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EFCC Seals Off Saraki’s Houses In Ikoyi, Lagos

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Multiple residential houses located in highbrow Ikoyi, Lagos, allegedly owned by Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki have been sealed off by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

In his reaction, Saraki insisted that the action of the EFCC was a witch-hunt.

According to him, the property in question have been investigated by the commission several times in the past.

A statement by the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu said: “Our attention has been drawn to the fact that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has marked certain property belonging to Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, obviously under the claim that they are subject of investigation.

“The action of the EFCC only reinforced our earlier stated position that their current investigation is mischievous, contrary to the tenets of the rule of law and only aimed at settling scores. This position is founded on the fact that these same buildings were the subject of earlier investigations by the EFCC as well as the case initiated by the Federal Government at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

“Also, the case went all the way to the highest court in our country, the Supreme Court of Nigeria. In that case, Saraki was discharged and acquitted because the courts believe the government has no case.”

Saraki defected to the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party few weeks to the general elections.

Before his defection, his relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari had gone sour.

Saraki was charged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal for alleged infraction of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

The tribunal did not find him guilty of any offence.

Last week, EFCC confirmed reports that it had opened a fresh investigation into Saraki’s stewardship as Senate President as well as a probe of his earnings as governor from 2003 – 2011.

Replying to Saraki’s allegations that the ongoing probe was a witch hunt, the acting EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday said the politician was not above the law, noting that the commission was obligated by law to enthrone probity and accountability in the governance space, a duty it claimed to have pursued without ill-will or malice against anyone.

The EFCC asked Saraki not to worry over the investigation into his earnings as Kwara State Governor and his stewardship in the Senate, “so long as he has no skeletons in his cupboard.”

The commission also said it possessed indicting petitions and other evidence against the Senate President, noting that putting him through a legitimate forensic inquiry was the legitimate route to establish his integrity as a public servant.

The EFCC refuted Saraki’s claims that the probe had to do with his appointment as the International Human Rights Commission ambassador.

It stated, “It is in the interest of the public, and for Saraki’s personal good, that he is not only above board, but be seen at all times to be so.

“Indeed, all the instances in which the EFCC has had cause to sleuth into his financial activities either as a former governor or President of the Senate were driven by over-arching public interest and due process of the law.

“Against the background of the possession of indicting petitions and other evidence available to the EFCC, even Saraki will agree with the commission that putting him through a legitimate forensic inquiry is the legitimate route to establish his integrity as a public servant.”

As part of the fresh probe of Saraki, the commission had written to the Kwara State Government to furnish it what the Senate President earned while he was governor of Kwara State.

Saraki was the state governor from 2003 to 2011, before his election into the National Assembly.

The anti-graft agency stated that it was investigating Saraki for an alleged case of conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds, theft, and money laundering.

In a letter to the Kwara State government, the EFCC demanded to be furnished with a breakdown of Saraki’s income, as well as his entitlements as governor of the state.

The letter signed by the EFCC Zonal Head, Isyaku Sharu, read: “In view of the above, you are kindly requested to furnish us with the full details of all his entitlements to include but not limited to emoluments, allowances, estacodes, other fringe benefits and severance package while he held sway as the Executive Governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

“This request is made pursuant to Section 38 (1) & (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.”

BIG STORY

Security: Army Foils Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Six Victims In Taraba

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Troops from the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke successfully thwarted a “kidnap attempt” and “rescued six victims” along the Wukari-Kente road in the Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The operation, conducted on April 27, 2025, was initiated following “a distress call from the Executive Chairman of Wukari LGA alerting security forces to an attack on travellers in the area.”

“Troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base Wukari were swiftly mobilised to the scene.”

This information was conveyed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, Captain Olubodunde Oni.

“Responding swiftly, the troops launched a prompt rescue operation to the area and rescued the victims unhurt,” the statement read.

Upon arriving at the location, “troops found a white Toyota Hilux vehicle with a flat tyre abandoned by the roadside.”

“Shortly after, six individuals emerged from the nearby bush, unharmed, and identified themselves as the occupants of the vehicle,” the army said.

The victims recounted that they “were travelling from Yola to Lafia when gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers or armed robbers, ambushed them from the rear.” They “abandoned their vehicle and fled into the bush for safety.”

After confirming the area was secure, “the soldiers assisted in replacing the damaged tyre and escorted the travellers until they were safely back on their journey.”

Commander of the 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, “lauded the troops for their swift response and professionalism.” He “reiterated the brigade’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Taraba State.”

Brig. Gen. Uwa also “urged residents to support security efforts by providing timely and credible intelligence.”

“We remain resolute in our mission to ensure peace and security across Taraba State and its environs,” he assured.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: My Defection From PDP Imminent, Governor Eno Declares

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Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has “given hint of his possible defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),” noting that the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “was like a spoilt plane and may no longer has the capacity to take him to the next destination from 2027.”

Speaking against the backdrop of recent gale of defections from the PDP with the latest being the Delta State governor Sheriff Oborewori, who moved with several supporters to the APC, Pastor Eno hinted that “the heavily fragmented PDP may soon grind to a halt.”

Addressing a mammoth crowd that thronged the Town Square meeting of the Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency on Tuesday at the QIC Central School, Ikot Akpankuk, headquarters of Ukanafun local government area, the governor disclosed that “he might join the fray soon as the crucial 2027 election year inches closer.”

“If you wanted to travel with Ibom Airline, and on the verge of taking off, it developed a fault that won’t enable it to fly, won’t you board the next available plane to take you to your destination?” Eno queried.

However, the governor, who enjoined the people to remain steadfast in support of his administration in its quest to deliver on its campaign promises, doled out empowerment succour to over 400 people, including business grants, cars and other freebies.

154 constituents benefited from the Traders Grant, 116 received Farmers Grant, four got N5 million each for the MSME Grant, and 131 were beneficiaries of the Equipment Support Initiative.

He, therefore, urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the resources at their disposal, warning beneficiaries to desist from deploying it to ponzi schemes or any other unintended purposes.

He said: “We need to meet with the people from time to time to see them. It’s not only during elections that we should come to see our people. We also have to come and see you in the course of governance, to check your wellbeing, to listen to you, tell you what we have done, and what we are planning to do.

This is the fourth federal constituency we have visited, we have six more to go and we will finish all in time for the budget department to capture the needs in the 2026 budget.

“We will go through your requests and tell you the ones we have decided to do, based on available funds. We might not be able to do all, but whatever is left we will add to subsequent budgets.

“We will always work with the people because this government is of the people, for the people, and by the people,” he stated.

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BIG STORY

Court Orders EFCC To Release Aisha Achimugu Within 24 Hours

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Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has instructed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release socialite and businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu, within a 24-hour timeframe.

Justice Ekwo further directed that the involved parties must report back to the court on May 2nd to provide an update on the compliance with his order.

Previously, on Monday, Justice Ekwo had mandated Achimugu to present herself to the anti-graft agency concerning an ongoing investigation related to money laundering and other alleged offenses.

Justice Ekwo also stipulated that following her appearance at the EFCC office, the anti-graft agency was required to return with her to the court on Wednesday, April 30th, for a progress report.

It is worth noting that the EFCC apprehended Achimugu at 5 am on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The EFCC is currently investigating Achimugu regarding allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretenses, money laundering, corruption, and possessing properties reasonably suspected of being unlawfully acquired.

While she had been arrested and interrogated by the EFCC previously, she was granted administrative bail by the commission.

However, the EFCC claimed that she violated her bail conditions and subsequently declared Achimugu wanted.

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