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N4bn fraud: EFCC calls two witnesses to testify against Obiano

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Tuesday, opened its case at the Federal High Court Abuja in the money-laundering suit brought against the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano.
The anti-graft agency presented a total of two witnesses in today’s trial.
A bank manager, Mr Tochukwu Nnadi, who entered the witness box as the first prosecution witness, PW-1, told the court that sometime in April 2022, the EFCC invited him and told him it was in respect of an ongoing investigation.
He was the manager of the branch and handled most of the financial activities of the past state government.
Nnadi told the court that he was a bank manager at Awka, the capital of Anambra State, where he managed customers’ accounts and interfaced with various security and anti-graft agencies in terms of inquiry on a customer’s account.
He also disclosed that he knows the defendant, the immediate past governor of Anambra State.
He explained that the state government maintains various accounts with the bank he works for, and one such account was for security votes.
He claimed the security vote account was just like every other account that they managed for the state government, and there was really nothing special about it.
He said, “The account was mostly funded by the office of the Accountant General of the state and bulk of the funds came from Internally Generated Revenue, of the state”.
He added that payments into the account were made on a weekly basis, and all transactions out of the account were always based on the advice of the account operators.
“The payments we made out of the account were to various entities and corporate organisations,” he said.
He claimed documents containing the names of all the beneficiaries had already been submitted to the EFCC.
However, he refused to mention the names of the beneficiaries in the open court, when he was asked to by prosecution counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, SAN.
He said it would amount to a breach of his oath of secrecy.
He said the accounts were funded every week and cash withdrawals, Manager’s cheques, transfers and drafts were instruments that were used to remove the funds, based on instructions from the operators of the accounts.
He added that “Some of the documents he submitted to the EFCC included the certified true copy of the statements of account, cover letter for the statements of account, packages used to open the account, as well as certificates of identification for each of the accounts.
The court admitted in evidence 794 pages of documents from the bank, which was tendered as Exhibit PW-1 (A1- A 794).
Also, another set of documents dated June 1, 2023, showing the debits that were made from the accounts, were also admitted in evidence.
After Nnadi, EFCC presented another witness, PW-2, an Onitsha-based businesswoman, Mrs Chinwe Egbunam, who informed the court that she is a trader specialising in Turkish wear.
She told the court that on May 20, she received a call that she was needed at the EFCC office over some money that had passed through the account of her company, C.I. Party Ventures Nigeria Limited.
She explained that when she arrived at the anti-graft agency office, she told them that she didn’t know anything about the money.
She said her account officer, Mr Ugochukwu Otibelu, only helped her to upgrade her account to enable her to meet the requirements of the embassy of Turkey, based on her request to him.
“It was to upgrade the account to enable me to be able to travel and the upgrade was for him to help me and post money into my account.
“My account officer accepted my request and collected my company account and cheque.
“However, at the EFCC, I was told that about N156. 8 million passed through my account from the Anambra State Government.”
She, however, said she did not touch the money that was paid into the account as it did not belong to her.
She also claimed that the directors of the company account were her family members.
She added that she does not know the governor personally.
“Outside the fact that the defendant was the governor of Anambra State, I never had any dealings with him.”
She was also asked by the prosecution to tell the court what the security situation in Anambra was like when Obiano was governor.
She said “I currently stay in Anambra. There is usually no movement in the state every Monday because of a sit-at-home order. ESN and IPOB operate fully in Anambra state.
“During the tenure of the defendant, there was serious insecurity in Anambra State, and I know that the government worked with organisations and churches to maintain peace in the state.
“This was because churches, organisations and even mosques were under threat during that period,” she said.
The defence lawyer, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, said they would reserve objections to the exhibits and raise them at their final address.
Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned further hearing until Wednesday, June 25.
Obiano was the governor of Anambra State from March 2014 to March 2022.
He is facing a nine-count charge brought against him by EFCC.
Obiano is accused of defrauding the state to the tune of N4 billion from the state treasury account.
The monies were said to have been stolen from Anambra State’s Security Vote Account, which was converted into dollars and given to the defendant in cash.
News
Gov Oborevwori’s top aide suddenly resigns from govt

