A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 13 million dollars linked to Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Ltd, a company associated with businesswoman Aisha Achimugu. Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the money to be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that neither Oceangate Engineering nor Achimugu was able to prove that the 13 million dollars was legitimately earned. He said there was no credible evidence before the court to support their claim that the funds came from gifts and earnings from oil and gas contracts.
The judge rejected arguments by Oceangate’s lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, who had insisted that the money was lawfully acquired. Ozurumba had argued that the funds were derived from personal gifts to Achimugu and proceeds of genuine business transactions, but the court found these claims unsubstantiated.
Justice Nwite also dismissed the defence counsel’s contention that the court lacked jurisdiction to issue an interim forfeiture order while sitting as a vacation court on August 22, 2025. He agreed with EFCC lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo that the commission complied with relevant laws, including Order 46(5) of the Federal High Court Rules and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act 2006, in seeking the order.
He further described as baseless the claim that the EFCC acted as a meddlesome interloper because no individual or company had petitioned the commission about missing funds. The judge held that under Nigerian law, the EFCC is empowered to act on intelligence and investigate suspicious assets even without a specific complaint from a victim.
About the author
Former Army spokesperson Rabe dies in bandits’ captivity
Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, has died while in the custody of armed bandits in north-west Nigeria. The former Director of Defence Information and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, were abducted by heavily armed gunmen while travelling through Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State in late May 2026. Both were taken to an unknown location after their vehicle was ambushed on a major route. During their week in captivity, the couple appeared in a video released by their captors, in which they appealed to authorities to intervene and secure their release. They also asked for the release of some arrested individuals believed to be linked to their case, as part of conditions for their freedom. Security agencies launched a search-and-rescue operation immediately after the abduction, but efforts to locate the couple were […]
BBNaija’s Thelma Lawson explains why she rejected Rooboy
Big Brother Naija Season 10 housemate Thelma Lawson has opened up about why she rejected fellow housemate Rooboy’s advances during their time in the house. In a recent interview, Thelma said Rooboy is not the kind of man she wants around her young son or in her personal space. She explained that, as a single mother, she is very careful about the kind of person she allows close to her child. Thelma noted that she had made it clear from the beginning of the show that she was not interested in any romantic relationship inside the house. According to her, Rooboy’s continued attempts to get close to her made her uncomfortable, especially because she felt they did not share the same values. She also addressed claims that Rooboy told her he loved her within a few days of meeting, a […]
DSS intercepts arms shipment meant for bandit kingpin
Operatives of the Department of State Services have intercepted a major arms shipment allegedly destined for a notorious bandit kingpin. Security sources said the suspect was caught while transporting a cache of arms and ammunition from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State. The consignment was reportedly headed for a known bandit leader operating across several North Central states. The intercepted weapons included items such as rifles and ammunition, which were believed to be intended to strengthen the firepower of criminal gangs. Investigators believe that stopping this shipment has disrupted an important supply line to the armed group. According to the report, the suspect is now in custody and undergoing interrogation by security operatives. Preliminary findings suggest that the suspect may be part of a wider network that moves arms across state lines for bandits and other criminal groups. The […]
Peter Okoye tells fans to quit comparing him with his brother Rudeboy
Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, has urged fans to stop comparing him to his twin brother Paul Okoye (Rudeboy), his former partner in the defunct music duo P-Square. The Nigerian Afrobeats star emphasized that he wants to focus on his solo career and does not want any distractions from comparisons that could undermine his work. Speaking in a recent video broadcast on social media, Mr P stated clearly, "Stop comparing me with my brother or anyone else. Enough of the comparisons. I want to do me. There is no one like me. I want to do my thing and chop my money." He reiterated that the comparisons need to end because he wants to be himself. The Music recognitions emo artist explained, "The comparisons need to end. I want to be myself. There is no one like me. […]
Five meaningful ways to mark Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day on June 12
Democracy Day is a national public holiday in Nigeria celebrated annually on June 12 to commemorate the restoration of democracy in 1999. Until 2018, it was celebrated on May 29, but President Muhammadu Buhari changed the date to honor Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO Abiola), whose courage, resilience, and commitment to the will of people remain enduring symbols of Nigeria's democratic journey. To meaningfully mark Nigeria's 27th Democracy Day Celebration on June 12, 2026, citizens can participate in five important activities. First, offer prayers for the nation alongside millions of Nigerians as part of the day's commemoration activities. This spiritual reflection helps acknowledge the sacrifices of democracy heroes and celebrates the strength of democratic institutions. Second, reflect on the sacrifices of heroes like MKO Abiola, whose usurped mandate and the annulled 1993 presidential election many still regard as Nigeria's […]
Leo Dasilva advises reality TV stars to build careers beyond Big Brother Naija
