News
Court dismisses N5bn suit by Chinese fraud suspects against EFCC
By Francesca Hangeior.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a N5 billion suit brought by 110 alleged internet fraudsters against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for lack of merit.
The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, dismissed the suit because the applicants failed to prove they had been unlawfully detained after taking arguments from both parties.
In an originating motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/80/2025, the applicants sued the EFCC and its Executive Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede.
The applicants are Zhang Xiaowen, Liu Zhiwei, Chen Yeqiu, Lan Shunbin, Abubakar Hassan, Igwe Ozioma, Gabriel Shimlumun, Abdulmuminu Usman, Olamide Olatoye, Jeremiah Abele, Asule James, Bitrus Joseph, Odeh Abel, Jathan Jayock, Jackson Samson, Isiaq Olanrewaju, Adejor Isah, Salihu Suleiman, Joseph Ojoma, Tanko Isah, Omoyele Ebenezer, Olisakwe Chieme, Ohikwo Fatima Musa, Faith Agada, Opara Cynthia, Blessing Thomas and Rachel Habila.
The group, which includes four Chinese nationals, was arrested inside a building in the Katampe District of Abuja on January 9.
According to the EFCC, the arrests followed intelligence reports suggesting the individuals were involved in fraudulent activities, including internet scams.
The agency further alleged that the Chinese nationals had recruited Nigerians to participate in a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme.
The EFCC stated that while the suspects coordinated their operations from Nigeria, they used virtual private networks (VPNs) to defraud victims in the United Kingdom, posing as hoteliers.
Following their arrest, the applicants hired a legal team led by Ishaka Dikko (SAN) to enforce their fundamental human rights.
The applicants accused the EFCC of violating their rights to dignity, personal liberty, and fair hearing, as enshrined in Sections 34, 35, 36, 43, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
They asked the court to declare that their detention from January 9 to 16 exceeded the constitutionally prescribed period and was therefore illegal and unlawful.
They sought ₦5 billion in damages.
The applicants also requested the court to declare that the seizure of their international passports—numbers E55480652, EL6128848, E91567245, and E99903655—during their detention was unlawful and contrary to Sections 36, 43, and 44 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Their lawyer argued that evidence before the court showed the EFCC obtained a remand order on January 10 and renewed it on January 24, after the initial order expired.
Responding, Justice Omotosho held that the remand orders were legally permissible, given the allegations that the applicants’ actions posed a threat to national security.
The judge also noted that the EFCC’s decision to grant administrative bail demonstrated it had no intention of detaining the applicants indefinitely.
He stated that the commission could not be held liable for the applicants’ failure to meet the bail conditions.
Justice Omotosho subsequently dismissed the fundamental rights enforcement suit and urged the applicants to respond to the allegations against them, which were deemed a threat to national security.
By Francesca Hangeior
President Bola Tinubu has stated that the Federal Government is taking concrete steps to protect the dignity and future of every Nigerian child, even as he said plans have been concluded to establish a Child Protection and Development Agency to coordinate all issues affecting Nigerian children in a unified and focused manner.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday during the first regional meeting of the Africa Pathfinder Countries of the Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children.
The event was held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The president was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Tinubu said his administration is taking concrete steps to protect the dignity and future of every Nigerian child.
“Our legal frameworks reflect our conviction. From the Child Rights Act to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, Nigeria has laid down the statutory foundation for the protection of children.
“But legislation alone does not shield the vulnerable — it is the will behind those laws, and the systems that enforce them, that make the difference.
“That is why our national strategy also embraces prevention and early intervention.
“We are strengthening families and communities through programmes that promote positive parenting, challenge harmful social norms, and provide targeted support to vulnerable households. But we must be honest with ourselves. We cannot protect the child by merely reciting the anthems of their struggles or romanticising their vulnerability, Tinubu said.
He stated that the real hope lies in action — concrete, deliberate action.
“Our commitment must run deep, reaching into the very architecture of our education and health systems. This is the soul of our human capital development strategy,” he said.
Tinubu added that every Nigerian child should grow and learn in a safe environment.
“We aim to ensure that every Nigerian child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. This is not simply a policy objective; it is a moral obligation.
“We are investing in safe schools and embedding socio-emotional learning into our national curriculum.
“We are rolling out the National Guidelines on Alternative Care to ensure that even children without parental care are raised in love, safety, and stability,” he said.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, on Friday announced the release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, results.
The board disclosed that it is withholding the results of 39,834 candidates over issues relating to examination irregularities.
Recall that over 1.9 million applicants participated in the just-concluded exercise.
JAMB also disclosed that 80 suspects across the country are currently under interrogation for examination fraud, with Anambra State leading the pack with 14 suspects.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stated this on Friday while officially releasing the 2025 UTME.
He also disclosed that while 467 underage candidates met the prescribed minimum score, 50 were engaged in cheating scandal.
A press conference to this effect is ongoing.
Details coming…
The Oloba of Oba-Ile in Akure North Council Area of Ondo State, Oba Joseph Oluwadare Agunbiade, Otutubiosun 1
has joined his ancestors.
Oba Agunbiade who passed on Friday morning reigned for 39 years .
He was aged 84 years.
Sources told newsmen that traditional announcement of the monarch’s demise is however being awaited.
Details shortly…
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