Crime
The Arrested Benue 53: Critical Reflections
By: Fabian Apechihin
For law-abiding Nigerians, there is some consolation in the announcement by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun that 53 individuals have been arrested in connection with acts of terrorism in Benue and Plateau States. Yet, this development raises more questions than it answers. It is telling—and troubling—that the Nigeria Police Force only sprang into action after President Bola Tinubu publicly demanded accountability during a visit to Benue, where over 200 people had been killed.
At Yelwata, the President pointedly asked the IGP, “Where are the arrests?” and insisted that “criminals must be arrested immediately.” Other security agencies were also indirectly rebuked and urged to enhance their intelligence-gathering and operational strategies to prevent future atrocities.
While Tinubu is the commander-in-chief, it is not his role to micromanage the police or military. He has broader responsibilities and should be able to rely on professionals to carry out their duties proactively. It is disheartening that law enforcement agencies, despite being constitutionally empowered and adequately resourced, waited for a presidential directive to act.
The Police Act clearly mandates the Force to prevent and detect crime, apprehend offenders, and maintain public order. That this mandate needed reinforcement from the President reveals an institutional failure. Still, now that some arrests have been made, Nigerians hope this isn’t just a performative gesture. The arrests must lead to thorough investigations and fair prosecutions—without scapegoating the innocent for the sake of optics.
Unfortunately, public confidence in the security apparatus is already worn thin. In January 2024, coordinated attacks in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State left over 150 dead—despite the presence of ‘Operation Safe Haven.’ No arrests were announced, perhaps because no high-level order demanded them.
Several past incidents feed into this scepticism:
- Lack of Political Will: Successive administrations have not decisively tackled terrorism. Statements condemning attacks are often vague or contradictory, and concrete action is rare.
- Unresolved Cases: After the June 2022 massacre of 40 worshippers at a Catholic church in Owo, the then Chief of Defence Staff claimed five suspects were arrested. But they were never presented to the public, and the case quietly faded from public discourse.
- Terror Financing: In March 2024, the federal government named 15 individuals as terrorism financiers. The law is clear on their prosecution, yet there’s been little public follow-up or accountability.
- Flawed Reintegration Programme: Rather than facing justice, many self-proclaimed repentant terrorists are admitted into the government’s ‘Operation Safe Corridor’ for rehabilitation. Over 800 such individuals have reportedly been processed, with some later reoffending or causing unrest in their communities, as lamented by 59 Borno district heads in April 2024.
- Complicity Within the System: Several leaders, including the Plateau and Borno State governors, have acknowledged the presence of informants and collaborators within the military, political circles, and even local communities. The current Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, also suspects insider collusion in the pattern of attacks. The Tor Tiv, James Ayatse, described the Benue killings as a “calculated, full-scale genocidal invasion,” and Pope Leo IV called it “a terrible massacre.”
- Failed Negotiations: States like Kaduna and Katsina previously attempted to negotiate and pay off terrorists, only to face betrayal. While Northwest governors now claim they’ll refuse further negotiations, fulfilling that commitment may prove difficult given persistent infiltration and internal sabotage.
Terrorists are not invisible. They move in convoys, seize military installations, and even occupy towns—all in plain sight. With the technology and intelligence available today, their whereabouts should not be a mystery.
According to civil society reports, over 2,400 people were killed and nearly 1,900 kidnapped in just the first eight months of the Tinubu administration. Adding the more recent killings in Plateau, Benue, and other regions, the death toll is now in the thousands.
Nigeria is facing a grave existential threat. Yet, there seems to be a disturbing complacency among those entrusted with the nation’s security. Given the strong promises in the ‘Renewed Hope’ manifesto, the Tinubu government must do more than offer rhetoric. It must act.
The perpetrators of the Yelwata massacre—and others across the country—must be swiftly and transparently prosecuted under the Terrorism (Prevention) Act. Anything less will only reinforce the pattern of impunity that has plagued the country for years. Real accountability will send a message to terrorists—and reassure Nigerians that the cycle of inaction ends here.
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Business
Nestoil: Lagos CP dragged to court for contempt, risks imprisonment
This is certainly not a good time for the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Moshood Jimoh as he has been dragged to court for commiting contempt by defying a clear court order that he and his men must not go near the business premises of Nestoil Group which belongs to Drawcok Estates LTD.
The fresh suit by Drawcok Estates LTD followed Monday’s deployment of over fifty armed police officers by Mr. Moshood Jimoh to seal off the business premises of Nestoil Group which belongs to Drawcok Estates LTD despite an order by Justice Ofili Ajumogobia.
Also, despite a directive by the federal government that police escorts be withdrawn from VIPs, Mr. Moshood Jimoh illegally allocated several police officers to be guarding Mr. Sulu Gambari, the self-acclaimed Receiver Manager which was appointed by a former judge that was handling the case, Justice Isaac Dipeolu.