Leo Babarinde Akinola Dasilva, popularly known as Leo Dasilva, is a Nigerian reality television star, businessman and pundit who was born on July 10, 1992. After participating in Big Brother Naija, he has advised aspiring and current reality TV participants to build sustainable careers beyond their time on the show. Dasilva emphasized that reality television should serve as a starting point for building long-term professional achievements rather than being the only platform for success. Dasilva revealed that his mother encouraged him to audition for Big Brother Naija. He has lent his voice to contemporary issues in Nigeria, ranging from domestic violence and abusive relationships to the rising cases of missing persons. He has also spoken about being open about one's sexuality with partners before marriage and the rising number of out-of-school children and beggars on Lagos streets. The Electrical and […]
Related
Lomé accueille un atelier sur la libre circulation
Lomé accueille depuis le jeudi 28 mai 2026 un atelier technique consacré aux acteurs intervenant aux frontières de l’espace communautaire ouest-africain. La rencontre réunit notamment des transporteurs, des transitaires, des commerçantes transfrontalières ainsi que des agents des postes frontaliers. L’objectif principal est de renforcer les connaissances des participants sur le protocole de la CEDEAO relatif à la libre circulation des personnes et des biens, tout en promouvant des pratiques commerciales plus transparentes et équitables aux frontières. L’initiative est portée conjointement par le Groupe de réflexion et d’action Femme, Démocratie et Développement (GF2D-CRIFF), la Commission de la CEDEAO et l’Organisation internationale pour les migrations (OIM). Les organisateurs souhaitent apporter des réponses concrètes aux nombreuses difficultés rencontrées quotidiennement aux frontières de la sous-région. Selon Ginette Bayi Adekambi, directrice exécutive du GF2D-CRIFF, plusieurs obstacles persistent malgré les textes communautaires existants. Elle évoque notamment […]
Mangongo Vows to Take Nigeria to 2028 Cricket World Cup
The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has appointed Zimbabwean tactician Stephen Mangongo as the new head coach of the national men’s team, with the coach vowing to lead Nigeria to the 2028 Cricket World Cup. Mangongo was officially unveiled on Wednesday, May 27, at the TBS Cricket Oval in Lagos. Newsmen confirmed his appointment ahead of the ceremony, marking a new chapter for Nigerian cricket under a coach with extensive experience in African cricket development. During his unveiling, Mangongo expressed determination to qualify Nigeria for the 2028 Cricket World Cup, pledging to build a competitive team capable of challenging the continent’s top sides. He emphasized developing local talent, improving team cohesion, and winning the ICC T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional qualifiers as stepping stones to the global tournament. The appointment follows the exit of former coach Steve Tikolo, who had overseen […]
La SIN et ST DIGITAL lancent un cloud privé
La Société d’Infrastructures Numériques (SIN) et ST DIGITAL ont signé, mardi 26 mai 2026 à Lomé, un partenariat stratégique visant à lancer une offre de services de cloud privé au sein du Lomé Data Centre (LDC). À travers cette collaboration, les deux entreprises ambitionnent de renforcer la souveraineté numérique du Togo et de soutenir le développement des services digitaux locaux. L’accord a été conclu entre Attia Byll, directrice générale de la SIN, et Justine Adebiyi, directrice générale de ST DIGITAL Togo. Cette alliance réunit deux acteurs importants du secteur numérique togolais. La SIN assure la gestion du Lomé Data Centre, une infrastructure certifiée Tier III par l’Uptime Institute, avec un taux de disponibilité estimé à 99,982 %. De son côté, ST DIGITAL est spécialisée dans les solutions de cloud souverain, l’intelligence artificielle et l’ingénierie logicielle en Afrique de l’Ouest. Le […]
More criticism trails Makinde over Wetie comment
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde is facing growing criticism over his recent reference to Operation Wetie, a violent episode in the political history of the old Western Region.The governor reportedly used the expression during a political gathering in Ibadan at the weekend, a remark that many now see as irresponsible and dangerous. Opposition figures, civil society groups and concerned citizens have condemned the statement, warning that such language could encourage political thuggery and undermine peace in the state.They argue that referencing a period associated with arson, killings and severe unrest sends the wrong signal ahead of the 2027 election cycle. Some critics insist that leaders must promote calm and constructive engagement instead of inflammatory rhetoric.They stress that Oyo State has enjoyed relative stability in recent years and should not return to a climate of fear or politically motivated attacks. Political […]
Iranian sailors leave Sri Lanka after attack
More than 200 Iranian sailors who had been stranded in Sri Lanka following a naval incident have now returned home after spending over a month in the country. According to Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara, a total of 238 sailors were repatriated. This included 32 crew members rescued from the Iris Dena and 206 from the Irins Bushehr. The group departed on Tuesday night after being flown out of Sri Lanka. The incident began on 4 March, when the Iris Dena sank approximately 40 kilometres off Sri Lanka’s southern coast after being struck by a torpedo reportedly launched from a US submarine. The attack resulted in the deaths of 104 sailors. The following day, Sri Lankan authorities took control of the Irins Bushehr after it requested permission to dock due to engine failure. The vessel was allowed into port on […]
China says it ‘welcomes’ Middle East ceasefire agreement
China has said it “welcomes” the ceasefire agreement reached in the Middle East between the parties to the Iran conflict. “China welcomes relevant parties announcing the reaching of a ceasefire agreement,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters at a regular briefing in Beijing. She expressed hope that all sides would “earnestly implement” the truce, which includes a two‑week halt to strikes and a controlled reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. China reiterated its long‑standing position that hostilities in the region must stop immediately to prevent further escalation and spillover. Beijing’s foreign ministry said the country supports diplomatic efforts and dialogue to resolve disputes, and backs a greater role for the United Nations and Gulf states in promoting regional security. Foreign Minister Wang Yi previously outlined a framework calling for an immediate ceasefire, protection of civilians and […]