to the deleted chats, Oyedepo demanded that “this issue be investigated and the report brought to your Lordship”.
He added, “There is a very urgent irresistible suspicion that Exhibit N which contains crucial evidence have been tempered with.
“We apply that the Lordship grant an order revoking the bail of the defendant and order forensic investigation of Exhibit N.”
The defence counsel expressed shock at the development but urged the court to await the outcome of the forensic investigation of the matter. “I will urge my lord to await the outcome of the investigation. “
In response, Justice Omotosho directed that the matter should be investigated by the police and DSS and adjourned the matter to February 9, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it will sustain salary payments for up to 12 months to families of personnel who die in the line of duty.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, approved the welfare initiative as part of measures to strengthen support for families of fallen personnel.
A credible NAF source who pleaded anonymity disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Abuja.
He said the policy, which provided a special extension of salary payments to the spouses or next of kin of NAF personnel killed in action, would help cushion the impact of their loss.
He explained that, in line with existing public service rules, salary payments normally cease upon the death of a personnel member.
According to him, the new initiative will see salaries of personnel killed in the line of duty continue for up to 12 months from the date of death, or until all death benefits are fully processed and paid, whichever comes first.
The official said the initiative was designed to prevent financial hardship for bereaved families during the period of administrative processing of death benefits.
He added that the CAS had also approved additional welfare packages for officers, airmen and airwomen of the service.
“These measures are aimed at cushioning the prevailing economic pressures and reinforcing the NAF’s commitment to the wellbeing of its personnel.
“These initiatives are also part of a broader welfare reform agenda anchored on the understanding that the wellbeing of personnel and their families is a strategic enabler of combat effectiveness.
“Enhanced welfare drives effective warfare, ensuring that no airman is left unequipped, untrained or unmotivated,” he said.
The source further said that the initiatives reaffirmed the NAF’s resolve to honour the sacrifices of fallen heroes, support the families they left behind and sustain a motivated and mission-ready force.
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has directed the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to distribute rice across all states of the federation in support of citizens observing the ongoing Ramadan and Lenten seasons.
The initiative is intended to strengthen national unity and demonstrate compassion during a period that holds deep spiritual significance for both Muslims and Christians.
A statement issued by the Director-General, Renewed Hope Ambassadors and governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma explained that “under the directive, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors will coordinate the distribution through their nationwide grassroots network to ensure that families across Nigeria benefit from the intervention during this holy season when both Muslims and Christians are fasting.”
According to the statement: “It is worth noting that a similar intervention was carried out during the last Christmas season, when rice was also distributed to support Nigerians celebrating the festive period.
“This continued effort reflects the administration’s consistent commitment to standing with citizens during important religious and cultural seasons.
“Both Christian and Muslim communities will receive rice as part of the nationwide distribution effort, reflecting the President’s commitment to inclusivity, solidarity, and shared national values.”
Commenting on the initiative, Governor Uzodimma said the programme underscored the President’s belief in supporting citizens during this period of fasting while strengthening interfaith harmony.
He said: “This initiative reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to unity and compassion. Ramadan and Lent are seasons that remind us of sacrifice, charity, and care for one another. Through this distribution, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors will ensure that families across Nigeria feel the spirit of togetherness during this sacred period.”
The statement concluded by saying that the distribution will be carried out across nationwide through the state, local government, and ward structures of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to ensure broad reach and transparency.
The Police Command in Osun says it has arrested two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) in connection with a shooting incident that left a driver dead in Osogbo.
This was contained in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on Sunday.
Ojelabi explained that the two officers of the NCS were arrested in connection with a shooting incident that occurred at Dada Estate Area, Osogbo, on Sunday.
“The suspects were reportedly chasing suspected tokunbo (foreign-used) vehicles when the incident occurred.
“Meanwhile, the driver of the said ash-coloured Toyota Corolla, one of the vehicles being chased by the Customs officers, was shot and confirmed dead by a medical doctor at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital,” he said.
The command’s spokesperson said that the corpse of the yet-to-be-identified victim had been deposited in a morgue.
Ojelabi said several items were recovered from the scene, including a Beretta pistol with breech number 125024, 11 rounds of 9mm live ammunition and one expanded 9mm shell.
Other items recovered were a white Toyota Corolla with Lagos registration number AAA 400 GQ, and an ash Toyota Corolla with registration number GFQ 0982.
He said that the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, had ordered a thorough investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He assured members of the public that anyone found culpable would face the full wrath of the law.
He urged residents to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that can aid the investigation.
Troops Bust Terrorists’ Tax Collection Scheme in Yobe
NAF approves 12 months salary payment for families of fallen personnel
Tinubu directs nationwide distribution of rice for Ramadan, Lent
-
News22 hours ago2027: Gov of Bauchi reportedly planning to abandon PDP for APC this week
-
News22 hours agoWatch how NDLEA operatives politely educate grandpa nabbed with cocaine (Video)
-
News19 hours agoMidnight fire engulfs Jos main market destroying ten shops
-
News22 hours agoUK-bound 74-year-old grandad arrested at Abuja airport with 11kg cocaine in balloons+Photos
-
News21 hours agoNPA wins Champions Newspaper’s “Outstanding Agency of the Year Award 2025”
-
News5 hours agoUK releases programme for President Tinubu’s State visit
-
News21 hours agoJournalists are professionals deserving Respect- IGP Disu
-
News5 hours agoPope Leo decries ‘atrocious violence’ in Iran war, urges ceasefire