By Omoniyi David

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned former National Coordinator of the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Alhaji Danjuma Mohammed, alongside Prince Achem and Aminu Alhaji (at large), over an alleged N2.28 billion fraud.

The defendants appeared before Justice K. N. Ogbonnaya of the FCT High Court, Zuba, on a 54-count amended charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and forgery.

Prosecution counsel Adeola Olarenwaju told the court that the original charge filed on December 3, 2025, was being substituted with the 54-count amended charge dated January 22, based on the attached proof of evidence. Justice Ogbonnaya granted the application.

The first count alleges that between May 2022 and February 2024, the defendants conspired to obtain N2.28 billion from Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu, managing director of Diamond Leeds Limited, in violation of Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.

By Patrick Idowu

A coalition of indigenous groups and residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has renewed calls for the creation of Abuja as Nigeria’s 37th state, proposing Gwagwalada Area Council as its capital.

The demand was made on Tuesday at the inaugural meeting of the FCT Stakeholders’ Assembly held in Gwagwalada, where speakers described the agitation as a collective struggle against systemic marginalisation, rather than an ethnic conflict.

President of the Assembly, Aliyu Daniel Kwali, said the choice of Gwagwalada was deliberate, describing it as the historical and cultural headquarters of the proposed State of Abuja.

He said the Assembly was united in its resolve to secure statehood for the FCT, stressing that the struggle was rooted in structural and economic exclusion embedded in Nigeria’s political system.

“Our struggle is not against ordinary Nigerians but against constitutional and administrative frameworks that exclude us from meaningful participation,” Kwali said.

He added that the Assembly, a non-profit and non-partisan civil society group, is committed to advancing the civic and constitutional rights of FCT natives and residents, while promoting collaboration with non-indigenous settlers.

Also speaking, Rev. Barr. Aboki Zhawa provided a constitutional backing for the demand, noting that the original inhabitants of the FCT have no other ancestral homeland and deserve equal constitutional rights enjoyed by citizens of other states.

He called for constitutional reforms, including the abolition of the indigene-settler dichotomy, citing Section 42(1) of the 1999 Constitution, and urged inclusive governance through zoning and citizenship-based belonging.

The meeting marked a renewed push in the long-standing agitation for FCT statehood, now framed around economic justice, constitutional rights, and inclusive citizenship.

By Patrick Idowu

The Ondo State Police Command has debunked a viral social media report alleging that a child, Oluwatosin Abosede, was sexually assaulted by one Jimmy, clarifying that the incident is not recent.

In a statement posted on its official X handle on Thursday, the Command said the alleged assault occurred around July 2019, contrary to claims suggesting it was a current case.

According to the police, the matter was reported at the time and promptly investigated by operatives of the Command.

The statement added that the suspect was arrested following investigations and subsequently charged to court in line with due process.

The Police urged the public to verify information before sharing it on social media to avoid misinformation and unnecessary panic.