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N3.1bn Graft: How I lied to court – EFCC Witness
Fourth prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the trial of former Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, Abubakar Umar, has informed an Abuja Federal High Court that his earlier evidence for the anti-graft agency before the court were lies he told in other to get relief from pressure put on him by unknown persons.
At the resumed trial of Senator Suswam and his then Commissioner for Finance, Omadachi Okolobia on January 31, 2020, February 3, 2020, February 4, 2020, February 5, 2020, and February 12, 2020, Umar, among other things, admitted to the court that he gave contradictory evidence against the defendants.
Recall that on May 5, 2016, Mr Umar in his evidence before Justice A. R. Mohammed of the same court stated that sometime in the year 2014, he delivered the dollar equivalent of the sum of N3.1 billion in cash to officials of the Benue State Government at the Government House in Benue, and he that was not aware if the said sum was handed to Suswam.
The prosecution therefore brought an application before the court on January 31, 2018, to declare Mr. Umar a hostile witness because his evidence before the court amounted to “a summersault,” arguing that the witness had earlier informed the EFCC that he delivered the money in question to Senator Suswam personally at his Maitama residence in Abuja.
After the Justice Mohammed declared Umar a hostile witness, the EFCC witness informed the court on January 31, 2018, that his understanding of Government House was wherever the governor lives and therefore, Senator Suswam’s Abuja private residence was a Government House.
However, following a transfer of the case file from Justice Mohammed to Justice Okon Abang of the same court, Mr. Umar was again called as a prosecution witness but this time, not declared a hostile witness.
On January 4, 2020, Umar under cross-examination by counsel to Suswam, Chinelo Ogbozor, admitted that his evidence before Justice Mohammed was a lie, and insisted that he did not receive money from anybody to lie to the court.
When asked by if he knows the persons who influenced or pressurised him to lie or their phone numbers, the witness answered in the negative.
Again, the witness was asked by Ogbozor if the EFCC or the police investigated his telephone records to identify the callers whom he claimed put him to his lie, the witness answered in the negative.
Further under cross-examination by Ogbozor, Mr. Umar, who had stated in his evidence-in-chief that he converted the vexed sum from naira to dollars within two to three days and handed same to Suswam, recanted and stated that it took him four days to convert the money from naira to dollars.
Umar further recanted from his earlier evidence before Justice Mohammed where he stated that the Government House was wherever the governor lives, stating instead that he said he took the money to the Government House without more.
When Ogbozor asked the witness if he was under administrative bail by the EFCC, Umar answered in the affirmative, stating also that he was granted bail by the anti-graft commission after he recanted his testimony before Justice Mohammed.
He concluded his first cross-examination by admitting that he had told the Court 3 contradicting versions of how he delivered money to Suswam.
At the resumed trial held February 12, 2020, Umar under further cross-examination by Mr. Paul Erokoro (SAN), counsel to the second defendant, admitted that he was not a licensed Bureau De Change, BDC, operator, having not obtained a BDC licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria. He informed the court that though he confessed to operating an illegal BDC business to the EFCC, the commission was yet to charge him to court, instead the EFCC granted him bail after he made statements in its detention and under word of caution.
Mr. Umar further admitted that his evidence before Justice Mohammed was a lie.
When Erokoro (SAN) confronted the witness with his earlier evidence where he stated that he converted the money and took it to the residence of the first defendant in Kubwa, the witness stated that he did not mention that he took the money to Kubwa but to Suswam’s house in Maitama, Abuja.
However, when Erokoro (SAN) asked Umar if the contents of the proceedings before Justice Mohammed was a lie against him, he answered in the negative.
When he was again asked if the EFCC prosecutor was wrong when he made the application before Justice Mohammed to declare him a hostile witness because he was being untruthful, Umar answered in the negative, but insisted that he lied on oath because some faceless persons from the first defendant put him under pressure.
The trial has been adjourned to February 25 and 26, 2020, and March 24 and 26, 2020, for continuation of trial.
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Hamma Ali Kumo Commiserates with APC National Secretary Over Mother’s Demise
The Deputy National Financial Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Hamma Ali Kumo, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the National Secretary of the party and his family following the passing of his beloved mother, describing the loss as deeply painful and a moment of great sorrow for both the family and the APC.
In a condolence message, Hon. Kumo said the death of a mother is one of life’s greatest tragedies, noting that while death is an inevitable part of human existence, the departure of a loving and caring mother leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of her children and loved ones.
He described the late matriarch as a virtuous woman whose life was marked by humility, compassion, sacrifice and unwavering devotion to her family and faith, adding that her moral values and guidance were instrumental in shaping the exemplary character and leadership qualities of the APC National Secretary.
According to him, the deceased lived a fulfilled life dedicated to nurturing her family, serving humanity and upholding the principles of righteousness, leaving behind a legacy that would continue to inspire future generations.
