Crime
1,617 civil servants with fake employment letters uncovered by FG

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, Tuesday said that a total of 1,618 civil servants with fake employment letters were uncovered by the government.
She also noted that the government was working towards an upward review of the Duty Tour Allowances of civil servants.
Speaking with selected journalists in Abuja ahead of the 2023 Civil Servants Week, she noted that a committee was working towards salary harmonization in the civil service.
“The Presidential Committee on Salary Harmonization is working to review salaries to reduce the disparity. Earlier, 40 per cent of Basic salary approved by FEC as Peculiar allowance with effect from January 2023. Also, we are working towards Upward Review of Staff Duty Tour Allowance.
“On the issue of procurement of insurance cover for the federal government employees from 9th February 2023 to 8th February 2024; and payment of backlog of death benefits to over 1500 deceased officers to their beneficiaries from 2021 to date. On the third pillar of FCSSIP 25, the Office of the Head of Service has been working towards the implementation of HR Module of IPPIS with a view to bridging the identified gaps in the system. As you are aware, prior to the introduction of the current mechanisms put in place to drive the implementation of the IPPIS, the system was bedevilled with considerable leakages and wastes as well as the incessant infiltration of ‘ghost workers’ etc.
“Consequent upon the identified loopholes in the IPPIS, the Office introduced control mechanisms. Notable among others was the inauguration of a Committee on Enrolment of Newly Recruited Civil Servants on the 1st of March, 2021. Hence, this and other initiatives in accelerating the roll-out of the HR Module of the IPPIS has brought about the following: Detection of 1,618 fake/illegal employment letters; Continuous suspension of Officers from IPPIS platform for not uploading their records; Verification of 69,854 officers across the core MDAs in FCT and the six (6) geo-political zones.”
Meanwhile, the Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, on Tuesday noted that there won’t be a delay in payment of July 2023 salaries for civil servants. She made this clarification during the meeting with the HOS Abuja.
It was earlier reported that there were delays in the payment of May 2023 and June 2023 salaries.
Madein noted that the delay in May and June 2023 salaries were due to some bottlenecks beyond the control of the Office of the Accountant General. She, however, noted that modalities have been put in place to ensure that salaries are paid as and when due.
She said, “For May and June, we encountered some difficulties beyond our control but I can assure you that everything has been put in place to ensure that July 2023 salaries are not delayed and will be paid any moment from now.”
Crime
Arise TV News Staff Murder: FCT Police Arrest 12 Suspects
The four suspects admitted that they each received ₦200,000 from the proceeds of the crime.

• Exhibits recovered from suspects/ FCT Police photo.
FCT Police declared on Thursday that operatives of the scorpion squad led by ACP Victor Godfrey , has successfully arrested twelve (12) of the armed robbers that were involved in the murder of Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu , an Arise TV staff (anchor, reporter, and producer) which occurred at unique apartment Gishiri village, Katampe district, Abuja.
The September 29 robbery incident also led to the death of one Mr. Barnabas Danlami – a security guard on duty.
The suspects are:
- 1.Shamsudeen Hassan ‘m’ from Malumfashi LGA Katsina state
- 2 . Hassan Isah ‘m’, 22 years from Zaria kaduna State.
- 3. Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. abba ‘m’, 27 years from Musawa LGA katsina state
- 4. Sani Sirajo a.k.a. dan borume ‘m’ 20 years from Malumfashi LGA katsina state
- 5. Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. abba ‘m’ 28 years from Igabi LGA kaduna state
- 6. Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. dan-sule ‘m’ 21 years from Malumfashi LGA katsina state
- 7. Abdul Salam saleh a.k.a. na-durudu ‘m’ from katsina lga katsina State
- 8. Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. gwaska ‘m’ 23 years from chikun lga kaduna state
- 9. Musa adamu a.k.a. musa hassan ‘m’ 30 years from malumfashi lga katsina state
- 10. Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. baby ‘m’ 27 years from Sammaka LGA, Kaduna state
- 11. Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. abbati ‘m’, 25 years from Zaria LGA, Kaduna state
- 12. Musa Umar a.k.a. small ‘m’ 31 years from Maiduguri LGA Borno state.
- Police source told Ohibaba.com that shortly after the robbery incident, four (4) of the suspects shamsudeen Hassan, Alkamu, Sirajo and one other person were apprehended through the tracking of phones stollen from the apartment during the robbery.
- It said that during interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed that he shot the security guard when he attempted to prevent them from gaining access to the apartment.
Sani Sirajo confessed to have tried to hold Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu from falling off the three-storey building but was overwhelmed by her weight.
Shamsudeen further confessed that he drove the white honda CR-V jeep out of the apartment after the operation.
The four suspects admitted that they each received ₦200,000 from the proceeds of the crime.
Recovered exhibits include:
One (1) fabricated ak-47 rifle
Thirty-six (36) rounds of 9mm live ammunition
One (1) locally made pistol
One (1) pump-action gun
Two (2) live cartridges
Four (4) mobile phones of the victims
Two (2) sharp knives
One (1) cutlass
Nine (9) torchlights used during the operation
In continuation of investigations, yesterday, 08/10/2025, acting on a tip-off and actionable digital intelligence also provided by us, the remaining members of the gang, Musa umar a.k.a. small, Hassan Isah and other accomplices involved in the gishiri robbery were intercepted while en route to an already planned armed robbery operation scheduled to hold at maitama in the early hours of this morning.
All suspects have confessed to the crimes, investigation is ongoing, and further developments will be communicated.”
Crime
BREAKING: Judge sentences Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to over 4 years in prison