Recall that Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi vacated all the orders made by Justice Isaac Deinde Dipeolu who wrongly appointed the Receiver Manager.
Meanwhile, dissatisfied with the action of the Lagos Police Commissioner, Drawcok Estates LTD yesterday filed a case of contempt against the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh Moshood (Contemnor) before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
In Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/2385/2025, the applicant wants Police Commissioner Moshood Jimoh to be found guilty of contempt of court and also be committed to prison unless he obeys the directives contained in Justice Ofili Ajumogobia’s Order of November 24, 2025.
Recall that Justice Ofili Ajumogobia had on November 24, 2025 ordered that the building in question belongs to Drawcok Estates LTD, adding that no police officer must be seen carrying out orders of the Lagos State Police Commissioner around the premises.
The Orders made by Justice Ofili Ajumogobia on November 24, 2025 in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2385/2025 were that:
The applicant has a right to own and possess her properties as mentioned in the addresses above as guaranteed by the 34 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights..
That the sealing-off and occupation of the applicant’s properties on the addresses mentioned above by the Respondents constitute an infringement on the right of the applicant to own property, as guaranteed by Sections 43 and 44 of the he Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
That the Respondents, whether by themselves , their agents, agencies and servants, acting for it through them or any other person(s) howsoever described or claiming through them, to vacate the applicant’s properties on the addresses mentioned above, and deliver possession over to the applicant forthwith.
That the Respondents, whether by themselves, their agents, agencies, and servants, acting for or through them or any other person(s) howsoever described or claiming through them, to provide security for the applicant to take back possession of her properties on the addresses mentioned above.
That the Respondents is restrain, whether by themselves, their agents, agencies and servants, acting for or through them or any other person(s) howsoever described or claiming through them, from harassing the applicant and refusing her access to her properties on the addresses mentioned above.
Nigerian Concord Newspapers reporters that visited the business premises yesterday reported that pollice officers have been denying workers of several companies access to their offices located within the Nestoil building in Lagos on the order of Moshood Jimoh, despite a subsisting court order directing that they be allowed into the premises.
The affected workers had resumed duties following a court order delivered by Hon. Justice Ofili Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Abuja on November 24, which directed that they be granted access to their offices.
Crime
Police Confirm Abduction of 25 Female Students in Kebbi School Attack
By: Fabian Apechihin
The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed that 25 female students were abducted and one person killed during an attack on Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson CSP Nafi’u Abubakar said the attack occurred around 4 a.m. on Monday when heavily armed bandits stormed the school, firing sporadically.
According to Abubakar, police tactical teams were deployed immediately after a distress call and engaged the attackers in a gun duel. By the time security operatives arrived, the bandits had already scaled the school fence and abducted 25 students from their hostel.
He confirmed that one person, identified as Hassan Makuku, was shot dead, while another victim, Ali Shehu, sustained a gunshot wound to his right hand.
Abubakar added that additional police units, soldiers, and vigilante groups have been deployed to track the bandits and rescue the abducted students. Security teams are currently combing nearby forests and possible escape routes.
He urged residents to remain calm, stay alert, and cooperate with security agencies as operations continue.
Crime
Justice Dipeolu, his Egregious Judicial Decision on Nestoil Case and fake allegation of $5m bribe for Justice Tsoho
Talking of judges that doexercise judicial impunity and rascality in Nigeria today, the name of Justice Isaac Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos State will always make the list as a result of his abuse of judicial power.
Finding by this newspaper indicated that Justice Isaac Deinde Dipeolu is a man with no integrity and also with shocking and remarkably bad judicial decision, often considered a serious error or abuse of power.
Two years ago, Justice Dipeolu was accused of gross judicial impunity while handling the forfeiture of assets case of former CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and he was compelled to excuse himself from the case immediately there were media reports that he had been financially induced.
Apart from that, Dipeolu is still facing media back lashes over his October 25, 2025 Order that Lotus Bank should take over the assets both movable and unmovable of Unpacked Limited , a firm.ownes by Feyikemi Abiodu and guaranteed by Oluwafeni Badewole.
The public outcries over that are that there were many technical errors in the ruling.
Over the time, Justice Dipeolu has made several wrongful convictions. In most of his rulings especially in criminal cases, the judge has made judicial decisions that have led to innocent persons being convicted even though they would later get fair hearings at higher courts.
Judges are allowed to use their discretion in few cases but for Justice Deinde Dipeolu, it’s an abuse of discretion. Some of his discretions are grossly unfair and unreasonable.
Apart from undermining justice, Justice Isaac Dipeolu’s egregious decisions have eroded trust in the Nigeria legal system, and because he isn’t checked by the authorities, his judicial rascality has damaged the country’s judiciary’s reputation. Also, his reputation has been badly harned as a result of his recklessness.
