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JUST IN: Corruption Trial: EFCC Set To Appeal Oronsaye’s Acquittal In N2bn Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is ready to appeal the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja, which on Monday, acquitted a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Steve Oronsaye of  N2bn money laundering charge brought against him and others by the Commission.

While dismissing the charge, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the Commission failed to establish the charges against the defendants.

However, in a statement, the EFCC’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren said the the trial judge erred by overlooking the evidence of the 21 witnesses called by the prosecution in the course of the trial as well as the confessional statement of one of the defendants, Osarenkhoe Afe.

He said that the Commission has therefore decided to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.

Oronsaye’s corruption trial commenced in 2015 when he was arraigned alongside the Managing Director of Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, Osarenkhoe Afe and three companies – Cluster Logistic Limited; Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited, and Drew Investment & Construction Company Limited.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants had between 2010 and 2011 used some firms to divert public funds through procurement fraud.

The EFCC equally accused Orosanye and the others of using inflated biometrics enrolment contracts, collective allowances, and other schemes to siphon money from accounts containing pensioners’ funds.

But Justice Ekwo held that the anti-graft agency failed to supply the court, with ingredients that could establish the alleged corruption charges against Oronsaye.

The judge subsequently dismissed the charges in relation to Oronsaye, discharged and acquitted him.

Crime

Terrorists Kidnap 40 Worshippers During Dawn Prayers in Zamfara

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About 40 worshippers were abducted by suspected terrorists at a mosque in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, during early morning prayers.

The attack reportedly occurred around 5:30 a.m. when gunmen stormed the mosque, surrounded it, and took the worshippers hostage. The captors are said to have taken the victims into nearby forests around the Gohori axis in Tsafe LGA.

This incident has plunged the rural community into fear and despair, especially as local leaders and some armed groups had recently engaged in peace talks aimed at reducing violence during the farming season.

Efforts to obtain confirmation or comment from Zamfara Police authorities were unsuccessful.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent Yazid Abubakar, did not respond to calls or messages seeking information on the abduction.

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Crime

JUST IN: FBI Releases Video of Charlie Kirk Shooter, Recovers Weapons Nearby (Photos)

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The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office on Friday released video footage of the man suspected of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk fleeing a rooftop after the incident on September 10, 2025.

The bureau, in a statement accompanied by the video link shared on X on Friday, noted that the video shows the shooter climbing onto a rooftop shortly before the attack and then jumping off and fleeing the scene after firing the fatal shots.

Investigators also reportedly found the weapon and ammunition used in the shooting in a wooded area near the university.

The agency wrote, “The FBI has released a video and more photos of the shooter in the Utah Valley shooting. The subject is seen jumping from the rooftop of a building after the shooting.

Person of interest in Charlie Kirk's murder case
FBI releases new photos of person of interest in Charlie Kirk’s murder case.
Person of interest in Charlie Kirk's murder case
FBI releases new photos of person of interest in Charlie Kirk’s murder case.

“Around 12 pm Mountain Time on September 10, 2025, the subject climbed up to a rooftop; after he shot and killed Charlie Kirk, he jumped off and ran away. He left a gun and ammunition in a wooded area near the university.

“Trace evidence collected from the rooftop scene included shoe impressions, a forearm imprint, and a palm print. Anyone with information in this case should call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit fbi.gov/utahvalleyshooting.”

Person of interest in Charlie Kirk's murder case
FBI releases new photos of person of interest in Charlie Kirk’s murder case.
Person of interest in Charlie Kirk's murder case
FBI releases new photos of person of interest in Charlie Kirk’s murder case.

The bureau added that it is working closely with law enforcement partners to seek justice in the murder of Charlie Kirk.

Credit: X| FBISaltLakeCity

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Ghana Court Jails Three Nigerians 96 years for Car Thefts

All three convicts : Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze, are currently serving their sentences at the Kumasi Central Prison.

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Three Nigerians – Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze, have been sentenced to a combined jail term of 96 years for their involvement in car theft within the Kumasi Metropolis in Ghana.

Ohibaba.com learned that a statement signed by the Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Ashanti Regional Police, Godwin Ahianyo, and obtained on Tuesday, said that the Atasemanso Circuit Court sitting in Ghana delivered the sentence.

This is coming amidst a recent protest by Ghanaians over the involvement of Nigerians in alleged criminal activities.

According to Ahianyo, the trio were arrested on June 20 following suspicions that they were involved in targeting and stealing parked vehicles.

The trio were subsequently arraigned before the circuit court on July 22, but only Ekenze pleaded guilty to the charges pressed against him.

Ahianyo stated, “On July 22, 2025, the suspects Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze were arraigned before the Atasemanso Circuit Court.“

During proceedings, Russell Ekenze pleaded guilty to the charges and was immediately convicted and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in hard labour. The other two suspects, Francis Friday and Linus Agwazie, pleaded not guilty.

“Subsequently, on July 23, 2025, the cases of Francis Friday and Linus Agwazie were heard at Circuit Court 3, where both were found guilty and each was sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment on two counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.

”He added that the three suspects were further arraigned on additional charges in another court and were each sentenced to 20 years.

“On the same day, Circuit Court 1 also heard additional charges against all three suspects, resulting in 20-year IHL sentences each, also on two counts, and to run concurrently.“

Finally, on July 24, 2025, Russell Ekenze was further convicted at Circuit Court 2, receiving an additional 10-year IHL sentence on two counts, to run concurrently with his existing sentence.

“All three convicts, Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze, are currently serving their sentences at the Kumasi Central Prison,” the statement read.

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