CRIME
Magu: Salami Panel Yet to Submit Report After 94 Days
By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
Ninety-four days after, Justice Ayo Salami-led investigative panel that probed the suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has not submitted its report to the President.
The panel sat for over 60 days before Magu was served a copy of the 22-point allegations levelled against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami.
President Muhammadu Buhari signed the letter of instrument on July 3, 2020 and named the panel as commission of inquiry to look into alleged mismanagement of recovered assets against Magu; and Magu was arrested on Monday, July 6, 2020 and taken before the panel, while the letter of invitation was made available to Magu on Saturday, August 8.
After exhausting the earlier 45 days given to it to conclude the probe, the President extended the period of sitting following a request by Justice Salami led panel. The President later granted six weeks extension to the panel to conclude their findings but couple of days after the expiration of the extension last Friday, the panel is yet conclude and submit its report to the President.
According to a source, ”Though the tenure of the panel had expired, Salami and other members have continued to hold sessions in order to enjoy the sitting allowances and other pecks attached to the assignment.”
But more than 90 days since that period, the panel is yet to have a clear-cut direction or convince observers that it was not established to witch-hunt or persecute individuals regarded as enemies by some top government officials.
A situation that has caused many pundits to raise suspicion over what they described as ”a hiding agenda project.”
The inquiry into Magu’s stewardship is dragging and giving room for speculations
as legal experts are saying that being a panel of inquiry, Justice Salami has no reason to delay such a probe.
The development further prompted one of the leading national newspapers to state in its editorial opinion that, “Whatever may be the issues in this unfortunate saga, the crux of an anti-corruption commitment ought to be a strict adherence to the rule of law. So, the irreducible minimum in the investigation of Magu, and the EFCC, is that there be transparency and that justice be served at the end.
”Therefore, leaving the issue to speculations and conjectures is very much unhelpful. And the manner the Presidential Investigation Committee is being carried out leaves many questions hanging. If for close to six months the panel is still sitting and is not sure of when it would conclude its assignment, is the investigation open-ended?”
The delay by Justice Salami panel to conclude its inquiry and submit its findings to Mr President has continued to stir up suspicion.
Saharareporters, had on Monday, alleged in a news story titled: ”Nigeria’s Attorney-General, Malami, Sets Up Committee To Write Report For Salami-led Panel In Magu’s Probe, ” saying that the report by Malami’s committee will be adopted and submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the online news, ”the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), has constituted an in-house panel to write a report for the Justice Ayo Salami-led investigative panel probing suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu.
Quoting sources, it said that ”the report by Malami’s committee will be adopted and submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari.
It was further gathered that the AGF was using his closeness to the President and the inability of Justice Salami to function optimally due to age constraints to turn the entire case on its head in a bid to nail Magu.
Accusing the panel of bias, another lawyer representing Magu, Wahab Shittu, in a letter dated September 4, 2020, called for Malami to appear before the panel to ensure a fair hearing.
But Malami declined to honour Justice Salam’s invitation to appear before the panel to substantiate the allegations he made against Magu, instead he wrote a letter where he gave reasons for his refusal.
CRIME
Delta Police Arrest School Bus Driver over Minor’s Kidnapping, Assault
A 28-year-old school bus driver, Onome Ughagha, has been arrested by operatives of the Delta State Police Command for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female student in Sapele.
The suspect allegedly demanded and collected ₦503,000 in ransom from the student’s father before abandoning her along Oton Road, Sapele.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement in Warri on Sunday.
According to Edafe, the incident was reported at the Sapele Area Command on October 20, 2026, by the victim’s father, who alleged that the suspect abducted his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school.
“The suspect subsequently contacted him (the father), demanded ₦503,000 and threatened to kill the minor if the ransom was not paid,” the statement added.
The police said the girl was abandoned along Oton Road after the ransom was paid and later reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications that she had been sexually assaulted.
Following the report, operatives of the Sapele Area Command commenced an investigation, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.
The school principal and vice-principal were also invited for questioning as the police intensified efforts to apprehend the suspect, who had reportedly abandoned the school bus and fled.
Edafe said the operatives, acting on credible intelligence, traced Ughagha to his hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on October 23, 2026.
The suspect reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime during preliminary interrogation.
The police spokesman added that arrangements were being made to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, condemned the incident and reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting children from all forms of violence and exploitation.
The commissioner assured that “investigations will be thorough and that anyone found culpable will be brought to justice”.
He also urged school authorities, parents and transport operators to “exercise greater vigilance in safeguarding children”, stressing that the safety of every child entrusted to their care must remain paramount.
CRIME
Enugu CP Orders investigation into Man’s Death During Police Operation
From Sylvia Udegbunam Enugu
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Nnaji Izuchukwu (male) during an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Oficer, Enugu State command, Daniel Ndukwe said that the CP has directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID) to establish the facts of the incident and determine whether the operation and use of firearms complied with established operational standards and extant laws.
Preliminary findings indicate that operatives, acting on credible intelligence, raided Bull Hotel, Asata, Enugu, where Nworie Chidera Kelvin, a.k.a. “Akidi,” an alleged notorious drug peddler and Vikings Confraternity member, was lodged with associates. Akidi is reportedly linked to multiple cases involving unlawful firearm possession and cultism, including one in which he was charged in absentia.
He was also suspected of keeping the gang’s firearms and other criminal tools. The operation led to the arrest of Akidi and nine other suspects, comprising males and females aged 17–28. Quantities of dried weeds suspected to be “loud” cannabis, a weighing scale suspected to be used for measuring illicit drugs, and ₦43,400 in various denominations were recovered.
During the operation, Nnaji and another suspect jumped through a window in an attempt to escape. While pursuing them, an operative was confronted by both suspects, who allegedly attempted to disarm him. In the ensuing struggle, the firearm discharged, leaving Nnaji with gunshot injuries, while the other suspect escaped. Nnaji was rushed to hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. His remains have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
CP Giwa has urged the deceased’s family, associates and other concerned persons to remain calm, assuring them that the circumstances surrounding the incident will be thoroughly investigated and that any officer found culpable will face appropriate disciplinary action. He reiterated that professionalism, ethical conduct and strict adherence to operational standards, particularly those governing the use of firearms, must never be compromised in any police operation.
CRIME
Police Officer Shoots Female Colleague to Death, Kills Self in Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi State Police Command has confirmed a tragic incident that claimed the lives of two police officers in Ajaokuta Local Government Area after a male officer allegedly shot his female colleague, before turning gun to shoot himself.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Aliu Afusat, an Assistant Superintendent of Police(ASP), on Sunday, said the Command was investigating the fatal shooting at ASCO Camp, Ajaokuta, on October 23, in which two serving police officers died.
According to the statement, “the incident was reported at 11:04 p.
m., and the Divisional Police Officer, Ajaokuta, led a team of police officcers to the scene.“Preliminary findings indicate that Corporal Amos Yusuf, who was on night duty, shot Woman Corporal Grace Onimisi and thereafter shot himself. Both officers were taken to separate medical facilities, where they were confirmed dead by medical personnel. Their remains have been deposited at the mortuary of ASCO Hospital.
“An AK-47 rifle and four expended cartridges were recovered at the scene as exhibits.
“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for in-depth investigation. The circumstances and motive remain subjects of investigation, and the Command will not speculate on matters yet to be established.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, extends his condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased officers over this tragic incident. The Command will provide verified updates as appropriate” the statement said.


