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FULL LIST: Fubara, Tompolo… 166 People on EFCC Wanted List
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s wanted list comprises 166 people.
Yahaya Bello, a former governor of Kogi State, who was declared wanted by the EFCC on April 18 for evading arrest in an N80 billion fraud investigation, is one of the most prominent persons on the list, but he only joined a community of over 160 financial crimes suspects in Nigeria. Big names such as Bello often wait out attention on their financial crime cases.
This 166 people-strong list includes Siminilayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State; past governors; ex-bankers; Chinese, Italian and Israeli nationals; and federal government partner Tompolo.
FIJ makes a full list and highlights why some of these wanted persons remain free.
Mariani Albino, an Italian man, was 53 years old when the EFCC declared him wanted in December 2013. Albino allegedly obtained money by false pretence, stole and laundered funds to the tune of N989,288,400.
Sylvester Osondu Okereke was a 38-year-old Abia State citizen when the EFCC declared him wanted in January 2014.
Badmus Luqman Adedeji, a Kwara State indigene, was 45 years old when he was added to the wanted list.
The EFCC declared Emeka Charles Ekekwe wanted in February 2014. An ex-Fidelity Bank employee, Ekekwe was accused of obtaining N146 million under false pretence.
Olabode Jacob Obayomi was declared wanted in February 2014 when the EFCC linked him with a case of criminal conspiracy, diversion of public funds and breach of trust. Obayomi had allegedly made the unauthorised sale of over N251 million worth of stock belonging to the Ebonyi State Government.
The EFCC declared Oluwaseun Ogunbambo wanted in February 2014, when he failed to show up in court for a N1 billion subsidy fraud the commission was prosecuting him for. Mobolaji Akintunde, Ogunbambo’s lawyer, told the court that his client fell while bathing, sustained spinal cord injuries and was recovering at the Nigerian Army Military Hospital in Yaba. In April 2014, the EFCC told a Lagos High Court in Ikeja that Ogunbambo had fled to Canada.
Kothari, an Indian national, was 60 years old when the EFCC declared him wanted in March 2014.
Sunit Sharma was a 41-year-old Indian man the EFCC declared wanted alongside Kothari and two others.
Kumar Sharma was 46 years old when the EFCC declared him wanted.
The EFCC declared 61-year-old Subramanian wanted in March 2014 alongside Kumar, Sunit and Kothari. According to the EFCC, all four Indians were released on administrative bail but failed to present themselves for trial. They were believed to have fled Nigeria.
Alhaji Mutairu Orilowo was the 47-year-old husband of actress Laide Bakare when the EFCC declared him wanted in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences and stealing in 2014. Orilowo took the EFCC to court claiming the commission was prosecuting him unjustly, but that court ordered the forfeiture of all properties linked to Orilowo in May 2014.
Bawa Thomas Momodu, a 38-year-old ex-banker, was declared wanted in 2014. Momodu was linked to forgery and theft, but no news of him surfaced afterwards.
The EFCC declared Desmond Osawaru wanted in April 2014. In 2016, he was still wanted. Reports show that Osawaru was wanted for obtaining $200,000 from a client under false pretence. His unsuspecting victim fell for a phoney boat transaction. He remains a fugitive in his late sixties.
John Samson Akpan of Akwa Ibom allegedly defrauded one Alhaji Umaru Garkuwa, a bureau de change operator, of N3,290,000.
Monday Idaresit Ekpo of Akwa Ibom allegedly defrauded one Alhaji Umaru Garkuwa, a bureau de change operator, of N3,290,000. There’s been no report of Akpan and Ekpo’s arrests.
Godswill Oyegwa Oyoyou was 38 years old when the EFCC declared him wanted for allegedly collaborating with some scammers to hack into his bank’s database and illegally gain control of N6.28 billion in 2014. He worked in the information technology department of a bank. Oyoyou is still on the run.
Hope Rexlawson, as the National Coordinator of Rebuild Nigeria Initiative NGO, allegedly issued several fake EcoBank and Zenith Bank cheques to Goshen Motors Limited as payment for 46 Vehicles. The cheques totalled N73,600,000. The EFCC declared him wanted in 2014, but there was no resolution or arraignment in the news.
