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EFCC hands over 53 vehicles, $180,300 to Canadian Police

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EFCC chairman raises the alarm over cybercrime epidemic
• EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  (EFCC) on Friday, handed over 53 recovered vehicles and 180, 300 dollars to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on behalf of the victims of financial crimes in Canada.

Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the anti-graft agency handed over the recovered assets to the  representatives of RCMP in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports  that RCMP was represented by Nasser Sadiou, its Regional Officer, and Mr Robert Aboumitiri, First Secretary, Deputy High Commission of Canada, Nigeria.

Okukoyede said  the vehicles were stolen from Canada and tracked to various car stands in Nigeria.

He said that nine of the vehicles were tracked to customs port, where they were awaiting clearance.

According to him, 164, 000 U.S. dollars was recovered for a Canadian, Elena  Bogomas, in a romance scam, while 16, 300 U.S. dollars was also recovered for another Canadian, Sandra Butler.

He said one of the fraudsters used his proceeds to buy an estate and was later arrested, prosecuted and jailed, while the property was sold to recover the funds.

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“It’s common knowledge that financial crimes have taken a new turn all across the globe.

“The people who perpetrate these crimes do it in such a way that we discover that their activities are quite borderless and barbaric,” he said.

According to him, they employ all kinds of means to ensure that they move across various jurisdictions.

“That’s why it has become very necessary and imperative for us to collaborate with our friends across the world. People share the same objective and mandate with us.

“What the EFCC is doing today is doing on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“It is also demonstrating the fact that the President has given us the mandate to extend our hands to ensure that this particular problem is resolved and that is exactly what we are doing here today,” he said.

Olukoyede said the exercise was a demonstration of the EFCC’s commitment to the inter-agency cooperation in the country.

He said it was also a demonstration of the fact that the Nigerian government does not tolerate financial crimes.

“Not only that, we are going to pursue it, because not only that, we will investigate, we will recover, we will prosecute and we will ensure that the victim is restituted.

“We have recovered money, financial assets, and also we have recovered vehicles on behalf of the victims in Canada.

“As a matter of fact, the  53 vehicles were recovered on behalf of the victims.

“In one instance, we had 164,000 U.S. dollars given to a Canadian victim known as Elena Bogomas.

“Also, we have here, which we will present to you today, another sum of 16,300 U.S. dollars stolen from another victim known as Sandra Butler,” he said.

Sadiou, in his remarks after the signing of documents for the transfer of the recovered assets, thanked the Government of Nigeria and the EFCC in the fight against corruption.

“I am really happy to be here. I feel like being home. I am very happy with the recovery and we appreciate the EFCC on the job they have done.

“It is a testimony of your professionalism and commitment in the combat against financial crimes.

“EFCC is one of the key partners in the fight against financial crimes in the world and West Africa in particular,” he said.

Aboumitiri in his remarks, lauded the partnership between the Canadian government and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He said the partnership had been yielding positive results.

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I might not be alive to contest in 2027 – Peter Obi raises alarm over threats to his life

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Peter Obi, NDC Presidential candidate
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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi, has cried out over alleged threat to his life.

Obi, who is a major contender ahead of the 2027 presidential election said he might not be alive to participate in the election.

According to him, there is obvious attack on everything that had to do with him, including his life.

The former Anambra state governor made the allegation during a podcast with Chude Jideonwo.

“The way they are going now I might not be alive,  I’m telling you every single thing I do for a living this government is frustrating it deliberately so.

“Everything, so there’s even a possibility if they have opportunity I will not be alive. I get frustrations every day because you do things that may think it may be normal it is not normal they won’t come directly and say oh we are doing this but you could see their hand in eventually everything.

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“The government is attacking everybody, I am being attacked personally even to provide me with things I am entitled to, not at all,” he said.

He recalled how his vehicle was clamped down at the airport while he was right there, whereas other vehicles lined up on the same spot were untouched.

Obi further that stated that even close associates were beginning to avoid him over fear of government clampdown.

He disclosed that friends now send him invitations for occasions but tell him not to bother attending.

