A defence lawyer on Thursday alleged before the Lagos State High Court that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pressured his client to implicate former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, in the ongoing trial over alleged $4.5 billion fraud.

Mr. Nnamdi Offial, counsel to the second defendant, Henry Omoile, made the allegation while testifying in a trial-within-trial ordered by Justice Rahman Oshodi to determine whether Omoile’s statement to the EFCC was made voluntarily.

Offial told the court that EFCC investigators allegedly promised his client bail and possible exemption from prosecution if he cooperated by providing incriminating information against Emefiele.

Emefiele and Omoile are standing trial on charges bordering on accepting gratification, receiving gifts through agents, corruption and fraudulent receipt of property.

The EFCC also accused them of conferring corrupt advantage on associates, contrary to the Corrupt Practices Act, 2000. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to Offial, the head of the EFCC interrogation team repeatedly assured Omoile of leniency if he implicated the former apex bank governor.

He said the interrogation process was conducted in a rigid question-and-answer format, during which his client was only allowed to write responses that aligned with the investigators’ expectations.

“On several occasions, questions were put to the second defendant and he answered, but he was not allowed to write them down because the answers did not conform to what the interrogators wanted him to say. I objected to this many times,” Offial testified.

The lawyer further alleged that on February 26, 2024, the interrogation session ended with investigators informing him that Omoile would remain in detention because they were not done with him.

He also narrated an incident the following day, February 27, 2024, when he questioned why his client was being interrogated in his absence, a situation he said resulted in a confrontation with one of the officers, identified as Davide, who allegedly ordered him to leave the premises.

“I reported the incident to the head of the team, who advised me not to worry and to sit in the waiting area. I was not allowed to render services to my client until about 8pm, when he was taken back to the detention centre,” Offial said.

He added that he later discovered his client was being detained for refusing to cooperate with investigators, prompting him to apply for bail from the EFCC zonal head.

Offial told the court that Omoile spent 21 days in detention before filing a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

He said Justice Muslim Hassan eventually granted bail but ordered that Omoile be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the perfection of bail conditions.

However, under cross-examination by prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Offial admitted that Omoile was cautioned in his presence and that he signed the caution.

He also acknowledged participating in the statement-taking process and confirmed that he was aware any statement made by his client could be used against him in court.

The defence witness further conceded that he did not file any petition against the EFCC over the alleged misconduct and that the Federal High Court did not indict the commission in the fundamental rights suit.

He also admitted that his client was not harassed in his presence during interrogation.

Justice Oshodi subsequently adjourned the matter until January 16 for the continuation of the trial-within-trial.

The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over alleged ₦110.4 billion fraud continued on Thursday with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) tendering additional bank records before the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja.

Bello is facing trial alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

The case is being presided over by Justice MaryAnne Anenih.

At the resumed hearing, the prosecution team, led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), continued its case with the cross-examination of the sixth prosecution witness, Mashelia Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank.

Defence counsel to the first and second defendants, Joseph Daudu (SAN), questioned the witness on several transactions contained in Exhibit S1, a statement of account earlier admitted in evidence.

Bata explained that the “description” column of the statement reflected transaction details, citing entries such as a ₦10 million cheque issued to Abdulsalami Hudu on January 20, 2016, and another cheque payment of ₦2,454,400 to Halims Hotels and Tours in Lokoja.

He, however, told the court that he could not determine the purposes for which the funds were utilised.

The witness was also questioned on Exhibit X1, identified as account opening documents of a company account domiciled at Zenith Bank’s Lokoja branch.

He testified on several inflows and outflows recorded in December 2016, including a ₦74.37 million credit from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service and a ₦10 million cheque issued to Mohammed Jami’u Sallau.

The EFCC further called Gabriel Ocha, a compliance officer with First City Monument Bank, as the eighth prosecution witness. Ocha tendered documents relating to Kunfayakun Global Limited covering transactions between 2018 and 2024.

He testified on transactions including a ₦30 million debit to the American International School, as well as multiple ₦10 million web transfers and NIBSS inflows recorded on November 1, 2021.

Another witness, A.D. Ojoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank, also testified for the prosecution.

He tendered the statement of account of Bespoke Business Solutions Limited and highlighted several large credit entries, including payments from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service running into hundreds of millions of naira in 2019.

Justice Anenih adjourned the matter until Friday, January 16, 2026, for the continuation of trial.

Meanwhile, the Serving Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has called for urgent judicial and institutional reforms, warning that corruption within Nigeria’s justice system continues to undermine national development.

Bakare made the call while delivering the keynote address at the 22nd Chief Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch.

He lamented what he described as an integrity deficit among judges and lawyers, citing political interference in judicial appointments and conflicting court judgments as major challenges confronting the sector.

Also speaking at a separate event, the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Prof. Salisu Usman, advocated stricter penalties for corruption, including capital punishment for convicted offenders.

Usman made the call during the 37th Inaugural Lecture of the Federal University, Lokoja, where he described corruption as a major setback to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth and global image.

Abba Abubakar, son of former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has defected from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress, declaring his support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027.

The defection was announced on Thursday at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, where Abba was formally received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside top APC leaders from the North-East zone.

Popularly known as Abba, the younger Abubakar described his decision to join the APC as historic and personal, noting that it followed careful reflection on the leadership direction of the country and the performance of the Tinubu administration.

Addressing party leaders and supporters, he announced his resignation from the PDP and directed members of his political structure, the Haske Atiku Organisation, founded in 2022, to immediately align with the APC and work for the success of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“My name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, but everyone calls me Abba. I am here today to formally announce my exit from my former party and my decision to join the APC,” he said.