American music mogul and businessman, Sean Combs, popularly known as “P-Diddy” was sentenced on Friday to 50 months in prison on prostitution charges under the Mann Act.
Recall that Combs was convicted earlier this year on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said the court had seen a “massive” amount of evidence against Combs and added that a significant sentence was required to be a deterrence and to send a message.
“A substantial sentence must be given to send a message to abusers and victims alike that abuse against women is met with real accountability,” the judge said,
Along with serving four years and two months in prison, Combs also must pay a $500,000 fine.
In his final remarks to Combs, Subramanian noted that he will still have a life after prison, adding “there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
After the judge read his sentence, Combs appeared dejected and worn out as he turned to his mother and children, letting out a sigh and telling them, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry,”.
Subramanian cited law that says no limitation can be placed on the “background, character and conduct” that a judge can consider in sentencing. He said the sentence is fair for the severity of Combs’ crimes and other mitigating factors.
During Combs’ sentencing hearing, the judge heard from the rapper’s children as well as multiple defense lawyers and other character witnesses.
The defense argued that Combs should be free for his family’s sake and that he has changed and deserves a second chance to be better.
Defense lawyer Brian Steel argued that “Combs has punished himself more than anyone will be able to punish him and it will stay with him for the rest of his days.
Mr. Combs does not need any additional time in custody. That is not the way we treat drug addiction and trauma today.
”Before the judge gave his sentence, Combs was given a chance to speak, saying that he has lost his business, his career, destroyed his reputation and lost his self-respect.
‘I’ve been stripped down to nothing,” he added.
“I want to thank you for finally giving me a chance to speak up for myself. One of the hardest things I’ve had to handle is to be quiet, not able to express how sorry I am for my actions,” Combs said.
Combs was sentenced under the Mann Act, which makes it illegal to transport someone across state lines for the purpose of prostitution or other illegal sex acts.
He was convicted on counts involving two former girlfriends, R&B singer Cassie and a woman who testified under the pseudonym Jane.
During the sentencing hearing, federal prosecutors argued that the hip-hop mogul deserved at least 11 years in prison and his defense lawyers asked for a sentence of no more than 14 months,
“Mr. Combs, you’re being sentenced for the offenses of conviction, NOT the crimes he was acquitted of.
However, under law, the court ‘shall consider’ the nature of the offense and characteristics of the defendant,” Subramanian said as he sentenced Combs,
Crime
Court Rules Nnamdi Kanu Has Case to Answer in Terrorism Trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), must face trial in his ongoing terrorism case.
Delivering the ruling on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho dismissed Kanu’s no-case submission, stating that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence linking him to terrorism-related activities. The judge ordered Kanu to open his defence on October 8, 2025.
According to Justice Omotosho, the prosecution’s exhibits and witness testimonies raise “serious allegations” that merit a full trial.
In a separate directive, the court also ordered the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to constitute a special medical team to evaluate Kanu’s current health condition. The judge mandated the committee to submit its report within eight days.
The court instructed that the medical panel, consisting of 8 to 10 members including a cardiologist and a neurologist, must assess whether the Department of State Services (DSS) medical facility is adequately equipped to manage Kanu’s health needs. The committee is also empowered to use any medical facility in the country during its investigation.
Justice Omotosho further directed that the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Abuja, be included as a member of the committee. Based on the committee’s findings, the court will determine whether Kanu should be transferred to the National Hospital for further treatment.
The trial continues amidst growing public and international attention surrounding Kanu’s detention and the broader implications for the separatist movement he leads.
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