Salisu Taiwo (AKA Olusola Enitan), 39 years old.
The EFCC declared Addatu Shitu Adamu wanted after an alleged fraudulent N13 million sale of land to Martin Ezendu.
Liu Zuzhi was declared wanted in December 2014 for allegedly defrauding Sanju Sunny Nigeria Limited and China Railway Engineering No 3 Nigeria Limited. Zuzhi was said to have colluded with a few others to fraudulently obtain millions from these companies before fleeing.
Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, a former Jigawa State governor, was declared wanted in January 2015 after refusing to appear in court in 2014. The EFCC said that there was a subsisting warrant for Turaki’s arrest.
Turaki had been arrested and arraigned before Federal High Court, Abuja, in 2007 over alleged N8.3 billion corruption and embezzlemennt of public funds.
Justice Hassan Dikko of the Federal High Court sitting in Jigawa eventually cleared Turaki and three other companies of all the 33 count charges bordering on alleged N8.3 billion fraud in 2022.
Harry Agbenu Austin
Mary Agbenu Austin
Titilayo Mary Kayode
Victoria Adenike Adelana
Hamid Bakoji
Ali Egbunu (AKA Ali Igala)
Friday Sam Obereche
Alhaji Mohammed Hassan Sharrif
Chike Eric Egwuonwu
Chief Etim Ekpo Okima
Nelson Nwole
Godwin Ewah Ebolo
Uka Jesse Onyekachi
Ibrahim Saleh
Ikwudogu Ernest
Esther Olabisi Bello
Alhaji Iliasu Olanrewaju Abdul-Rauf allegedly collected N1.7 billion under the guise of awarding contracts for the establishment of rehabilitation centres in different states. The EFCC declared him wanted in May 2015.
The EFCC declared Daniel Erijo Oyowe, a Federal House of Representatives aspirant for Isoko federal constituency, wanted in 2015. A client had accused Oyowe of disappearing after taking millions of naira from the client’s investment.
Auwalu Abdullahi Yakassai
Osita Emmanuel Okereke
The EFCC declared Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, a former chairperson of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), wanted in November 2015. Maina was allegedly complicit in the over N2 billion Pensions Biometric Scam in the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
The Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Maina to eight years in prison in 2021 for his involvement. The EFCC had, however, not removed Maina from its list of wanted people at press time.
Ahmed Tijani Umar
Jerry Ogbonna Obike Phillip, from Ovim in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, was declared a wanted man in January 2016. He had allegedly withdrawn N45,000,000.00 (Forty Five million naira), which was mistakenly credited into his account in a new generation bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria. There has been no report of his arrest ever since.
Obi James Chukwudi, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Adebowale Mutiu Olamide, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Ogunyemi Paul Yinka, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Ogundele Babalola, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Fasanya Kole Francis, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Saka Oluwatoyin, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Duru Henshaw Ode, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Durojaiye Olasukanmi Ishola, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Lukmon Ajani, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Ayodele Durojaiye, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Desmond Chime Opara, Fraud
Hassan Balogun, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Stanley Ikenna Ibezim, Fraud
Owoyemi Bukola, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Jinadu Edris, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Tanimowo Fatai, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Fakorede John Taye, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Dada Oluwafemi, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Akinlamilo Akinlere, Bank Fraud – Conspiracy, Forgery and Stealing
Government Ekpumupolo (AKA Tompolo), the well-known militant leader from Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West LGA of Delta State, was declared wanted in February 2016. The EFCC said that two consecutive bench warrants had been issued for Tompolo’s arrest by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos. He refused to show up when invited. Tompolo is currently a security partner of the federal government in the Niger Delta region.
Awwal Muhammed
Chukwuemeka Hector Davis Nwachukwu
Ifeoma Jane Nwachukwu
The EFCC declared Adamu Abibu Adamu, a bureau de change operator, wanted in February 2017. Adamu allegedly received N18 million from the complainants but did not give them the dollar equivalent they requested. He is from Yobe State.
Shogbesan Ajoke Bolanle allegedly connived with eight others to fraudulently transfer millions of naira from a customer’s bank account.
