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The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has said the case of the detained leader of banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a difficult one that should be left to the law to have his way since its already in court.

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Fagbemi stated this while responding to questions from newsmen at the Sectoral Ministerial Briefing on the first anniversary of the President Bola Tinubu administration in Abuja on Friday.

He pointed out that there is a remarkable difference between Kanu’s case and that of the convener of #RevolutionNow protester, Omoyele Sowore.

He said, “Sowore and Kanu are not the same, when it comes to the first one, I didn’t have difficulty to say go, but I have difficulty with the second one”.

Pointing out that Kanu is being held in accordance with the Constitution, Fagbemi observed that, “the matter is still in court, let’s wait for the court”.

Sowore was arrested in 2019 and prosecuted for allegedly calling for the forceful take over of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, the Federal Government through the office of the AGF in February filed a notice of discontinuation of the case.

The minister also stated that the Federal Government has secured 250 convictions from the prosecution of terrorism and criminal offices in various courts across the country.

The AGF who reeled out the achievements of the Ministry of Justice under the year under review, said in furtherance with the Ministry’s mandate of enhancing national security and safety through prosecution, the Federal Government has secured 160 convictions for criminal offences, 87 convictions for terrorism cases, 3 novel convictions in the last one year for extremist terrorism actors involved in the radicalisation of children and violence against women.

Fagbemi hinted that the Justice Ministry in conjunction with relevant security and law enforcement agencies have developed a framework for joint investigation and collaboration geared towards the engagement of prosecution-guided investigation in various criminal cases with a bid to address the challenges to successful prosecutions.

“There is also enhanced inter-agency synergy for prosecution of Maritime Cases, Electricity offences, collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders on cybersecurity protection and cybercrime prosecution,” the AGF said.

Following the Ministry’s intervention for the upgrade of facilities designated for trial of terrorism cases, Fagbemi said the Ministry has resumed trials of terrorism cases in conjunction with the Legal Aid Council, National Human Rights Commission and other stakeholders.

He added that the percentages of terrorism cases initiated and corruption cases concluded within the reporting period have been significant.

The AGF further stated that the Tinubu administration has facilitated international cooperation on terrorism financing and other transnational crimes.

Fagbemi also said the Federal Government has secured the conviction of 13 terrorism financing cases, and also concluded 150 mutual legal assistance requests and 12 extradition requests from law enforcement agencies and foreign countries.

“The Ministry places priority on enhancing the prosecutorial and litigation capacity of its staff, to this end, it organised capacity building programmes to improve knowledge on various aspects of the law, including Darknet and Cryptocurrencies applied to terrorism financing, investigation and prosecution of financial and wildlife crimes in Nigeria.

“The coordination of the effective implementation of the National Anti-Money Laundering/Combating Proliferation Financing (AML/CPF) Strategy 2023 – 2027 is also a top priority for the Ministry,” the AGF said.

Moreso, in line with the cardinal principle of the present administration in the fight against corruption, the Justice Ministry, Fagbemi said, has achieved successes under its international asset recovery and management efforts.

The asset sharing agreement between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Bailiwick of Jersey was signed in February 2024, for the return of £2,125,944 (Two Million, One Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-Four GBP) proceeds of corruption, the AGF revealed.

“This has been approved by the President to be utilised for continuation of works on the Abuja-Kano Road project” Fagbemi said.

On the Glencore settlement, the Minister said the ministry on behalf of Nigeria on April 25, 2024, concluded negotiation of a settlement agreement with Glencore International A.G. wherein the firm is expected to pay the sum of $50 million USD as penalty and compensation for certain activities in Nigeria.

Also, speaking on the development of the proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Regulation 2024 by the ministry, the AGF said the objective of the regulation which is being developed with relevant agencies is to ensure transparency, accountability and standardisation in the management of recovered assets, in line with global best practices.

“This document is being finalised for validation,” the AGF said.

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Troops hit Boko Haram hideouts in Borno, kill fighters

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Troops under the 7 Division, Sector 1 of Operation Hadin Kai have dealt another blow to Boko Haram, storming their strongholds in Tangalanga and Bula Marwa, both in Borno State.

