A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Okpoziakpo Eloho, on Thursday told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, that the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, did not benefit from the $6,230,000, reportedly stolen from the apex bank.

The witness, a Commissioner of Police at the Fraud Unit of the Force Headquarters, Abuja, admitted that there was no evidence that Emefiele benefitted from the loot either in cash or in transfer into his account by those who admitted stealing the money.

Eloho made the clarification during cross examination by Mathew Burka, SAN, lead counsel to the defendant.

Emefiele is being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency on alleged procurement fraud and abuse of office before Justice Hamza Muazu.

At Thursday’s proceedings Eloho, who led the police investigation of the former CBN boss, stated that Emefiele in the statement he made to the team of investigators denied ever giving approval and authorization for the release of the money to anybody.

The witness also said that the defendant also denied ever receiving any letter from the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, or acted on any such letter in relation to the alleged stealing.

Answering a question, CP Eloho admitted that one Jibril Abubakar appeared before his probe panel during investigation and admitted collecting the $6. 2 million from the Abuja branch of the CBN.

He also said that none of those interviewed or investigated in respect of the money told the investigators that the defendant benefitted in one way or the other.

The police commissioner said that although Jibril Abubakar claimed to be a staff in the Office of the SGF, investigation later showed that he was never an employee of the office.

The witness further stated that despite the confession of Abubakar that he collected the money from the apex bank, he (witness) was not aware of the trial of Abubakar in any law court.

Also answering a question, the EFCC witness claimed that one Bashirudeen Maishanu, a staff of the CBN, was also interrogated and he confessed to be one of those who stole the money.

The witness further stated that he was not aware of the trial of the said Maishanu and that he would be shocked if the man was promoted by CBN in spite of his confession to the stealing of the money.

When confronted with series of exhibits especially correspondences exchanged during the processing, approval and release of the looted fund, the witness admitted that protocol was breached going by the hierarchy of the management of the apex bank, adding that under normal circumstances correspondence from CBN governor ought to go to the deputy governor and from there downwards.

“I recall that on December 13, 2023, we were at Kuje correctional center where the defendant made his statement in relation to his office on the $6.2 million.

“He was confronted with the issue of the money, his approval and authorization for the release of the money.

“In the process the defendant denied he did not sign for the approval or release of the money.

“The defendant also denied receiving any letter from SGF, he also stated that the signature on the documents that related to the approval and release of the money was not his,” he said.

Answering another question on the statement made by former SGF, Boss Mustapha to the investigators, the witness told the court that it was the special investigator, Jim Obaze, that was present when Boss Mustapha claimed his signature was forged.

On the forensic examination carried out by EFCC on the signature of Boss Mustapha to verify the alleged forgery, the witness told the court that it would have been desirable to carry out similar forensic examination on Emefiele’s signature the way it was done to Boss Mustapha.

The trial continues July 3.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has appointed actor-turned-politician and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kenneth Okonkwo, as his spokesperson.

This came weeks after the politician openly criticised the party’s choice of vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

Okonkwo disclosed the appointment in a statement posted on his official X handle on Thursday, where he expressed appreciation to Atiku for entrusting him with the role.

“I give God all the glory to be appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his Spokesperson. I thank HE AA for the immense confidence reposed in me,” he wrote.

The former Labour Party, LP, presidential campaign spokesperson described the appointment as a reflection of Atiku’s inclusive leadership style, noting that the former vice president prefers dialogue and consensus-building rather than hostility toward associates who express differing opinions.

“Rather than pick offence against any of his associates for expressing genuine reservations of any action taken, HE AA always opts for dialogue and compromise that will engender solution to problems,” Okonkwo stated.

He revealed that discussions held with Atiku and other leaders of the ADC addressed concerns surrounding the political interests of the South-East despite what he described as limitations created by the Electoral Act, 2026.

“At a dialogue with HE AA and other well-meaning members of the African Democratic Congress, the interests of the South-East have been discussed and guaranteed within the existing challenges posed by the Electoral Act, 2026, and the realities on the ground,” he added.

Okonkwo also expressed gratitude to Kashim Imam, former ADC National Chairman Ralphs Nwosu, and Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Ekene Onwuka, for their contributions toward strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

“My sincere gratitude to my family, fans, and friends for their support and prayers, which God answered in covering my errors and colouring my efforts to pave way for this appointment. I still covet your prayers for wisdom, courage, provision, and protection needed to carry out this challenging post, which will usher in a glorious and great Nigeria,” he said.

The appointment comes shortly after Okonkwo publicly faulted the ADC’s selection of its vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

He had warned that reports suggesting the party was considering a candidate from the South-South region for the vice-presidential slot could deepen what he described as the continued marginalisation of the South-East in Nigeria’s political structure.

