News
Lamorde’s Fate Hangs In Balance
Nigerians are still wondering whether erstwhile Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, is still in the Police Force or not, having gone under soon after he was removed and shortly after a probe of his tenure was muted.
While our correspondents report that contrary to earlier speculations that Lamorde fled the country, the man is still in Nigeria, though he has failed to report back to the Police from where he was seconded to the EFCC. This perhaps explains why the Police last week dribbled on our enquiries on Lamorde’s status in the Force, as Police spokesperson, declined comments on the issue when inquired by our correspondent.
nationalTRAIL reports that, Lamorde, until he was relieved of his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, late last year, was a serving Police Officer, on the pay roll of Nigeria Police Force, but since his removal from office, his status in the force remains a matter of conjecture, as he never reported back to duty, nor was he announced to have been retired, or dismissed.
It may be recalled that, the status of one of his predecessor, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was dogged with similar controversy, when he was removed as EFCC Chairman, and the issue generated a lot of public debate until his status was eventually clarified by the Police.
Nigerian Police Spokesperson, was not in a hurry to clarify Lamorde’s status until she gets explanations from higher authorities, which did not come until the time of going to press.
There are however, strong indications over the last two weeks that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has commenced a detailed investigation into some financial transactions during the tenure of the immediate past chairman of the commission.
The anti graft body which initially appeared reluctant to indict its own, may have set the machinery for the probe, even as Lamorde, who has stoutly defended fraud allegations during his tenure in the dying days of his chairmanship obviously did not wish to carry the cross that is now his lot.
In addition to the series of petitions which eventually led to his ouster, our correspondent gathered that, the commission has not been able to pay its staff ‘s allowances throughout the period Lamorde held sway as the Chairman of the agency: an action which earned him disdain amongst staff.
Sources within the commission confirmed this much, as according to it, the fear of the former Chairman made it impossible for them to even demand for their entitlements, saying, “it was a reign of terror, staff were blackmailed and allowances withheld without explanations from the office of the chairman”
nationalTRAIL reliably gathered that Lamorde, who was recently relieved of his appointment as the Chairman of EFCC may have come under investigation for an alleged abuse of office and which sordid details included the alleged diversion of money recovered by the commission before and during his tenure.
It could be recall that the Senate Committee had invited him to appear before the National Assembly , to explain his role in alleged missing funds in the Commission.
The fraud allegedly perpetuated by Lamorde was said to have dated back to his days as the Director of Operation in the commission: between 2003 and 2007, as well as acting Chairman of the commission between 2007 and May 2008, when the then Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was away for a course at National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies , NIPPS, Kuru Jos.
Goerge Uboh, The Chief Executive Officer of the Panic Alert Security System, a security firm in another petition dated July 31, 2015, specifically alleged that Lamorde was involved in under remittance, and non disclosure of proceeds of corruption recovered from criminal suspects, including Tafa Balogun, and late Diepriye Alamiesyehga.
nationalTRAIL learnt that Lamorde may also be investigated for offshore recoveries and mismanaging of some of the assets recovered by the Commission.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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