DEFENCE
EFCC Confirms Return of N19.3bn Kogi Salary Bailout Fund to CBN

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the return of N19. 33 billion Kogi state salary bailout funds, recovered by the Commission, to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Spokesperson for EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, on Friday.
The money was meant for the payment of Kogi state workers, but was allegedly domiciled in an interest-yielding account with Sterling Bank plc.
The Kogi state government, through the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Idris Asiru, denied knowledge of the fixed deposit account with the said bank.
The EFCC has withdrawn its suit seeking the forfeiture of the N20 billion bailout funds granted to the Kogi state government by Sterling Bank.
Uwujaren said the return of the money to the CBN would effectively put to rest the campaign of misinformation and unconscionable denials by the Kogi state government that no funds were recovered from its bail out account.
He added that the CBN in a letter referenced, DFD/DIR/CON/EXT/01/099 and dated Nov. 9, 2021, confirmed to the EFCC Chairman, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, that it had received the money.
The letter reads in part: “We refer to your letter dated Nov. 5, 2021 with Ref. No: CR:3000/EFCC/LS/CMU/REC-STE/VOL.4/047 on the above subject and wish to confirm the details of the receipt of the amount as stated below: Bank: Sterling Bank Plc; Amount: N19, 333, 333,333.36; Date of receipt: 04 Nov., 2021.
“The return of the money to the apex bank is in compliance with the Oct. 15, 2021 order of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
“The court directed the unfreezing of the Kogi state salary bail-out account to enable Sterling Bank to remit the balance in the account to the CBN.
“Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke gave the order pursuant to an application filed by the EFCC, ” he said.
Uwujaren added that the commission had told the court that the management of Sterling Bank Plc, where the account was domiciled, had acknowledged the existence of the said account with the staggering sum in its books.
“The Commission further brought to the attention of the court that the said amount is still standing in the credit of the account frozen.
“The management of Sterling Bank PIc, has, pursuant to a letter dated Sept. 15, 2021, signed by its Managing Director, indicated its intention to return the total amount back to CBN, ” he said.
He noted that the EFCC prayed the court that it “is expedient for the instant suit to be discontinued and the account unfrozen”.
This was to enable the management of Sterling Bank effect the transfer/ return of the sum of N19, 333, 333, 333.36 back to the coffers of the CBN, from where the said bailout funds were disbursed.
The transfer, according to Uwujaren, has put a stop to any further controversy regarding the source and ownership of the funds and most importantly, aborted the funds dissipation.
Justice Tijani Garba Ringim, a vacation Judge, had on Aug. 31, 2021, ordered the freezing of the account, following an ex-parte application filed by the EFCC.
The EFCC, in a 13-paragraph affidavit in support of the ex-parte application, had stated that it received a credible and direct intelligence, which led to the tracing of the funds reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities in account No. 0073572696 domiciled in Sterling Bank, with the name of Kogi State Salary Bailout Account.
After listening to the EFCC’s application, Justice Ringim on Aug. 31, 2021, ordered the freezing of the account and directed the publication of the order in a national newspaper by the EFCC. (NAN)
CRIME
Police Nab Woman, Accomplice Over Alleged Gunrunning in Delta

The Delta Police Command have confirmed the arrest of a woman and her accomplice over alleged case of gun-running in Okpanam community, near Asaba.
Command spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, who disclosed this in a statement in Asaba on Monday said that the suspects were nabbed last Friday during a sting operation by operatives of the Command’s Special Assignment Team.
“At about 1600hrs of 13/6/2025, operatives of the Commissioner of Police’s special assignment team embarked on a sting operation at Okpanam community, near Asaba, the state capital.
“During the operation, the team effected the arrest of one Ekene Chioma, (f), a 36 years old native of Issele-Uku community and one Okafor Jonathan (m), an 18 year old native of Onicha-Ugbo community both in Aniocha North LGA of Delta State.
“Upon search, two English Single Barrell guns and one hundred and ten live cartridges were recovered from the suspects,” he stated.
Edafe said that police preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were suspected of being involved in the business of gun running.
He said the suspects and the exhibits recovered were taken into custody while investigation is ongoing.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Escalating Insecurity in Benue worries Mark

Former Senate President, David Mark, has once again expressed deep concern over the continued and escalating killings of citizens in Benue.
This is contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Paul Mumeh, in Kano on Monday.
He urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to check the deteriorating security situation in the state.
The former Senate president described the killings as “senseless, tragic, and unacceptable.
”Mark emphasised that the primary responsibility of any government is the welfare and security of its citizens.
“This is the unfortunate reality the Benue people are confronted with. Government must rise to its responsibility,” he said.
Mark urged the Federal Government to fulfil its constitutional obligation to safeguard the lives and property of all Nigerians.
He called on the state government, under the leadership of Gov. Hyacinth Alia, to intensify its efforts in ensuring the safety of the people.
Mark appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, and stakeholders to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies to apprehend and prosecute the culprits.
He offered a message of solidarity and resilience.“This is a trying moment for our people.
“We must unite, mobilise, and speak with one voice against the invaders. We must refuse to bow to fear,” he said.
He urged the people to remain law-abiding, stay united, and uphold the enduring spirit of being their brother’s keeper.( NAN)
DEFENCE
Ohanaeze Decries Benue Killings, Urges urgent Government Action

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has decried the wanton killings in Benue, urging the Federal and Benue State Governments to end the needless bloodletting forthwith.
The group made the call in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, and made available to newsmen in Enugu on Monday.
According to Chukwu, Ohanaeze unreservedly condemns the horrifying massacre of over 100 people and burning of houses by gunmen, who reportedly invaded Yelwata Community in the early hours of Saturday.
“The deadly night attack, which has caused massive displacement, in addition to the loss of innocent lives and property, is seen by Ohanaeze as callous, inhuman and unacceptable.
“Human life remains sacrosanct, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or social status.
“This idea of ruthless mass bloodletting at any slightest provocation is ungodly and antithetical to national conviviality in a multi-ethnic country as ours,” Chukwu stated.
He added that Ohanaeze decried the prolonged inability of government and security agencies to stem the escalation of attacks in Benue and other parts of the country.
The statement explained that there would be dire consequences of the incessant attacks to the progress and wellbeing of the Nigerian state, if not contained.
“We, therefore, call on government and stakeholders at different levels to put in place adequate measures that would address this theatre of carnage, by finding a lasting solution to the vicious circle of violence between herders and farmers.
“Benue Government and stakeholders may, as a matter of urgency, collaborate with the Federal Government and security agencies to convoke a national dialogue on the unending destruction of lives and property in the state,” he added. (NAN)