Dekunle Abiodun Runsewe allegedly connived with eight others to fraudulently transfer millions of naira from a customer’s bank account.
Victoria Ishaya allegedly connived with eight others to fraudulently transfer millions of naira from a customer’s bank account.
Godwin Etim is a fugitive who was convicted of a two-count charge of illegal dealing in 115 drums of 200 litres capacity AGO by a Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, in October 2016.
Idris Kwado Usman, an alleged accomplice in the misappropriation of over N1 billion SURE-P funds in Katsina State, was declared wanted in February 2017.
Aisha Shettima Nur (AKA Yagana Ibrahim Bukar)
Susan Elya
Ijeoma Constance Ugwah
The EFCC added Liang Zhang, a Chinese male allegedly involved in business fraud, to the wanted list in 2017.
Junyuang Yiang, a Chinese female said to have been involved in business fraud, joined Zhang on the wanted list.
Christopher Ejike Achebe, the alleged Nigerian collaborator of Zhang and Yiang, was also declared wanted in September 2017.
Haruna Adamu Gazau
The EFCC declared Olufunmilade Adeyemi wanted in 2017. Adeyemi was said to have posed as an Alexander Moses, a professor and defrauded many until he was arrested in Ghana and brought back to Nigeria. Adeyemi was granted bail.
He allegedly swindled unsuspecting victims of at least N34 million under the guise of selling property.
The EFCC declared Ngozi Julie Olejeme wanted after she refused to honour repeated invitations from the commission in September 2017.
Ittu Affiong Theresa Tommy
Doron Umansky, an Israeli man, remains on the EFCC’s wanted list. His whereabouts remain unknown.
Hammed Akinola Ariyomi
Ndubuisi Amobi Ezennia
Ugochukwu Alexandre Sandra Nneka
Omosalewa Ayinla, a former staff of Skye Bank Plc., allegedly forged treasury bills certificate worth N27 million and handed them over to a customer in exchange for the money. The EFCC declared her wanted in April 2018.
Siminilayi Fubara, the current Governor of Rivers State, was declared a wanted man in September 2018. The EFCC accused Fubara, then a signatory to the state government, and others of acting as proxies to several government officials who conspired and fraudulently withdrew and diverted N117 billion from the Rivers State treasury between 2015 and 2018. Fubara ran for public office despite his presence on the EFCC’s wanted list.
Dagogo was declared wanted alongside Fubara.
Lekia was declared wanted alongside Fubara.
Harrisonba was declared wanted alongside Fubara.
Aboubakar Hima
Ayeni Olufemi Oluwole
John Yakubu Yusuf
Salihu Mohammed Abdullahi
Olubunmi Akinmolatan
Ismail Danjuma Umar
Oluwatobi Sola Ajayi
Noel Bagudu
Yusuf Adebowale Bello
Omotade-Sparks Amos Sewanu
Emmanuel Elegbenosa Aitanu
Ali Abubakar
Simon Oshi
Samaila Musa
Yusuf Adebowale Bello
Silas Dayo Gbenga
Sunday Markus
Adekeye Adeniyi
Deborah Osagede
Andrew Warri Foubiri
Azubuike Emmanuel Iheji
Olabisi Rashidat
Solomon Israel Efosa
Emeka Ayaunor
Opagun Oluwasegun Akinola
Barnabas Johnson Akonjie
Garba Abdullahi Muhammed (AKA DANLADI AUYO)
Maxwell Chizi Ozum
Akinyemi Samuel Adedoyin
Adeboye Adeyinka Ayodeji
Okebugwu Ifeanyi Goodhope
Onyimeibi Bribena
Biatrice Bribena
Amaechi Barth Udeaku
Paul Odogbo
Precious Williams
Divine Patience Ojoadale Ichado
Kabir Pompin Raheem
Uko Odudu Emmanuel Idungima
Abdul Adama
Uje Alex Ogendengbe
Akinbode Henry Olalekan
Babatunde Olabode
Christian Otti
Ogbemudia Desire Osakpolor
Afolabi Boluwatife Michael
Binta Balarabe Kubua
Goni Yilkan
Rufus John Isip
Faith Onoja
Emmanuel Onoja
Daniel Kossou
Chika Nosa Agada
Lawal Moh’d Kazeem
Iluyomade Tolulope Akinwale
Owumi Ikomi
Olatunji Omolayo Olaseinde
Ikechukwu Reginald Osakwe
Emmanuel Nnanna Ejitu
Eric Ocheme Odoh
Margaret Dumbiri Emefiele
Anita Joy Omoile
Jonathan Omoile
Leno Laitan Adesanya
Ashay Mervyn (formerly known as Ashiedu Abili)
Angel Odumodu
Emmanuel Wisdom Okoh
Chinedu Alexander Uwaezuok
164. Kehinde Emmanuel Adeyanju
165. Dennis Asega Aliga
166. Yahaya Adoza Bello
The EFCC is prosecuting Bello alongside his nephew Ali Bello and two others on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion. Bello was added to the wanted list after he refused to honour EFCC’s invitations. The former Kogi State Governor remains at large while his fraud case is heard in the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
The Speaker House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has stated that despite the 205 colleges of education which included federal, state, and privately owned is insufficient to address the country’s educational needs.