According to him, such a decision would further deny the South-East the opportunity of producing either the president or vice president, a situation he noted had persisted since 1999.

Imo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Austin Onyedebelu, has said that the party leadership in the State will fight like a wounded lion to ensure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reelected come 2027 presidential election.

Onyedebelu made the assertion during a stakeholders’ meeting between the State Working Committee of the party and officials of the APC drawn from the 9 LGAs and 105 wards of Owerri Zone.

The meeting was attended by the LGA party Executives, Ward Executives, elected LGA Chairmen, Councillors, and other party officials.

Addressing the gathering, the State Chairman stressed that unity remained the greatest weapon for electoral success.

He maintained that party members and the leadership must work together in ensuring overwhelming victories for Mr president and other candidates of the party in the State.

The APC Chairman warned party officials that they would be held accountable for the party’s performance in their respective areas.

“If you lose our votes we are going to hold you responsible. Don’t tell us why you failed after the election.

“Tell us now what will make you fail so we can address it. If there is anything or any leader that will sabotage our efforts, you must tell us now for us to address it,” he said.

Onyedebelu urged party faithful to rely solely on genuine grassroots mobilization rather than shortcuts, insisting that only real votes would guarantee victory.

He added that there is no other way to win elections than to count on real votes, and that the only way to achieve it is to remain united.

The State party boss cautioned against anti-party activities, reminding members that those who work against their own party would ultimately have nothing to gain.

“If you support the opposition to win against your party, when they begin to share the proceeds of victory, they will first reward their own party members before remembering you,” he added.

The State Chairman also described the 2027 general elections as a defining moment for Owerri Zone in its aspiration to produce the next Governor of Imo State.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the State Secretary of the party, Onyekachi Ibezim, explained that the purpose of the meeting was to enable the State Working Committee to interact directly with party executives at the LGA and Ward levels ahead of the 2027 electoral contest.

He noted that the officers constitute the engine room of the party at the grassroots and would be held responsible for the success of the party in the forthcoming general elections.

Responding on behalf of Owerri Zone, the State Vice Chairman for Owerri Zone, Justus Ogu, assured the State Working Committee that the zone would not disappoint the party.

He assured that the Zone will deliver APC from President down to the State House of Assembly members.

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, has vowed to abolish the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, if he becomes the President of Nigeria.

Sowore said institutions of higher learning should decide admissions through a merit based system.

Posting on X, the activist politician also vowed to scrap the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC,

Sowore said he would establish a two-year, voluntary National Job Corps in place of NYSC.

He said: “When I become President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: @JAMBHQ will be abolished.

“Admission into tertiary institutions should be determined by the institutions themselves under a transparent, merit-based system, not by another layer of bureaucracy.

“The National Youth Service Corps @nysc_ng, in its current form, will be scrapped. In its place, we will establish a two-year, voluntary National Job Corps that guarantees participants meaningful employment, practical skills, entrepreneurship support, and pathways into permanent careers.

“Nigeria’s young people do not need more compulsory schemes. They need opportunities, jobs, skills, and the freedom to choose their future.”

After spending about five months in captivity, terrorists have killed a Catholic catechist and five others abducted during the February 9, 2026, attack on Kutaho and Kugir communities in Aribi Ward of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Despite months of ransom negotiations and payments by members of the affected communities, the abductees were not spared but were eventually killed.

A church source, who pleaded not to be named, said the development has thrown the communities into mourning and renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in Southern Kaduna.

According to the source, “The communities made frantic efforts to secure the release of the abductees through ransom payments and contributions from residents, many of whom reportedly sold personal belongings and farm produce in the hope of bringing their loved ones home alive.”

The source identified those killed as Friday Agama, Kunama Dogo, Monday Tanko, Lami Williams, a man identified simply as Pawpaw’s brother, and the Catholic catechist, who was reportedly subjected to severe torture before dying in captivity.

The source further explained that the victims were among the 32 residents kidnapped when heavily armed terrorists invaded the two communities in a midnight raid in February, firing sporadically before forcing villagers from their homes and marching them into the forest.

The source said many residents fled the communities for fear of further attacks, while families and religious leaders repeatedly appealed to the government and security agencies to intervene and curb the menace in the area.

According to the source, the kidnappers initially demanded N30 million and four motorcycles for the release of the captives. Despite months of negotiations and financial contributions by residents, the terrorists later demanded an additional N15 million before releasing the victims.

Residents said the prolonged captivity, repeated ransom demands and eventual killing of the six victims have devastated the affected communities and undermined their livelihoods. They appealed to security agencies to intensify rescue operations, strengthen security in vulnerable rural communities and ensure those responsible for the killings are arrested and prosecuted.

The Kaduna State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the killings as of the time this report was filed.