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Yilwatda hails Tinubu’s intervention funds as a promise kept

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President Tinubu and APC National Chairman, Prof Yilwatda
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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has said that the intervention programmes of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have continued to demonstrate that the Renewed Hope Agenda is delivering tangible economic benefits to millions of Nigerians through strategic investments in entrepreneurship, small businesses, and youth empowerment.

According to Professor Yilwatda, the Presidential Intervention Funds represent yet another example of the Tinubu administration fulfilling its campaign promises by providing the critical financial support needed to stimulate enterprise, create jobs, and deepen economic inclusion across the country.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, the National Chairman noted that for decades, access to affordable financing remained one of the biggest obstacles confronting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), despite their enormous contribution to national economic growth and employment generation.

The current administration, he said, has deliberately moved to address this challenge through targeted intervention programmes that are unlocking the entrepreneurial potential of Nigerians.

“The Tinubu administration understands that sustainable economic growth begins with empowering the productive sector. By supporting small businesses and young entrepreneurs, government is laying the foundation for long-term prosperity and shared economic progress,” he stated.

Professor Yilwatda highlighted the ₦75 billion Presidential Intervention Fund for MSMEs as a landmark initiative designed to provide accessible financing for small businesses across various sectors of the economy.

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He said the programme is enabling entrepreneurs to expand their operations, increase productivity, and create employment opportunities.

He further pointed to the ₦11 billion support package through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), describing it as a strategic investment in strengthening the capacity and competitiveness of Nigerian small and medium enterprises.

The APC National Chairman also commended the ₦30 billion Youth Entrepreneurship Fund through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), noting that the initiative reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with the resources required to transform innovative ideas into successful businesses and become drivers of national development.

Professor Yilwatda emphasized that these interventions are already making meaningful differences in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Across the country, young entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers, traders, tailors, manufacturers, and other small business owners are accessing capital to expand their businesses, employ more people, and contribute to the economic development of their communities.

He explained that the impact extends beyond individual beneficiaries, creating a multiplier effect through increased productivity, higher household incomes, stronger local economies, and expanded opportunities for wealth creation.

“The APC remains committed to building an economy that works for all Nigerians. These intervention funds are not mere policy announcements; they are practical investments in the dreams and aspirations of millions of our people.

“The evidence is clear. Businesses are receiving support, young people are being empowered, jobs are being created, and economic inclusion is expanding. This is governance that delivers results, and it is another demonstration that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is keeping his promises to the Nigerian people,” Professor Yilwatda said.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the APC and the Tinubu administration to implementing policies that promote entrepreneurship, stimulate investment, strengthen local industries, and build a resilient economy capable of delivering sustainable prosperity for all Nigerians.

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Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji set for arraignment as ICPC files six criminal charges over alleged certificate forgery

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Uche Nnaji when he was arrested by security operatives
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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a six-count criminal charge against former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, , over alleged certificate forgery and related offences.

The charges, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, are contained in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026, with the Federal Government listed as the complainant and Nnaji as the sole defendant.

According to the charge sheet, the ICPC accused the former minister of receiving N29.58 million in salaries and allowances while serving in office, alleging that he ought to have known the funds were proceeds of an unlawful act arising from corruption and fraud. The commission said the action contravenes provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The anti-graft agency also alleged that Nnaji used his office to confer corrupt advantage on himself and knowingly presented false information to the Federal Government by submitting forged > (NYSC) and (UNN) certificates during his ministerial appointment in 2023.

In separate counts, the ICPC accused him of producing and using as genuine a forged NYSC Certificate of National Service and a forged UNN degree certificate, offences punishable under the Penal Code.

The filing of the charges follows Nnaji’s arrest last Wednesday after arriving in Abuja from Enugu aboard a chartered flight.

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The prosecution stems from an investigation published by Premium Times, which alleged that Nnaji forged his university degree and NYSC certificates submitted to President and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation.

The newspaper reported that the confirmed Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but neither graduated nor was issued a degree certificate, while the NYSC also reportedly disowned the discharge certificate attributed to him.

Nnaji resigned as minister shortly after the allegations became public. He has since defected from the APC to PDP , where he emerged as the governorship candidate of a faction of the party for the 2027 Enugu governorship election.

He is expected to be arraigned before the Federal High Court in the coming days.

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