Uncategorized
Alleged N4bn Fraud: Court Hears Obiano’s Motion Challenging Jurisdiction March 7

The Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed March 7 to hear a motion filed by former Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano.
Obiano is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the alleged N4 billion fraud charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).
Reports says that the former Anambra governor was arraigned on Jan.
24 on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of N4 billion.The former governor, however, pleaded not guilty to all counts when the charge was read to him.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, counsel to Obiano, Mr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, informed the court that he had filed a motion challenging its jurisdiction on behalf of his client.
Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, however, said that he had yet to file a reply because he was served the motion on Monday morning in court.
Tahir also said that the issue on jurisdiction had been settled by the Supreme Court that once the charge bordered on money laundering, the Federal High Court had inherent jurisdiction to try it.
The trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo advised the prosecutor to do his part by filing his response to the motion.
“It is not for you to tell the court the Supreme Court’s decision on the issue. Respond to the motion and leave the court to decide”, Ekwo said.
Reports says that Obiano, who was governor between March 2014 and March 2022, is said to have allegedly diverted the money from the state’s account dedicated to security funds in his last five years in office.
He allegedly directed the diversion of the funds from the state’s account between April 2017 and March 2022, and spent the money for purposes unconnected to the security affairs of the state.
The funds, according to the EFCC, were diverted through companies that had no business relationship with the Anambra government, converted to dollars and handed over to the former governor in dollars.
Reports also said that the case, filed by the EFCC detailed the nine companies allegedly used for diverting the funds from the state government’s security vote account.
Reports says that each of the nine counts disclosed the amount a company received and the period it received it from the state government’s account.
In count one of the charges, the EFCC alleged that between Feb. 16, and March 9, 2018, an aggregate sum of N223, 371,000 was paid from the security vote account into the account of Connought International Services Limited.
The anti-graft agency alleged in count 2 that from between Oct. 30, and Nov. 13 2018, a total sum of N95 million was paid from the security vote account into the bank account of S.Y. Panda Enterprises.
In Count 3, EFCC alleged that from between April 11, 2017 and June 21, 2019, a total of N416, 000,000 was diverted from security vote account into the account of Zirga Zirga Trading Company Limited. (NAN)
Uncategorized
NIMC Inaugurates NIN Authentication Service

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) inauguration of the NIMC NIN Authentication (NNAuth) for secured and seamless identity verification and authentication.
This is contained in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday, by the Head, Cooperate Communications, NIMC, Dr Kayode Adegoke.
Adegoke said that similarly, the presidency had directed the use of NIN Authentication for verification and authentication across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He explained that this was in line with the commission’s mandate of regulating a reliable national digital identity for citizens and legal residents to affirm their identity
According to him, the inauguration of the NIN Authentication (NINAuth), a cutting-edge suite of services that include web, API and mobile verification is designed to enhance data security, protect privacy, and simplify access to government services.
”This is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on strengthening the national identity management system.
”The NIMC NINAuth application is the official service for integration with the commission’s back-end infrastructure.
”It introduces a robust layer of protection, empowering individuals with greater control over their personal information.”
He added that it required explicit consent before data is shared for Know Your Customer (KYC) processes or other verifications.
He said that the platform fosters trust, transparency, and user autonomy in digital identity management.
Adegoke also said that with the NINAuth, individuals could securely verify their identity and access key government services which include Sim registration, replacement, applications and passport processing
Others he said include tax filings and financial transactions, government Intervention Programmes in various MDAs, driver’s licence renewals and other regulatory processes.
The NIMC head of cooperate communications further said that the key features and benefits include enhanced Security, Protects personal data from unauthorised access, empowers individuals with the freedom to manage their data sharing preferences.
According to him, other key features and benefits include seamless access, provides a secure single sign on solution for convenient access to services.
He added that the innovation reaffirms NIMC’s commitment to advancing secured and efficient digital identity management, ensuring a more accessible, transparent, and secure identity verification system in Nigeria.
He said that the NINAuth application also provided a secured, scalable, and interoperable interface for identity verification through API integration.
According to him, it is designed to facilitate real-time authentication of NIN records, thereby promoting effective service delivery, database harmonisation, and compliance with the National Identity Policy.
He said that the NINAuth service had been designated as the exclusive platform for all NIN-based verification and authentication integration processes for optimal services.
”The implementation guide and process flow of the NIMC NIN Authentication are available at https://ninauth.nimc.gov.ng,” he said.
CRIME
Army Arrests Human Parts Trafficker, Drug Peddlers In Ogun State
By Oladapo Udom
Lagos, April 27, 2025 (NAN)Troops of the 81 Division, Nigerian Army, operating under the 35 Artillery Brigade, have apprehended a man for allegedly trafficking human parts at Kulanla Odomola in Ogun.
The division’s spokesman, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, disclosed this in a signed statement on Sunday.
Ayeni said the troops rescued the suspect from an angry mob that had attempted to lynch him.
“The suspect, along with the exhibits, has been handed over to the Nigeria Police at Noforija for further investigation and possible prosecution,” he said.
The spokesman further revealed that troops operating in Ado-Odo, Ota Local Government Area of Ogun, arrested and detained three suspected drug peddlers during a patrol.
According to him, the suspects were found with two packs of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, concealed under 60kg of cargo in a white J5 vehicle.
“The suspects and exhibits have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Ilaro Area Command, for further investigation and possible prosecution,” Ayeni said.
He reiterated the division’s commitment to deploying every legitimate means to protect law-abiding citizens from criminal elements within its area of operation.
Tanker Explosion: Reps presents N18m cheque to victims in Enugu
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, Tuesday, presented a cheque for N18 million to the Enugu State Government as support to the victims of tanker explosion.
Report says that many people and families lost their lives and eight vehicles burnt in that fire accident after a tanker laden with fuel fell and exploded in the Ugwu- Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway on Jan.
25.Presenting the cheque, the Speaker described the incident as a huge loss, not only to the Government and people of Enugu State, but also the nation as a whole,
Abbas was represented by Mr Nnolim Nnaji (Nkanu East/West) who led the Enugu State Caucus in the Green Chamber.
The speaker said that the support was in keeping with the tradition of the House of Representatives to ensure that governments and people of Nigeria were not alone in the face of such challenges.
Other Enugu State Caucus in the house that accompanied Nnaji include Messrs Martins Oke, Dennis Agbo, Mark Obetta, Anayo Onwuegbu, and Chimaobi Atu.
Abbas commended Mbah for his sterling leadership of the state and the prompt effort to comfort the families who lost their loved ones and supported the injured.
“On behalf of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, we commiserate with the Government and people of Enugu state over the tanker incident at Ugwu Onyeama.
“We acknowledge that you have done a lot to support both the injured and those who lost their loved ones.
“So, this is a cheque for N18 million to assist the state to further ameliorate their losses and challenges occasioned by the incident.
“We send our heartfelt condolences, once again and you can continue to count on our support,” he said.
Reacting, Gov. Peter Mbah thanked the Speaker and the Enugu State Caucus of the House of Representatives for the show of concern, assuring them that the donation would go straight to the purpose for which it was made.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Enugu State, I express profound gratitude and deep appreciation for this wonderful gesture.
“I recall that when the Ugwu-Onyeama incident occurred, taking the lives of several of our loved ones, the Speaker called and assured us that he was with us in prayers.
“Today, he has also shown us that he is not only with us in prayers, but also materially. He has equally come to mourn with us.
“This cheque of N18 million will go a long way in cushioning the effect of the incident on those affected and their families.
“Rest assured that as a government, we will ensure that this gets to them in a transparent, accountable, and just manner,” Mbah said. (NAN)