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From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
Ondo State Security Network, also known as Operation Amotekun has apprehended 39 fleeing suspected terrorists in a forest within the state.
Men of the Amotekun security network arrested the suspected terrorists at Elegbeka forest in Ose Local Government of the state.
The Commandant of Amotekun corps, Adetunji Adeleye said those arrested confirmed they had fled their respective states due to ongoing airstrikes against terrorists.
He disclosed that the arrested suspects were between the ages of 18 and 45, stating that they were hiding in the forest with two vehicles parked at a distance.
He noted that the sudden influx of the suspected criminal elements raised many questions being investigated by the command.
“A couple of days ago, 39 suspects were arrested altogether, claiming that as a result of the heat turned on them in the northern part of the country, they are relocating to the forest.
“We are still profiling them, and after profiling, we may send some back. But those found with incriminating equipment and materials will surely be prosecuted.
“The government has made its position known,that for you to stay in our forest areas, you must obtain permits. So, the sudden influx of these elements poses a lot of questions that we are still working on,” he said.
On other suspected criminals, Adeleye disclosed that about 100 of them were arrested across the 18 local governments of the state, out of which 61 were paraded.
He said 50 were apprehended for breaches of law and order, two for anti-open grazing violations, six for kidnapping-related cases and three for gender abuse and rape.
— AS Police arrest 3,490 for sundry offences in Ekiti
Commissioner of Police (CP) in Ekiti, Joseph Eribo, yesterday, said that the command arrested 3,490 suspects for various offences across the state in 2025.
Eribo disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti, during a news conference to review the command’s activities in 2025, while giving an outlook for improved policing in 2026.
He assured residents of sustained efforts to keep Ekiti safe and peaceful in the coming year.
Meanwhile, the CP commended the media for their support, describing journalists as critical partners in crime prevention and public enlightenment.
According to him,“Ekiti’s reputation as one of the safest states was achieved through collaboration with law-abiding citizens, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups and the media.
He also acknowledged the dedication of officers and men of the command.
Eribo commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji as well as the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for their continuous support, which he said contributed to the successes recorded by the command during the year.
He said that although no society is completely crime-free, the command had recorded a significant reduction in major crimes in 2025, compared to 2024.
He noted that there wass a decline in murder cases from 53 to 37, kidnapping from 17 to seven, armed robbery from 18 to seven , rape from 41 to 31, among others.
According to him, swift response, intelligence-led policing and decisive action had helped in confronting criminal activities and reducing their recurrence.
He added that all arrested suspects were thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in line with the law.
Highlighting major breakthroughs, he cited the arrest of a notorious robbery and kidnapping syndicate in Ado-Ekiti, recovery of stolen vehicles as well as motorcycles.
He said others are the apprehension of suspected burglars and kidnappers across different parts of the state as well as recovery of phones and electrical installations worth millions of naira.
The commissioner said that the command would intensify proactive policing through visibility patrols, raids of criminal hideouts, stop-and-search operations and sustained community policing initiatives, while also leveraging technology to combat crime.
Eribo urged the media to uphold ethical standards, avoid misinformation and prioritise accuracy over speed, stressing that responsible reportage was essential for public safety and democratic stability.
He called on residents to remain law-abiding and continue supporting the police, adding that officers had been directed to act professionally and respect citizens’ rights.
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N8.7bn fraud: Court orders ex AGF Malami, Son, associate to spend New Year in Kuje prison
From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has ordered the remand of former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), his son, Abubakar Abdul-aziz Malami and Hajiya Bashir Asabe in Kuje prison until January 2, 2026.
Hajiya Bashir Asabe, is said to be an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, a firm allegedly linked to the former minister.
The implication is that the defendants will spend the New Year’s Day in prison custody.
Justice Emeka Nwite made the remand order while ruling on an oral bail application made by counsel to the defendants, Joseph Daudu (SAN).
In his ruling , Justice Nwite said it would serve the interest of justice and fair hearing to allow the prosecution respond to the formal bail application earlier filed by the defendants
In addition, the judge said,”I have listened to the submissions of the learned counsel for both sides and also gone through the relevant laws. It is not in dispute that a bail application has been filed by the defendants.
“It is also not in dispute that the bail application has been served on the prosecution. It is not in dispute that the application cannot be withdrawn by the defendants,” he said.
The judge said that although the court could exercise its power by granting bail, the exercise of such power would be possible after the prosecution has responded to the bail application filed by the defence.
Justice Nwite said it would amount to an ambush for the court to grant the bail application while the prosecution was yet to file a response to the defence’s bail application.
