Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has revealed that most surrendered insurgents from Boko were found with hard currencies.

General Musa expressed concern that Nigeria lacks the jurisdiction to trace and track the origin of these funds.

He suggested that these funds are part of the broader pool used by terrorists over the past fifteen years to finance training and purchase weapons.

During a recent interview with Aljazeera, CDS Musa called on the United Nations (UN) to investigate the source of such funds, highlighting that it is evident the insurgents are receiving international support to sustain their activities for nearly two decades.

General Musa emphasized that only the UN has the authority to trace and track the funding used by Boko Haram and other insurgents to acquire equipment and logistics over the years.

We have engaged with international communities, urging them to investigate the funding. Currently, we have over 120,000 surrendered individuals. Most of them, when captured, possess hard currency. Where did they get it? How are they funded? How are they trained? How do they acquire the equipment?” Musa stated.

He further raised concerns about an international conspiracy potentially supporting the insurgency in Nigeria, questioning how they have been able to sustain their operations for fifteen years.

General Musa disclosed that the military is closing in on notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, who is currently operating underground as a result of ongoing military efforts.

The Force Intelligence Department (FID) of the Nigerian Police has released Alex Enenche, the younger brother of Pastor Paul Enenche, and Abraham Daniel, a former pastor at Dunamis Church, on bail.

The two individuals were detained on January 7, 2025, but were granted release the following day after an agreement to resolve the matter amicably.

Both Alex Enenche and Abraham Daniel were instructed to return to the Force Intelligence Department on January 10 and 13, 2025, respectively, to continue their involvement in the ongoing investigation.

Their detention came after they responded to a police invitation in connection with allegations of cyberbullying and criminal defamation against Pastor Paul Enenche, the founder and Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja.

The accusations stemmed from Pastor Daniel’s public claim that Pastor Paul Enenche had breached a prior agreement between them.

Barrister Ernest Okpaga, the legal representative for the two men, explained that his clients were detained after fully cooperating with the police.

He noted that the two arrived at the FID office at 1 pm on January 7, only to be questioned after several hours of waiting, and subsequently detained around 8 pm without a clear explanation.

Earlier, concerns had been raised by the families of Pastor Daniel and Alex Enenche, who were left uncertain about their loved ones’ whereabouts after responding to the police invitation. However, sources later confirmed that both individuals were still in police custody, leading to further family worries.

The invitation letters, issued by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), requested their attendance for questioning on January 7, 2025, at the FID office in Abuja.

The letters outlined the investigation into charges including cyberbullying, criminal defamation, false publication, and inciting public nuisance, and stated that they were free to bring an attorney along.

Despite their release, the investigation continues, with the two individuals expected to return for further questioning in the coming days.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order freezing and forfeiting over ₦228.4 million, allegedly linked to former Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, to the Federal Government.

The funds are reportedly connected to a money laundering investigation conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order in response to an ex-parte motion filed by EFCC counsel, Fadila Yusuf. The court also directed the EFCC to publicize the order on its official website and in the Daily Trust newspaper, inviting interested parties to present their case within 14 days of publication.

The motion, filed under Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, seeks to freeze funds totaling ₦228,497,773.12 held in an account at Keystone Bank. The funds are alleged to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Yusuf stated in her arguments that the money was found in the possession of Effdee Nigeria Ltd, a company suspected of conspiring with Senator Theodore Orji, officials of his administration, and family members to defraud the Abia State Government through conspiracy, abuse of office, money laundering, and diversion of public funds.

The EFCC began investigating Orji and his associates in 2016 following intelligence reports. According to Tahir Ahmed, an EFCC litigation officer, Effdee Nigeria Ltd, a sewage and waste disposal company, was allegedly used to launder government funds during Orji’s tenure as governor.

Ahmed revealed that the funds were funneled through Keystone Bank accounts with the assistance of the bank’s divisional head in Umuahia, Austin Akuma. Akuma reportedly collaborated with Erondu Uchenna Erondu, a Special Adviser in Orji’s administration, to distribute the diverted funds to various accounts and withdraw cash, which was then delivered to the Government House.

The EFCC’s analysis of Effdee Nigeria Ltd’s account revealed significant inflows from Abia State Government agencies, leaving a balance of ₦228,497,773.12. The commission argued that freezing the funds was necessary to prevent their dissipation while investigations continue.

Justice Nwite, after reviewing the EFCC’s submission, deemed the application meritorious and granted the interim order. The court adjourned the matter to February 3, 2025, for a compliance report.

This ruling underscores the government’s commitment to tackling corruption and recovering misappropriated funds. However, it also raises questions about the systemic abuse of office and the mechanisms enabling such diversions of public resources. The next steps will involve determining whether the frozen funds are indeed proceeds of illicit activities and ensuring justice is served.