In a shocking political move, Harrison Gwamnishu, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Delta State Governor on Civil Society and Youth Mobilization, has tendered his resignation, citing deep dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of escalating insecurity across communities in the state. Gwamnishu submitted his resignation letter on Friday, April 25, 2025, addressed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Executive Governor of Delta State. He emphasized that his decision followed “considerable reflection” and was driven by a “deep sense of disappointment” over the administration’s failure to act on security concerns he consistently raised.
In his letter, Gwamnishu detailed his efforts to draw the government’s attention to the worsening security situation, including numerous messages, calls, and submission of blueprint documents proposing actionable solutions.
However, he lamented that all attempts were “thrown out,” and meaningful solutions were “not being accepted” by the administration.
“As a civil rights leader, I accepted this appointment as a commitment to serve and protect our community,” Gwamnishu wrote. “However, the continuous escalation of insecurity and the persistent lack of action to provide effective resolutions have rendered me unable to fulfil my duties with the integrity and effectiveness that I believe are essential.” He further stated that his resignation is intended to serve as a wake-up call to the administration, urging it to prioritize the safety and security of Delta State citizens.
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Just in: Senator Natasha tenders satirical ‘apology’ to Akpabio

In a move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has penned a biting, satirical letter of “apology” to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, laced with sarcasm and veiled criticism. The letter, which surfaced on social media on Sunday evening. The post read:
From the Desk of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan
Dear Distinguished Senate President Godswill Akpabio,
It is with the deepest sarcasm and utmost theatrical regret that I tender this apology for the grievous crime of possessing dignity and self-respect in your most exalted presence. I have reflected extensively on my unforgivable failure to recognize that legislative success in certain quarters is apparently not earned through merit, but through the ancient art of compliance — of the very personal kind.
How remiss of me not to understand that my refusal to indulge your… “requests” was not merely a personal choice, but a constitutional violation of the unwritten laws of certain men’s entitlement. Truly, I must apologize for prioritizing competence over capitulation, vision over vanity, and the people’s mandate over private dinners behind closed doors.
I now realize the catastrophic consequences of my actions: legislation delayed, tempers flared, and the tragic bruising of egos so large they require their own postcodes. For this disruption to the natural order of “quid pro quo,” I bow my head in fictional shame.
Please find it in your magnanimous heart — somewhere buried deep beneath layers of entitlement — to forgive this stubborn woman who mistakenly believed that her seat in the Senate was earned through elections, not erections.
I remain,
Yours in eternal resistance,
Senator Natasha H Akpoti Uduaghan
Unafraid, Unbought, and Unbroken
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FG warns against growing threat of cyber-slavery in West Africa

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday raised the alarm over the growing threat of cyber-slavery in West Africa, which is increasingly targeting vulnerable young Nigerians.
In a statement signed by Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the ministry, it was revealed that many young Nigerians, including underage teenagers, are being lured out of the country with false promises of lucrative job opportunities abroad, especially in crypto-related operations.
The warning comes after the recent rescue of about 231 Nigerians who were forced into cybercrime activities in Accra, Ghana.
The victims were rescued and are currently in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) in Accra.
The government said, “In reality, these individuals are trafficked into sophisticated scam operations and enslaved to work in criminal “call centres” — often referred to as “419 cyber-scam factories.” There, they are forced under coercive and inhumane conditions to send thousands of fraudulent emails, text messages, and calls aimed at defrauding victims worldwide.
“This incident highlights the severe exploitation and abuse associated with cybercrime operations. It also underscores the need for enhanced efforts to combat such multibillion-dollar criminal networks and mitigate the susceptibility of victims.”
The Ministry therefore warned Nigerians, especially the youths and parents, to exercise utmost caution when presented with job offers, particularly those promising easy money, overseas travel, or remote work involving cryptocurrencies.
“Nigerians are therefore advised to verify all employment offers through official channels and report suspicious cases to relevant authorities for necessary investigation and action to curtail the activities of the perpetrators.
“The Ministry wishes to assure the general public that, as a precautionary measure to address this unfortunate situation, the Federal Government is working closely with regional partners, law enforcement agencies, and international organizations to tackle this heinous crime, rescue victims, and bring perpetrators to justice.
“The Ministry remains committed to protecting Nigerian citizens at home and abroad and will continue to raise awareness about emerging threats to the welfare and dignity of our people,” Ebienfa further stated.
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