To get remedies from the bad decisions of Justice Dipeolu, many victims have had to appeal his judicial decisions at higher courts where most of his decisions had been reviewed and faulted by higher judges.
The latest judicial rascality of Justice Isaac Deinde Dipeolu is the granting of ex parte orders in the Nestoil case where he wrongly appointed a receiver/manager over Neconde’s interest in OML 42.
And according to judicial analysts, the judge’s decision was the height of judicial impunity because the Order was one-sided as it was granted without hearing the story of the person or persons against whom the order is made.
Analysts who have roundly condemned the inactions of Justice Dipeolu over the Order stated that he erred as he only had the power to grant such Orders in cases of exceptional urgency where the subject matter of the suit will likely be destroyed or dissipated irretrievably if the order was not made immediately.
Recall that the suit was brought based on the alleged default by Nestoil in the payment of loans granted by a group of banks to the company. Whereas, Nestoil and its promoters had provided various assets as collateral to secure the repayment of the Nestoil loans.
However, the Nestoil lenders appointed First Trustees to hold the collateral
on their behalf. The Nestoil lenders also reserved the power, acting through First Trustees, to appoint a receiver/manager to take over Nestoil and the Nestoil loan collateral if Nestoil defaulted in the repayment of the Nestoil loans.
Perhaps Justice Isaac Dipeolu has forgotten that under the Law, the Nestoil lenders exercised this power by appointing Mr. Abubakar Sulu-Gambari SAN as receiver/manager pursuant to a deed of appointment dated August 21, 2025.
It’s important to inform the public that prior to the recent events, the Nestoil lenders requested that Neconde’s interest in OML 42 should be provided as additional collateral for the repayment of the Nestoil loans. But Neconde had used its interest in OML 42 as a collateral to secure the loans it obtained from another group of banks. Therefore, in law and common sense, the only way Neconde may provide its interest in OML 42 as additional collateral to the Nestoil lenders was if (a)
the Neconde lenders permitted Neconde to do so, and (b) the collateral taken by the Nestoil lenders in OML 42 will be inferior to the collateral already held by the Neconde lenders, i.e., the Nestoil lenders will exercise their right only AFTER the Neconde lenders have exercised their right over the collateral in the event of a default. Neconde and the Nestoil lenders signed an agreement on this
basis. In this instance, this would have created a “second ranking charge” for the Nestoil lenders.
It’s also important to state that the Neconde lenders refused to permit Neconde to create a second ranking charge in favour of the Nestoil lenders. So, the Nestoil lenders did not obtain a second ranking charge over Neconde’s
interest in OML 42 or any of Neconde’s assets.
These facts are in the documents First Trustees presented to Hon. Justice Dideolu and on the basis of which he made the ex parte orders but, he made the following order against Neconde as order no. 5: “That an order is hereby made granting leave to the Receiver/Manager to take over the 2nd
Defendant’s [Neconde] office situate at 41/42 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos; any other asset of the 2nd Defendant wherever it may be found within the jurisdiction of this Court; and/or the 2nd Defendant’s interest in OML 42 JV by virtue of the Deed of Appointment dated 21st of August
2025, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice”.
Meanwhile, the “Receiver/Manager” is the receiver/manager appointed by the Nestiol
lenders, who have no collateral or other legal right over Neconde or Neconde’s interest in OML 42, and Justice Dipeolu therefore wrongly wiped out the collateral held by the Neconde lenders by placing Neconde under receivership in favour of the Nestoil lenders who do not have any collateral or charge over Neconde or its assets.
Legal analysta said that Justice Dipeolu, an experienced judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria was induced by extra judicial considerations for him to exercise that egregious judicial impunity.
Expectedly, four of the Neconde lenders have already filed an application to be joined in the matter with a view to setting aside the orders made against Neconde because the order has no basis in fact and in law.
However, legal analysts have hailed the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Tsoho over his decision to direct Justice Dipeolu to withdraw from the suit based on the petition presented by the Nestoil Group to the National Judicial Council.
According to them, what Justice Tsoho did is the standard practice once a petition against a judicial officer has been presented to the NJC. “In fact, upon becoming aware of the petition, Justice Dipeolu ought to have recused himself from the matter with immediate effect without the necessity of the intervention of the Hon. Chief Judge” analysts said.
Analysts also condemned an allegation that Justice Tsoho was given a bribe of $5m to give his directive that Justice Dipeolu should excuse himself from the Nestoil case..
They wrote that it’s unfortunate that
Justice Dipeolu’s handlers have chosen to mount a campaign of calumny against Hon. Justice Tsoho just because he gave a directive that would redeem the integrity of the Nigeria judicial system.
The wrote: “A judge like Justice Dipeolu, who has consistently recklessly abused his judicial oath of office by making decisions that are induced by extra-judicial considerations ought to be flushed out of the. judiciary. His “fans” should help him to help himself by advising him to resign his office as a judge”
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