By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies, AANISS have agreed to work towards credible elections by tackling vote buying and other acts of electoral fraud.

* Secures Conviction of Local Govt Official

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has busted and dismantled a Visa mill Syndicate in Lagos State, just as it secured the conviction of one Michael Kuyoro, a staff member of Ikeja Local Government, for his involvement in a visa fraud scheme involving forgery, conspiracy, and abuse of office.

The conviction was delivered on March 12, 2026, by Honourable Justice O.A. Okunuga of the Ikeja High Court (Criminal Division), Lagos.

The case originated from a petition submitted by the Italian High Commission, which raised concerns over 22 Nigerian visa applicants who presented forged letters of invitation and introduction.

Investigations by the ICPC revealed that the Ikeja Local Government official, Mr. Kuyoro abused his official position to generate falsified documents on Ikeja Local Government letterhead.

The documents falsely identified the applicants as staff or affiliates of the local government.

Further findings established that Mr. Kuyoro received the sum of ₦50,000 from an accomplice, one Samuel Orebela (currently at large), to facilitate the fraudulent scheme.

Kuyoro was initially arraigned on a four-count charge but later entered into a plea bargain agreement. Consequently, the charge was amended to a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and giving false statements, contrary to Sections 25 and 26 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Following his plea of “guilty,” the ICPC's prosecution team, comprising Mrs Yvonne William-Mbata, Mrs. Roseline N. Eze, and Mrs. Oluwayemisi E. Pereira presented the facts of the case, which led to his conviction.

In his judgment, Justice Okunuga sentenced the defendant as follows: Two years imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently; An option of fine of ₦10,000 for Count One and ₦100,000 for Count Two; Three months of community service, involving six hours of daily labour under the supervision of the Nigerian Correctional Service; A ₦1 million bond to be of good behaviour, subject to forfeiture upon breach; Permanent blacklisting through enrolment of his biometrics in the ICPC Criminal Offenders Database, effectively barring him from future public service.

The Court, while delivering judgment, observed that existing penalties under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, are no longer commensurate with the realities of modern corruption.

Justice Okunuga described the sanctions as “outdated and insufficient,” noting that the prescribed fines do not adequately reflect the gravity of such offences.

The Court consequently called for an urgent legislative review of the law to strengthen its deterrent effect.

The Commission reiterates its commitment to tackling corruption in all forms, particularly the abuse of public office for personal gain. Public servants are reminded to uphold integrity and avoid actions that undermine public trust.

Members of the public are also encouraged to report suspicious activities to the ICPC through its established channels. NNL.

By Chinelo Ogbodo (Enugu State Correspondent)

In its bid to frontally combat money laundering, terrorism financing, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, safeguard businesses and strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has called on operators of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions, DNFBPs in the South-East to comply with mandatory registration under the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML.

By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief)

The trial of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, continued on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, before Justice Hamza Mu'azu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the court granting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, a final adjournment to present its last witness.

By Abubakar Bello (Kano State Correspondent)

The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, handed over the sum of N387,483,488.00 (Three Hundred and Eighty-Seven Million, Four Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty-Eight Naira), recovered from fraudulent actors to the Jigawa State Government.

By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief)

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has been honoured with the African Boy Child Development Award in recognition of his leadership in promoting integrity and youth empowerment.