According to details obtained by Zagazola Makama from military sources familiar with the mission, the operation was executed on Sunday, July 7, following “credible intelligence reports indicating the presence and activities of terrorist elements in the general area.”

The troops, acting swiftly on the information, first moved into Tangalanga where they came under attack but quickly responded, killing two insurgents during the engagement. The team didn’t stop there.

“After receiving intelligence on the massing up of terrorists within the location,” the sources said, “the team proceeded towards Bula Marwa.”

As soldiers approached the second target, Bula Marwa, the insurgents reportedly fled into the surrounding terrain in a bid to escape. However, their retreat was not entirely successful.

“One fleeing insurgent was neutralized during pursuit, while several special structures within the camp were destroyed,” a source confirmed.

Despite the tense situation and armed confrontation, the troops are said to have completed the mission without recording any casualties on their side — a significant morale boost for the ongoing counterinsurgency efforts in the region.

Recovered from the operation were key items, including aix AK-47 magazines, 90 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and a Boko Haram flag.

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BREAKING NEWS: Imo Govt Demolishes Notorious Criminal Hideout at Nekede No. 1 by Imo ADP

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By Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, July 07, 2025.

In a bold and decisive move, the Imo State Government has continued its onslaught against criminality by demolishing a notorious hideout located at Nekede Number One, near the Imo ADP. The structure, long suspected to be a base for armed robbery and heinous organ harvesting operations, was brought down earlier today under the supervision of government security operatives and task force agents.

According to sources within the Governor’s Monitoring and Compliance Unit, the location had been under surveillance following multiple intelligence reports linking it to violent crimes, including coordinated robberies, drug trafficking, and suspected ritual killings involving human organs.

“This location was not just a criminal den; it was a grave threat to public safety and human dignity,” said an official involved in the operation. “Our government will not allow any part of the state to become a breeding ground for evil.”

Residents in the area had reportedly lived in fear for months, as the structure harbored criminals and served as a meeting point for underworld elements. Eyewitnesses described scenes of relief as the bulldozers rolled in and leveled the compound.

“I can finally sleep with my two eyes closed,” said one local resident who asked not to be named. “We’ve known for long that something very dark was happening there. We thank the state government for taking this action.”

Preliminary investigations are ongoing, and several suspects were said to have been apprehended during the raid. Authorities have assured the public that a full-scale investigation will follow, and all those involved in the criminal enterprise will be brought to justice.

This demolition is part of the Imo State Government’s renewed campaign to cleanse the state of criminal syndicates and restore law and order across all localities. In recent weeks, similar crackdowns have been executed in other parts of the state, drawing commendation from security stakeholders and the general public.

The state government has reaffirmed its commitment to making Imo safe for residents, investors, and visitors alike.

More updates to follow.

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Court Jails Nine Chinese for Cyber-terrorism, Internet Fraud

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Justice D. E.Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, July 7, 2025, convicted and sentenced nine Chinese to one year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.

The convicts are Qin Xiao Yong, Luo Mao Yang, Liu Ni Ni, Liu Gang, Sun Qi (a.k.a Wan Jin Ping), Zhang Juan, Li de Wen, Fun Min, Tan Ming.

They are among the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 19, 2024, in Lagos during a sting operation tagged ‘Eagle Flush Operation’ conducted by EFCC operatives.

They were subsequently arraigned on a separate one -count charge of cyber- terrorism and internet fraud in February 2025 by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

 

The charge reads: “ That you, Qin Xiao Yong, Luo Mao Yang, Liu Ni Ni, Liu Gang, Sun Qi (a.k.a Wan Jin Ping), Zhang Juan, Li de Wen, Fun Min, Tan Ming, sometime in December, 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: cause to be accessed computer system used for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.”

They initially pleaded “not guilty” to the charge preferred against them.

However, at Monday’s sitting, they changed their “not guilty plea” to “guilty.”

In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, R.A. Abdulrasheed, prayed the court to convict them accordingly.

Consequently, Justice Osiagor convicted and sentenced each of the defendants to one year imprisonment starting from the date of arrest on December 10, 2025, with a fine in the sum of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00).

The judge also directed the Comptroller General of Immigration to ensure that the convicts are repatriated to their country of origin within seven days.

The judge further ordered that the mobile phones, computers, laptop computers and routers seized from them at the time of arrest be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

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