He added, “This will breach the right to a fair hearing against the prosecution. I am of the view that the interest of justice will be met by allowing the prosecution to respond to the bail application filed.”
The defendants were earlier arraigned on a 16-count money laundering charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC is among others, claiming that Malami and his two co-defendants conspired to disguise the origin of funds, acquire properties indirectly, and retain sums they allegedly knew were proceeds of unlawful activity, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Acts of 2011 (as amended) and 2022.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge, following which prosecuting counsel,, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), applied for a date for the commencement of trial.
Daudu then told the court about his intention to apply for bail for the defendants.
Responding, Iheanacho said he had yet to respond to the formal bail application filed by the defendants and applied for an adjournment to enable him respond to the bail application.
Iheanacho said, “In view of the non-guilty plea of the defendants, may we apply for a trial date for the defendants.
“I know we received an application for bail, and we will be seeking your lordship’s indulgence for a date to respond.
“We got the application yesterday around 3 pm. We will be asking for a date to respond.”
Daudu then said even though a formal bail application had been filed by the defendant, he could equally make an oral application, citing a 1995 case involving Abiola Vs. Federal Republic of Nigeria.
.After listening to the lawyers of both sides, Justice Nwite suspended proceedings briefly but returned later to deliver the ruling.
The EFCC had filed a 16-count charge against Malami, his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe, alleging large-scale money laundering and the unlawful acquisition of properties valued at over N8.7 billion.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, accused the defendants of conspiring to conceal, disguise, retain, and indirectly acquire proceeds of unlawful activities through multiple bank accounts, corporate entities, and high-value real estate transactions over nearly a decade.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences were committed between 2015 and 2025, largely within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, during Malami’s tenure as the nation’s chief law officer.
The EFCC alleged that Malami and his son used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal N1.014 billion lodged in a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025, as well as an additional N600.01 million deposited between September 2020 and February 2021.
The defendants were also accused of retaining N600 million as cash collateral for a N500 million loan obtained by Rayhaan Hotels Ltd from Sterling Bank Plc, allegedly knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.
In another count, the commission alleged that between November 2022 and October 2025, the defendants indirectly controlled N1.36 billion paid through the Union Bank account of Meethaq Hotels Ltd, which it said was illicit in origin.
Several counts relate to the alleged acquisition of high-end properties in Abuja and other locations, purportedly to disguise the source and beneficial ownership of the funds.
These included payments of N500 million for a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama; N700 million for a property at Onitsha Crescent, Garki; and N850 million for a property in Jabi District.
Other alleged acquisitions include: properties at Rhine Street, Maitama (N430 million); Asokoro District (N210 million and N325 million); and Efab Estate, Gwarimpa (N120 million).
The EFCC further alleged that Malami utilised unlawful proceeds, totalling N952 million to acquire multiple properties in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi,between 2018 and 2023, using proxies and corporate fronts to obscure ownership.
Bashir Asabe described as an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd, was alleged to have played a key role in facilitating the property acquisitions and disguising ownership on Malami’s behalf.
The commission said the alleged offences contravened provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
It listed investigators, bank officials, bureau de change operators, and company representatives among its proposed witnesses.
GNI building fire: Lagos warns residents, passers-by to keep 50 metres away
By Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has appealed to residents and passers-by around the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) House, which was recently gutted by fire in Balogun Market area of Lagos Island, to stay, at least, 50 metres away from the affected building .
The General Manager of LASBCA, Builder, Gbaye Florence, made the appeal on Monday in Lagos, explaining that the precautionary measure is necessary pending the outcome of a technical integrity test to be conducted by the Lagos State Government to determine the structural strength and stability of the 25-storey building.
According to her, the structural stability of the building cannot be ascertained until the required assessments are carried out, hence the need to restrict human movement around the premises to safeguard lives and property.
Gbaye stressed that the safety of Lagos residents remains a top priority of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, noting that LASBCA, as a regulatory agency in the built environment, will continue to enforce safety standards and compliance among building owners and developers across the state.
She added that the agency would ensure strict adherence to the Lagos State Building Codes and regulations by making certain that all approvals granted by the state government are fully complied with during construction.
“The Lagos State Government will not tolerate any disregard for its building laws by stakeholders in the built environment. This is part of efforts to reduce incidents of building collapse to the barest minimum and ultimately to zero, as such occurrences have led to avoidable loss of lives and property,” she said.
LASBCA assured the public that it would continue to take proactive measures to compel compliance and protect residents, while urging members of the public to cooperate with authorities by observing the safety directive around the GNI building.
