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Court fixes June 22 for hearing on couple’s alleged N740m investment fraud

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Justice Ekerete Akpan of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, fixed June 22, July 1 and 2, 2026 for definite hearing in the trial of the Chief Executive Officer of Onome Global Market Resources Limited and Lexicon Multi-concept Media Limited, Osabohein Alex Ologbose, and his wife Hope Onome Oghelemu for alleged investment fraud.

The duo are being prosecuted alongside two companies, on a seven-count charge, bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, conversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of N740 million.

According to the EFCC, the offence is contrary to Section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 and punishment under Section 18(4) of the same Act.

The defendants were arraigned on February 16, 2026.

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At the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, the prosecuting EFCC lawyer, O.S Ujam, informed the court that the prosecution team was ready to proceed with the trials and to present three witnesses in court.

On his part, the defence lawyer , T.O. Ochayi, informed the court that he was unprepared for the commencement of the trial, having been briefed on the matter just a day before and taking over only today.

He said, “We are not ready, my lord. I am sorry my lord. I just came into this matter today, I was not the counsel before now. I am not ready for trial. I was briefed yesterday, I would like this matter to proceed only if I have the motion for bail.”

Responding, Ujam informed the court that the prosecution team was hearing such a response from the defence for the first time, frowning at the fact that the prosecution was not given any prior notice for the change in counsel. He further informed the court that the three prosecution witnesses present in court were elderly and have been in court since morning.

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He said, “We are just hearing this, this morning. No notice was given to us. I am not opposed to the adjournment, however, we urge the court to slate the matter for definite hearing. We have three witnesses that came from afar and elderly. They have been in court since morning.”

Justice Akpan, thereafter, adjourned the matter till June 22, and July 1 and 2, 2026 for definite hearing.

Investigation by the EFCC revealed that the first and second defendants induced unsuspecting members of the public into paying money into Oghelemu’s account or that of Onome Global Market Resources Limited on the false pretence that it was for procurement and exportation of “bitter kola nuts” and “red kola nuts” to Hong Kong, China and Indonesia after which they would be paid a huge Return on Investment (RoI).

But it turned out that the investors neither got RoI, nor their investment sums back.

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Tinubu Seeks Constitutional Backing For State Police, Writes Senate

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President Bola Tinubu has asked the senate to approve a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture.

The request was contained in a letter dated June 15, 2026, and read on the floor of the senate on Tuesday by Godswill Akpabio.

In the correspondence, Tinubu said the proposed Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the 1999 constitution to provide a legal framework for the creation of state police services.

The president said the bill is designed to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges by introducing a dual policing structure that would allow both federal and state policing systems to operate within a constitutional framework.

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According to him, the proposal builds on previous legislative efforts by both chambers of the national assembly and contains additional safeguards to ensure effective implementation.

“This bill builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure to address our nation’s evolving national security challenges, will be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.

The president described the proposed legislation as a key component of his administration’s broader plan to reform Nigeria’s security system and improve the protection of lives and property.

“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganize Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I’m confident that the Senate will act quickly to consider and pass this bill,” he added.

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Read Also: Amnesty International Demands Immediate Release of Omoyele Sowore, Condemns Detention

Tinubu urged lawmakers to give the proposal expeditious consideration.

Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the bill to the senate committee on constitution review for further legislative action.

The committee was directed to report back to the chamber on the next legislative day.

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State Police: Senate will formally pass Bill on Wednesday

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The Nigerian Senate has fixed Wednesday for the passage of the state police bill.

The lawmakers had cut short their recess to consider the bill, which seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution and decentralise Nigeria’s policing system in response to worsening security challenges

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday transmitted an executive version of the bill to the Senate through a letter dated June 15, 2026.

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The proposed legislation seeks to establish a dual policing system in which federal and state police forces operate alongside each other.

At the plenary on Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the proposal as a key step towards restructuring Nigeria’s security framework.

The proposed legislation was immediately referred to the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, which is expected to present its report for consideration and voting.

Akpabio called on senators to be present for the exercise, stressing the need for broad support to secure its passage.

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“Every senator should endeavor to come tomorrow to be part of this exercise.

“We are going to be live tomorrow and your constituents will be seeing what you are doing,” he added.

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INEC formally confirms winners of by-elections, issues certificates of return

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has presented Certificates of Return to candidates who emerged victorious in the by-elections conducted on June 20, 2026, across Rivers, Enugu, Nasarawa, Ondo and Kano States.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the electoral commission.

According to INEC, the certificates were presented on behalf of the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, by the Supervising National Commissioner for Rivers State, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu.

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Speaking during the presentation, Agbamuche-Mbu congratulated the successful candidates and urged them to prioritise the interests of the people they were elected to represent.

“The most important responsibility before you is to represent your constituents well,” Agbamuche-Mbu said.

The National Commissioner also reminded the winners of the expectations placed on them by voters and encouraged them to serve with diligence and commitment.

INEC further disclosed that Certificates of Return would also be presented to winners of other recently concluded elections, including the Zuru State Constituency election in Kebbi State and the governorship election in Ekiti State.

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INEC said the presentation of the certificates followed the conclusion of the bye-elections conducted on June 20, 2026.

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