Speaking at a public hearing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Speaker emphasised that the rising demand for education in Nigeria makes it necessary to establish more colleges of education.
The Speaker who noted that human capital is the foundation of any society’s development, explained that while material resources are valuable, they remain untapped unless harnessed through human knowledge, skills, and innovation to drive national progress, social mobility, and economic growth.
He further stressed that education was central to human capital development, and a key way to sustain the education system was by continuously producing well-trained and highly skilled teachers for primary and secondary schools.
“To achieve this, we must strengthen teacher education in Nigeria by expanding access to quality institutions that will equip the next generation of educators,” he said.
Speaker Abbas added that the bills under review demonstrate the lawmakers’ collective commitment to ensuring that all regions of the country have fair access to quality teacher education.
According to Abbas, public hearings are a crucial part of the legislative process, giving opportunity for stakeholders to refine proposed bills, and that the discussions would help lawmakers better understand the education sector’s needs and expectations.
He reiterated the commitment of the House to inclusive governance and values stakeholder engagement, and encouraged policymakers, education experts, community leaders, and the public to actively participate by offering insights that could shape policies to strengthen Nigeria’s education system.
Chairman of the House Committee on Colleges of Education, Rep. Adamu Tanko, reaffirmed that education remains the foundation of national development, and assured that the House was committed to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to quality teacher education.
Tanko further highlighted that establishing new federal colleges of education is key to addressing gaps in teacher training, improving the education sector, and building a skilled workforce to drive national development.
He noted that the public hearing provides a platform for policymakers, education experts, and community leaders to engage in meaningful discussions.
House Leader and sponsor of ten related bills, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, expressed concern over the shortage of qualified teachers in many schools across the country. He stressed the urgency of establishing more teacher training institutions to meet the demand for skilled educators.
Rep. Anamero Dekeri, who is sponsoring a bill to establish the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Ogute-Oke, Okpella, highlighted the importance of technical education in driving national development. Representing Etsako Federal Constituency in Edo State, he stated that the proposed institution would harness the area’s potential and contribute to workforce development.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Disability Matters, Rep. Bashiru Dawodu, has called for tax exemption for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), insisting they should not be required to pay taxes.
Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by PWDs in Abuja, Rep. Dawodu also urged the government to grant tax relief to companies employing PWDs and those manufacturing facilities for their use.
The Chairman who acknowledged the need for tax reforms identified loopholes in existing bills, and stated that the committee would push for tax credits and waivers for companies producing equipment for PWDs.
Dawodu also advocated scholarships for teachers involved in special education and the establishment of a disability trust fund to protect the interests of PWDs.
He expressed concern over the poor implementation of the 2018 Disability Act, which has a five-year moratorium, stating that both government agencies and the private sector have not diligently enforced its provisions. He revealed that the House was working on amendments to impose stricter penalties for non-compliance.
The lawmaker highlighted some key provisions of the Act, including accessibility to public buildings, transport terminals, education, and healthcare facilities. He noted that despite the creation of the Disability Commission, only 22 states have domesticated the Act, urging others to follow suit.