“With this development, I will work closely with Senator Barau to actualise the second-term ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. I have directed all coordinators and members of my organisation to join the APC and mobilise support for the President.”

Welcoming him into the party, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as symbolic and far-reaching, saying it marked a shift towards what he called politics beyond old divides.

“This decision reflects a new phase of politics without borders. Abba has seen the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration and has chosen to align with them,” Salihu said, assuring him of equal opportunities and full rights within the party.

Senator Barau, in his remarks, congratulated Abba for what he described as a bold and principled move, stressing that the decision was driven by ideology rather than family influence.

“You did not come here because of who your father is. You came because you believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his leadership style and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Barau said.

The Deputy President of the Senate disclosed that Abba, who had been following political developments from the United States, was impressed by ongoing reforms and engagement by the Tinubu administration, which informed his return to Nigeria and eventual defection.

Also speaking, a presidential aide, Alhaji Mahmoud Abdullahi, assured Abba of President Tinubu’s acceptance and support within the APC, describing his move as a return home.

On behalf of the defecting group, Kano State coordinator of the organisation, Hon. Mubarak Musa, said all political activities of the group would now be coordinated through Senator Barau, pledging to intensify mobilisation for the APC ahead of 2027.

The event culminated in the formal renaming of the Haske Atiku Organisation to the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, symbolising a complete political realignment and an open endorsement of President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Governor Alex Otti of Abia state today joined fellow citizens at the Major-General Aguiyi Ironsi Cenotaph in Umuahia to honour the gallant men and women of Nigeria’s Armed Forces who gave their lives in the service of the nation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Otti described the sacrifices of these heroes as the foundation of the peace enjoyed today in Abia and across Nigeria.

He also commended serving military and security personnel for their unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.

“Thanks to their courage and collaboration, Abia has become one of the safest states in the country, paving the way for renewed economic growth, social stability, and the revival of our rural communities,” the governor said.

Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces and ensuring the welfare of the families of fallen heroes, emphasizing that their legacy lives on in the peace citizens build every day.

He urged Nigerians to learn from history and dedicate themselves to building a nation grounded in justice, freedom, and fairness.

“Let us honour them not just in words, but through our actions by rejecting violence, embracing unity, and working together for a just, free, and prosperous Nigeria,” he said.

Former Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2023 general election in Enugu state, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga, has described the ongoing nationwide electronic revalidation of membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a positive step toward engaging Nigeria’s younger generation.

Speaking to journalists at Isiuzo during the flag-off of the APC E-Registration exercise, Edeoga said the initiative demonstrates the party’s commitment to responding to the aspirations of the digital-savvy Gen Z population.

“The E-registration exercise is a welcome development. It shows that the APC is embracing technology to make political participation more accessible, especially for our youth who are increasingly digitally connected,” Edeoga said.

The former House of Representatives member, who represented Enugu East/Isiuzo federal constituency, also used the occasion to endorse Governor Peter Mbah and President Bola Tinubu for reelection, emphasizing the importance of continuity in leadership for sustainable development in Enugu and the country at large.

Edeoga encouraged citizens to take advantage of the e-registration platform to ensure their voices are counted in shaping the nation’s political future.

Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has ignited debate on social media after a video surfaced in which he claimed that defeating President Bola Tinubu would require “red eye” tactics rather than relying solely on legal challenges.

The video, shared on X on Thursday by user #_Dejii, features Baba-Ahmed criticising Nigeria’s electoral and judicial systems, alleging breaches of the Constitution during the 2023 presidential election.

“I told Peter Obi, Supreme Court cannot give you governor and give you presidency. For God’s sake, stand up and do something. The Nigerian Constitution was clearly breached,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed drew comparisons to the June 12 struggle, noting that political actors in the past vigorously defended their interests and mobilised Nigerians over long periods to challenge injustice.

“Now if it was the June 12 people that you breached, not just the constitution, but breached one punctuation in their interest, I swear to God, nobody will sleep,” he added.

While condemning what he called constitutional abuse, Baba-Ahmed acknowledged that those in power are skilled at organising and protecting their interests.

“So as much as I dislike the fact that they abuse the Nigerian Constitution, you must give it to them.

They fight for their interests, they can organise June 12 rallies, they can keep it up for three decades.”

He warned that any opposition aiming to unseat Tinubu must be prepared to confront the system decisively.

Baba-Ahmed also alleged that individuals opposing the declaration of what he termed “fake results” are often branded criminals, while those attempting to declare such results are shielded by law enforcement and portrayed as good citizens.

“You must show your red eyes if you’re going to defeat Tinubu, because on that day that they are declaring the result, the people declaring a fake result are criminals, and those who are stopping the declaration of fake results are good citizens.”

“Whoever is going to defeat Tinubu must show red eye,” he stressed, adding that court action alone may not be sufficient.

The remarks have sparked mixed reactions online. Some Nigerians praised Baba-Ahmed’s critique of the electoral process, while others condemned the comments.

User Deji wrote, “Datti for President,” while #Jasonabba added, “I am a strong Obedient and Igbo to the core but the day Datti decides to run for Election I wouldn’t look Obi’s way. And I’m dead serious.”

Other reactions included criticism of his approach.

“Take this lightly if you will, but this man is indirectly calling for massive unrest and turmoil and he doesn’t strike me like someone to lead from the front when things go wrong,” said #I_S_A_D.