By Abaire Olanlesi

The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim forfeiture order on digital assets worth $222,729.86, allegedly linked to fraudulent activities involving Chinese and Filipino nationals.

Justice Alexander Owoeye granted the order on Monday following an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Zeenat Atiku.

The motion was brought under Section 44(2)(B) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act No. 14, 2016.

The court directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, giving any interested parties 14 days to contest the forfeiture before the assets are permanently seized by the Federal Government.

According to an affidavit by EFCC investigator Owolabi Taiwo, the assets were suspected to have been acquired through illicit means.

Intelligence reports led to a sting operation in Lagos, resulting in the arrest of 792 suspected cybercriminals and the seizure of approximately 1,000 routers, SIM cards, computers, and mobile phones.

By Patrick Idowu 

A joint task force consisting of the FCT Police Command, the Military, NSCDC, and NDLEA has apprehended 31 individuals suspected of vandalizing public infrastructure across Abuja.

The suspects were found with stolen items, including cables and electrical components, valued at over one billion naira.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, revealed that the stolen materials had caused significant disruptions, particularly affecting areas like Dawaki, Mpape, Nyanya, and Karu, which have experienced prolonged blackouts. He added that officials from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) confirmed that the recovered items were taken from multiple electricity stations.

Other items recovered include 115 stolen manhole covers, five motorcycles, transformer parts, industrial scaffoldings, bundles of cables, and solar batteries.

Security forces also targeted scavenger colonies and scrap yards, known as “Pantakers,” where stolen public assets were dismantled for resale.

Recent raids conducted on 24th and 26th January in Zuba and Diko led to the recovery of stolen vehicle documents, industrial batteries, and cables.

A subsequent raid on 28th January in Dape Village resulted in the demolition of illegal structures to reclaim public assets.

Sixteen of the arrested suspects have been charged for criminal conspiracy and mischief.

Disu emphasized that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat vandalism and protect critical infrastructure in the FCT and neighboring areas, warning that security forces will continue their crackdown on criminal activities targeting public utilities.

By Alexis Uchendu

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has warned of escalating security risks in Niger State due to the rising use of firearms and explosives among artisanal miners.

This follows a deadly dynamite explosion in Sabon-Pegi, Mashegu Local Government Area, that killed three and injured several others.

Bago, visiting the site of the explosion, described it as tragic and preventable.

He highlighted the state’s rich gold and lithium deposits as attracting illegal miners who store explosives and weapons, exacerbating security threats.

The governor urged locals to surrender dangerous materials to a designated security committee for safe storage.

He also announced a N174 million relief package for the victims.

Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, condemned the incident as avoidable and called for intensified awareness campaigns.

The explosion affected 69 people, destroying houses and vehicles.

In response, the Mashegu LGA has imposed a temporary mining ban, with calls for neighboring Magama LGA to follow suit.