Defence/Security

You have a case to answer, court tells Nyako, son, others

Published

4 years ago

July 19, 2021

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered Murtala Nyako (rtd) to enter his defence in the alleged N29 billion money laundering charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).Justice Abang gave the order on Monday while ruling on the no-case-submission filed by the former Adamawa governor, his son Abdul-Aziz and other defendants in the matter.The other defendants are Zulkifik Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Ltd, Tower Assets Management Ltd and Crust Energy Ltd.The judge said that he had painstakingly perused the evidence given by the 21 witnesses called by the prosecution and was of the view that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the defendants.“I have calmly, carefully and painstakingly scrutinised the evidence adduced by the 21 witnesses in chief and under cross-examination including the oral and written arguments of all the defendants.“I have again carefully and painstakingly considered the evidence of the 21 witnesses and the massive documentary evidence and the extra judicial statements of the defendants.“I have carefully considered the legal arguments of all the counsel for the defendants, their written and oral arguments and the argument of the prosecution in this ruling.“It is my humble but firm view that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the defendants and they are required to enter their defence immediately.”The judge held that the no-case-submission filed by the defendants lacked merit and he accordingly dismissed it.He adjourned the matter until Oct. 4, Oct. 5, Oct. 7 and Oct. 8 for the defendants to open their case.

The EFCC is prosecuting the former governor and his son, Abdul-Aziz; two companies, Sebore Farms and Extension Ltd and Pagado Fortunes Ltd, over money laundering offences.

The EFCC had arraigned them on a 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering.

The trial began on July 7, 2015 and the anti-graft agency closed its case on Nov. 3, 2019 having called 21 witnesses to establish its case against the defendants.

Instead of opening their defence, the defendants elected to file a no-case submission in which they argued that the facts adduced by all the witnesses called by the prosecution did not prove the allegation against them.

Defence/Security

DSS Arrests Man Who Used Own Social Media Handle To Canvass Military Coup

Published

1 week ago

October 29, 2025

Our Reporter

The Department of State Services (DSS) has trailed to Oyigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and arrested one Innocent Chukwuma who used his social media handle to rally the military to overthrow the current government.

Posting on his “X” handle “@TheAgroman,” Chukwuma stated that a coup was needed in Nigeria and called on the military to “suspend the Nigerian government.”

He posted, “A coup in Nigeria is needed.
Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian Government, and join the AES. That is all we need now.
“It will happen eventually. Nigerians, the military needs your support now! Only them can save this country.
“The bastard in Aso Rock has basically sold this country to the West, and they run our intelligence apparatus. Only the military can reset this country. Support them,” Chukwuma posted.

A source disclosed that the suspect is cooperating with DSS investigators.

Defence/Security

Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation of Newly Appointed Service Chiefs

Published

1 week ago

October 28, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting the confirmation of the newly appointed Service Chiefs.

The letter, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during Tuesday’s plenary in Abuja, listed the nominees for the country’s top military positions.

Those named include:

General Olufemi Oluyede – Chief of Defence Staff
Major-General Waheedi Shaibu – Chief of Army Staff
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas – Chief of Naval Staff
Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke – Chief of Air Staff
Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye – Chief of Defence Intelligence

In the correspondence, President Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process to enable the new military heads to assume their duties without delay.

The Senate has since referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for screening and confirmation of the nominees, scheduled to take place next week.

Defence/Security

Terrorists Threaten to Bomb National Assembly — Lawmaker Raises Alarm

Published

1 week ago

October 28, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Ibrahim Muhammad, has revealed that terrorists have issued threats to bomb the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

Hon. Garba made the disclosure on Tuesday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish a Legislative Security Directorate, a new body proposed to strengthen security and protect lawmakers, staff, and visitors within the National Assembly.

“We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex, and also from protesters planning to lock up the premises,” Garba stated.

He warned that Nigeria’s seat of democracy faces growing security risks, including vehicle and motorcycle theft, vandalism, infiltration by unregistered persons, and the use of fake identity cards.

According to him, failure to address these lapses could have grave consequences.
“It is clear that if proper security measures are not implemented, legislative activities could be truncated. Without sittings, there will be no representation, oversight, annual budget, or plenary — and that will destabilize both the legislature and the nation’s democracy,” he cautioned.

Garba emphasized the need for a coordinated security framework to ensure a safe and functional parliamentary environment.
“That is why this Bill is crucial. It aims to tackle these challenges and align Nigeria’s parliamentary security system with global best practices,” he added.

The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment and Functions of the Legislative Security Directorate in the National Assembly (HB 1632)”, was considered at the House Conference Hall 028 in Abuja.

While acknowledging the importance of keeping Parliament accessible to citizens, Garba insisted that public access must not compromise security.
“The need for effective security in the National Assembly cannot be overstated. This Bill is committed to ensuring the best possible security architecture to protect legislators, staff, visitors, and property,” he said.

He further encouraged state Houses of Assembly across the country to adopt similar frameworks to strengthen legislative security nationwide.

“With these few points of mine, I wish us a peaceful and productive hearing that will mark a turning point in the National Assembly’s security system,” Garba concluded.