Hon. Kumo urged the National Secretary and the entire bereaved family to remain steadfast in their faith and find comfort in the knowledge that Allah gives life and takes it at His appointed time.
He prayed that Almighty Allah, in His infinite mercy, forgives all the shortcomings of the deceased, accepts her good deeds, grants her peace and comfort in the grave, expands and illuminates her resting place, and admits her into Al-Jannatul Firdaus.
The APC chieftain also prayed for Allah to grant the bereaved family the strength, patience and fortitude to bear the painful loss.
“On behalf of my family and supporters, I sincerely sympathise with our National Secretary and the entire bereaved family during this difficult period. May Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive our dear mother’s sins, shower His endless mercy upon her, grant her the highest place in Al-Jannatul Firdaus, and bless the family with Sabr Jameel to endure this painful loss. Ameen,” Hon. Kumo said.
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DSS Moves Against Agbo, over Alleged impersonation as Benue PDP Guber candidate

The operatives of the Department of State Security Services, DSS has laid a manhunt on embattled former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Benue State, over Alleged impersonation.
A highly placed Security source on Thursday, confirmed to our correspondent that the service is currently looking for Dr. Emmanuel Agbo for impersonating himself as the Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Benue state.
The source said that Dr. Agbo, must be interrogated to enable the service have an idea were his candidature was decided as well as venue it took place.
He further added that from preliminary findings Agbo, is playing a role of a ” useful idiot ” been sponsored by political bigwigs in the state that must be unravel by the service.
He queried that all the primary election that took place across the 36 states of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory was monitored by the DSS and reports were filed including that of Benue State which officially in the PDP, the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN emerged.
Already, a political pressure group has petitioed, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo who they Alleged he is now parading a “fake” Certificate of Return as the party’s candidate is just an “impostor” who didn’t participate in the party’s primaries in May, 2026.
“The Certificate of Return which the disbanded Turaki-led Interim National Executive Council presented to Dr. Agbo yesterday is fake and will not be recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission during the uploading of party candidates on their portal” the group noted.
The group however challenged Agbo to present evidence that he partook in the said primaries, and also make available proofs that representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, officials of the party from Abuja as well as representatives of Nigeria’s security agencies were present in his own selection process if there is any.
The group stated further that there are proofs that Dr. Emmanuel Agbo is being sponsored by some “disgruntled” elements to ruin the chances of the People’s Democratic Party in the forthcoming governorship election in Benue state.
The statement reads in parts:”Emmanuel Agbo has been warned to desist from this act of impersonation before it’s too late, and if he fails to stop this act, we shall drag him before a competent court to face criminal charges.
“That he is being sponsored to ruin the chances of the party is no longer a secret but, we will make sure that we stop him and his co-travellers who are hell bent on destroying the party”
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EUYI Alleges Secret Recruitment, Job Racketeering in JAMB Ahead of Oloyede’s Exit
The Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI) has raised concerns over an alleged recruitment exercise conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), claiming that more than 100 employment letters were issued in June 2026, barely six weeks before the expiration of the tenure of JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince, and Secretary, Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta, the group described the alleged recruitment exercise as secretive and called on relevant government agencies to investigate the matter.
According to EUYI, the recruitment process was allegedly carried out without public advertisement and may have violated established procedures governing employment into federal public institutions.
The organisation argued that the timing of the recruitment raises questions, particularly following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of Professor Segun Aina as the incoming Registrar of JAMB, effective July 30, 2026.
“There is no apparent urgency that would justify a major recruitment exercise by an administration that has only a few weeks remaining in office,” the statement said.
EUYI further alleged that previous recruitment exercises conducted during Professor Oloyede’s tenure had attracted public controversy and scrutiny from the National Assembly, although the JAMB management had maintained that it obtained the necessary approvals from the Federal Character Commission (FCC).
The group contended that if the latest allegations are confirmed, the exercise could amount to violations of constitutional and statutory provisions governing public sector recruitment. It cited Section 14(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and relevant provisions of the Federal Character Commission Establishment Act, which emphasize equitable representation, transparency, and compliance with federal character principles in public service appointments.
The advocacy group also called on the Federal Character Commission to clarify whether it approved the alleged recruitment exercise and, if so, whether all legal requirements were met before employment letters were issued.
In addition, EUYI urged anti-corruption agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to investigate possible cases of nepotism, abuse of office, or other irregularities should evidence emerge to support such claims.
The organization stated that illegal recruitment practices and job racketeering have contributed significantly to the frustrations of millions of unemployed Nigerians, arguing that employment opportunities in public institutions should be transparent, merit-based, and accessible to all qualified citizens.
EUYI gave JAMB a three-day ultimatum to respond to the allegations and provide clarification regarding the reported recruitment exercise.
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