General News
Court Issues Split Bail Rulings for Malami, Wife, Son in Fraud, Terror, Arms Cases
A Federal High Court in Abuja has delivered separate bail decisions affecting former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his wife Asabe, and their son Abdulazeez, following fresh proceedings bordering on alleged fraud, terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the rulings on Thursday after the trio was re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged N8.7 billion fraud case.
Fraud Charge: Bail Application Deferred
At the proceedings, defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), informed the court that Justice Emeka Nwite had earlier granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500 million each on January 7, and that the bail conditions had been perfected.
However, Justice Abdulmalik held that the earlier proceedings were no longer valid, noting that Justice Nwite had sat as a vacation judge at the time and that the case file had since been reassigned to a regular court.
The judge declined to entertain an oral application for bail, directing that a formal application be filed instead.
Following the ruling, Malami and his son were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, while his wife, Asabe, was ordered remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State. The court fixed March 6 for hearing of the bail application in the fraud case.
Terrorism, Firearms Charges: N200m Bail Granted
In a separate ruling the same day, Justice Abdulmalik granted Malami and his son bail in the sum of N200 million each in a five-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026.
The charges include alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms. Among the allegations are claims that Malami failed to prosecute suspected terror financiers during his tenure as Attorney-General and that a Sturm Magnum firearm, 16 live rounds of ammunition and 27 expended cartridges were allegedly found at their residence in Kebbi State without proper authorization.
The court ordered that each defendant must provide two sureties who own landed property in Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja, submit valid title documents, swear to affidavits of means, and deposit their international passports with the court registry.
Despite the bail grant in the DSS case, Malami and his son are to remain in custody at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of their bail conditions. Trial in the matter is scheduled to commence on March 4.
Manchester City will rekindle their rivalry with Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last 16 after Fridays draw in Nyon, Switzerland. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that this will be their sixth knockout meeting since the 2019/2020 Champions League season. Manchester City edged the 15-time European champions 2-1 during Decembers group stage clash, setting the stage for another heavyweight showdown many observers have likened to a final.
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will confront Chelsea in a repeat of last seasons heated Club World Cup final won by the English side. Both teams expressed confidence ahead of the tie. Premier League leaders Arsenal face Bayer Leverkusen after topping the league phase with eight straight victories to avoid Europes biggest heavyweights.
Bayern Munich, runners-up in the group stage, take on Atalanta, who eliminated Borussia Dortmund via a stoppage-time penalty in the playoffs. Elsewhere, Newcastle United meet Barcelona again, while Liverpool battle Galatasaray. Struggling Tottenham Hotspur face Atletico Madrid as Norways giant-killers Bodo/Glimt square off against Sporting Lisbon.
The last-16 fixtures are as follows: Real Madrid v Manchester City; Bodo/Glimt v Sporting; Paris Saint-Germain v Chelsea; Newcastle United v Barcelona; Galatasaray v Liverpool; Atletico Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur; Atalanta v Bayern Munich; and Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that quarter-final and semi-final pairings were also confirmed, with potential blockbuster clashes awaiting as Europes elite chase Champions League glory.
General News
Court Jails Native Doctor ‘Akwa Okuko’ for Ritual-Related Fraud, Orders Shrine Demolition
An Anambra State High Court has sentenced popular native doctor, Chukwudozie Nwangwu, widely known as Akwa Okuko, to 11 months’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to charges linked to ritual practices and obtaining money under false pretences.
Delivering judgment on Friday, the court convicted Nwangwu on three counts bordering on money ritual claims and fraudulent acquisition of wealth. The judge ordered that the prison terms run concurrently.
₦800,000 Ritual Promise
Nwangwu was arrested in 2025 after he allegedly collected ₦800,000 from a victim, promising to make him a millionaire within months through ritual means.
According to the prosecution, the convict claimed he would use the money to perform rituals that would guarantee sudden wealth. However, investigations revealed the claims to be fraudulent.
The court ordered Nwangwu to refund the ₦800,000 to the victim or face an additional three-year jail term.
Alleged Support for Criminal Elements
Beyond the fraud charge, Nwangwu was also accused of preparing charms and talismans allegedly used by kidnappers and armed robbers, thereby aiding criminal activities.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the trial judge ordered the demolition of his “Oba Shrine” and directed him to cease all forms of Okeite practice.
The court further ruled that upon completion of his sentence at the Awka Correctional Centre, Nwangwu must publicly denounce Okeite and related charm practices.
He was also mandated to serve as an ambassador for youth re-orientation, aimed at discouraging young people from engaging in ritual-related and fraudulent activities.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome over his alleged involvement in a disputed property matter in the United Kingdom popularly known as the “Tali Shani” affair.
Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was reportedly taken into custody shortly after a Federal Capital Territory High Court struck out an earlier forgery charge filed against him. He is expected to be arraigned before the court on fresh charges.
Disputed London Property
At the centre of the controversy is a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX. The dispute was instituted before the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration under case number REF/2023/0155, with Tali Shani listed as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.
The ownership claim was contested between a person identified as “Ms Tali Shani” and Ozekhome. The senior lawyer maintained that he received the property as a gift in 2021 from “Mr Tali Shani.” However, representatives of “Ms Shani” insisted she was the legitimate owner.
During proceedings, a witness identified as “Mr Tali Shani” testified in support of Ozekhome, claiming he held power of attorney over the property and had transferred it accordingly. He asserted that he had owned the property since 1993 and later appointed the late retired Lieutenant-General Jeremiah Useni as his property manager.
In contrast, documents presented by witnesses for “Ms Tali Shani,” including an obituary notice, national identity card and ECOWAS passport, were tendered to validate her claim. The tribunal reportedly found the documents relied upon to be false and dismissed the claims, ruling that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed.
Fresh Charges Filed
In a related development, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had earlier filed a three-count charge before the FCT High Court, accusing Ozekhome of knowingly presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, during the UK proceedings.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation later took over the case and applied to withdraw the charge to allow for a review and consolidation of investigations involving multiple agencies. The court subsequently struck out the charge.
However, the Federal Government has now filed a fresh 12-count charge against Ozekhome before the FCT High Court in Abuja. The charges include allegations of conspiracy, forgery, personation, abetment and cheating by personation under the Penal Code Law 2009.
According to the charge sheet, Ozekhome, Ponfa Useni (also known as Tali Shani), and the late Jeremiah Useni are alleged to have, between 2020 and 2021, forged a Nigerian international passport purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service for use in support of a property claim in the United Kingdom.
The matter is expected to proceed before the FCT High Court in Abuja.