Photo: EFCC Chairman , Ola Olukoyede

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede, says that the Commission is investigating 100 senior lawyers for corruption-related offences.

In an address in Abuja during the second annual lecture of the Body of Benchers, the EFCC chairman expressed concern over the growing involvement of lawyers in financial crimes.

He noted that the anti-graft agency had received multiple petitions against members of the profession.

“We have had calls to investigate quite a number of senior members of the Bar,” he said.

Olukoyede, a lawyer, added that investigations uncovered offences ranging from the diversion of clients’ funds to aiding money laundering.

“Before I came here, I checked our database and discovered that we have about 100 senior members of the Bar that we are prosecuting at the moment for those offences.

“It has become very necessary for us to work together,” he said.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his wife, and their son pending the continuation of the trial on March 16.

The former AGF is being prosecuted by the EFCC alongside his wife and son on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged N9 billion money laundering.

At the resumed sitting, the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, directed the EFCC to call its first witness after counsel to Malami, Joseph Daudu, attempted to draw the court’s attention to the defendants’ pending bail application.

The judge, however, reminded counsel that she had earlier ruled that the bail application and other motions would be taken after the prosecution’s first witness had given his evidence-in-chief.

Following the ruling, the EFCC called its first witness, David Ajoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank, Abuja, who told the court that he had worked with the bank for three years and handles compliance requests from law enforcement agencies.

According to him, the bank subsequently forwarded the requested documents, including the account opening package, loan account statements, and other supporting records.

Ajoma testified that on December 2, 2025, Sterling Bank received a request from the EFCC seeking details of loan facilities granted to Rayham Hotel Limited.

The witness further told the court that the loan facility granted to Rayham Hotel Limited was backed by a cash collateral from Metropolitan Autotech.He explained that both Metropolitan Autotech and Rayham Hotel Limited maintain separate accounts with Sterling Bank, adding that the signatory to the Metropolitan Autotech account is one Hassan Aliyu.

The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed four officers from the Nigeria Police Force for their alleged involvement in the unlawful killing of seven traders at Owode-Onirin Market in the Kosofe Local Government Area.

The incident occurred in August 2025 during a violent clash reportedly involving suspected land grabbers and local traders at the bustling motor spare parts market.

The officers, who were allegedly brought in from Nasarawa State by the principal suspect identified as Hakim Abiodun Ariori, are accused of opening fire indiscriminately on the traders.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, confirmed the dismissals on Thursday while briefing journalists at the Police Officers’ Mess in Ikeja.

He described the shooting as the “unlawful killing of innocent traders” and stated that the four officers had been in custody at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, where internal disciplinary proceedings were conducted, leading to their dismissal.

Jimoh emphasized that investigations into the matter are nearing completion and assured the public that the case has not been swept under the carpet. He added that all suspects, including the dismissed officers, will face prosecution, with the courts open to hear the matter fully.

The tragic event initially claimed five lives, with the death toll rising to seven after two injured traders succumbed to their wounds in hospital. The dismissals represent a significant step toward accountability amid public outrage and calls for justice from civil society groups and residents.

Authorities have not yet released the names of the dismissed officers, but further details on potential criminal charges are expected as the probe concludes.