Dawodu criticized the inadequate budget allocation of about N2 billion to the Disability Commission, describing it as a sign of the government’s neglect of PWDs. He stressed the need for collaboration with NGOs and other organizations, noting that with over 35 million Nigerians living with disabilities, the country must do more.
Director of the PWD’s Potential Unhinged Project, Valentine Ugochukwu Zion, stated that the MoU includes a nationwide medical access support initiative for PWDs in underserved areas. He added that it also covers talent discovery, a reality TV show showcasing the resilience of PWDs, and an inclusive musical concert.
News
Transporter Frowns At PTD Strike, Says Union Will Force Govt To Use Rail As Mobility Alternative In Lifting Petroleum Products
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A prominent transporter in Oyo State and convener of a pressure group, “Know Your Right”, Kehinde Adebeshin a.k.a “Baba Ibeji” has cautioned the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and its Branch, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) not to force the government of Nigeria to see the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as a preferred mobility alternative across the country for lifting Petroleum products.
This surprise call came in the wake of industrial action by the PTD in Lagos State to protest the “persistent harassment” of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers attached to the Task Force and LASTMA officials in Lagos State.
Although the strike has been called off by the Union’s leadership on Wednesday, February 25, 2025; however Adebeshin decried the ripple effects of the hardship the action of PTD had caused Nigerians since Saturday, February 22, 2024, he described the Union’s decision as an act of economic sabotage. He maintained that it was unfortunate and regrettable that the union flagrantly failed to comply with the existing Lagos e-call-up enforcement which was aimed at regulating truck activities and for maintaining orderliness in the already congested metropolis.
Adebeshin blamed PTD and its parent body, NUPENG’s overzealousness and highhandedness on leadership gap, incompetence, lack of tact and administrative indiscretion. He also expressed disappointment on the implications of the strike on Telecom operators who also raised an alarm over an impending service disruption within Lagos and Ogun states, as diesel supply to their service locations were blocked for three consecutive days when the strike was on.
Adebeshin’s statement on Tuesday reads in parts:
“For lack of tact, competence, administrative discretion, and leadership gaps in operations, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and its Branch, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) have openly given opportunity for the government of Nigeria to see the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as a preferred mobility alternative across the country for lifting Petroleum products and put a total stop to transportation of products through the road.
“The Union must be able to properly measure situations critically before down tooling, unfortunately, NUPENG and PTD have created room for business owners and Nigerians as a whole to label them economic saboteurs who stand the risk of being invited by the DSS. The Union brazenly failed to do its background check whether trucks arrested by Lagos State Task Force and LASTMA officials have not flaunted the existing Lagos e-call-up regulations which was designed to regulate truck activities and for maintaining orderliness in the already congested metropolis. Standing as an encumbrance to the government’s well intentioned program and policy is an affront which should never be tolerated.
“The circular by the Lagos State government to all stakeholders to streamline and regulate truck activities along Lekki-Epe axis of the state, effective March 1, 2025 did not exempt NUPENG or PTD, therefore all violators would be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“NUPENG should note that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has already collaborated with APM Terminals (APMT) to kick start container traffic service on the standard gauge railway, connecting Lagos to the Moniya Freight Yard in Ibadan. This milestone can be replicated in the downstream sector of the Petroleum industry to enhance Petroleum products lifting and distribution activities, and providing a more efficient and convenient mode of transportation and ultimately help to reduce or put into a total halt, petrol tanker accidents which have claimed many lives and destroyed properties.
“It is good news to hear that NUPENG had eventually swallowed its pride by calling off the 3-day strike, they should engage more in peaceful dialogue with the government of Lagos State in the larger interest of Nigeria so as to foster symbiotic industrial harmony and prosperity. The Union should also try to fix the PTD leadership crisis in the nick of time and give room for people with vision, experience and positive direction to take charge of the PTD Branch and restore its old glory and dignity,” he said.
Reps Push for More Colleges Of Education to Strengthen Nigeria’s Education Sector
Reps Advocate Tax Exemption, Better Support for Persons With Disabilities
Transporter Frowns At PTD Strike, Says Union Will Force Govt To Use Rail As Mobility Alternative In Lifting Petroleum Products
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