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Efcc Quizzes NIA Director, As Buhari Jets Out For Another Medical Vacation
NationalTrail Can authoritatively report that. the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has invited some officials of the National Intelligence Agency for questioning, over the alleged involvem,ent of their embattled director general in the controversy surrounding the cash found in an apartment in Lagos.
Our correspondent reports that, those invited include a director (name withheld) as well as two accountants, through whose hands money belonging to the NIA passes. There has been no official statement on this latest development, but it is believed their interrogation may not be unconnected with the ongoing probe into the Ikoyi billions.
It will be recalled that the EFCC uncovered $43m cash as well as money in other currency at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi recently. The Director General of NIA, Ayo Oke said the money belongs to his agency.
The DG was subsequently suspended along with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, who was alleged to have wrongfully awarded contract s under the Presidential initiative on the North East.
Consequently, a three-man probe panel led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was set up and has concluded its work last week, but the report which was supposed to have been submitted to the President this week may have to wait until President Muhammadu Buhari’s return from yet another medical vacation to London.
It was not immediately clear how President Muhammadu Buhari’s trip will affect the submission of Osinbajo’s report, but if the remarks credited to Buhari’s media aide is anything to go by, Osinbajo will continue to run affairs in the president’s absence, and may not submit the report to himself as acting President..
National Trail learnt on Monday when the report was supposed to have been submitted that, even as the panel was working on its mandate, EFCC continued with its probe into the cash haul by inviting the NIA officials for questioning especially about the agency’s finances.
Findings at the EFCC could not confirm if the NIA officials were detained, contrary to claims by our sources earlier, which confirmed that the officials were invited but they were in fact released early last week.The source said: “Early last week, a director and two accountants were invited by the EFCC but released unconditionally.”
When contacted for clarification, an official of the EFCC denied knowledge , saying, he was “not aware of any NIA officials” being quizzed.
Experts have continued to debate over the propriety or inappropriateness of the disclosures of NIA funds. Those kicking against full disclosure are being accused of trying to “deodorize the scam.” A source insisting on full disclosures argued for instance that “The most decorated and celebrated General in recent US history General David Petreaus as CIA Chief was disgraced from office. General Flynn is even a recent example. Investigation has opened on his relationship with the Russians because he refused to make full disclosure.”
Other officials at NIA argued that it was inappropriate to treat funds allocated for intelligence the same manner you as you handle normal programmes as there are always cover stories for security projects. But the most profound argument for caution on revelations on NIA expenditure was made by Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, a former minister of external affairs.
According Akinyemi, “External Intelligence operations do not belong into the same security genre as domestic security forces such as the SSS, EFCC and the Police.
“External Intelligence officers, otherwise called spies, do not operate under the same operational penalties as domestic intelligence officers.
“The ultimate penalty for a foreign spy in most countries is death. Countries go to incredible lengths to hide the identities of their agents both domestic and foreign and their operations. No receipts get issued. Budgets are called black budgets because they are never publicly acknowledged.”
How much of Akinyemi’s advice the federal government will take remains to be seen as the EFCC has dragged the cash haul to court seeking total forfeiture of the money uncovered.
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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