Alausa spoke on Tuesday during the handover of recovered assets by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the federal ministry of education in Abuja.

The recovered assets include 501 double-decker bed frames, 939 mattresses and 12 wooden beds with mattresses, which will be distributed to federal unity colleges across the country.

According to the minister, the asset recovery programme reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to ensuring that resources recovered from criminal activities are redirected to projects that directly benefit Nigerians, particularly children and young people.

He said the initiative demonstrates the government’s resolve to reinvest recovered public assets in critical sectors, with education remaining a top priority.

Alausa described education as central to Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy through sustained investment in human capital development.

He said converting recovered assets into educational resources reflects a deliberate policy of turning proceeds of crime into opportunities that improve learning outcomes and secure a better future for Nigerian students.

The minister added that the education sector has become one of the biggest beneficiaries of the federal government’s asset recovery efforts.

He recalled that Tinubu had earlier approved the conversion of a forfeited university facility into the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, instead of allowing the property to be sold.

According to Alausa, the university has already enrolled more than 3,000 students in programmes covering applied sciences, engineering, nursing, health sciences and other critical fields.

He said the newly recovered assets would significantly improve accommodation and welfare for students in colleges and other educational institutions nationwide.

Alausa also commended Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the EFCC, for strengthening public confidence in the anti-graft agency through professionalism, adherence to the rule of law and sustained efforts against corruption, procurement fraud and cybercrime.

Earlier, Olukoyede said the assets were recovered during Operation Eagle Flush, one of the commission’s largest cybercrime operations.

He said the operation, conducted towards the end of 2024, led to the arrest of about 792 suspects, including foreign nationals, who were investigated, prosecuted, convicted and repatriated after serving their prison terms.

The EFCC chairman said the restitution was carried out in line with the Proceeds of Crime Act and the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that recovered assets are transparently deployed for national development.

Olukoyede said children and young people are among the greatest victims of corruption and financial crimes, making it appropriate for them to benefit from assets recovered from criminal enterprises.

He also highlighted previous interventions by the commission in the education sector, including the transfer of the forfeited university facility that now houses the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, and the deployment of recovered proceeds of crime as part of the seed funding for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

According to him, about 1.4 million students have already benefited from the student loan scheme through tuition support and monthly upkeep allowances, easing financial pressures that often expose vulnerable youths to cybercrime and other financial crimes.

The handover was formalised through the signing of a deed of release by representatives of the EFCC and the federal ministry of education, including Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, the ministry’s permanent secretary.

Alausa assured Nigerians that the recovered assets would be distributed transparently and equitably to unity schools across the country to improve student welfare, accommodation and learning infrastructure.

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The judge gave the order on July 2, 2026.

Forfeited permanently among them is Walijam Apartments, located on No. 43 Plot 435, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, while those forfeited on interim basis are: Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited, located on No. 5 Amana Crescent, New Estate, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna state;  a mansion on No. 11 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja;  another at No. 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja and A.U.A Plaza on Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.

In ruling on the final forfeiture application, the judge held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), was able to establish that the convict acquired Walijam Apartments with proceeds of unlawful activities.

On the other hand, he ordered the commission to publish an order of interim forfeiture in a national newspaper within seven days, for interested parties to appear before the court and show cause as to why the other four properties should not be finally forfeited to the federal government.

The EFCC prosecuted Mamman on an amended 12-count charge of corruption and money laundering to the tune of N33. 8 billion.

The judge convicted him on all the counts on May 7, 2026, and sentenced him to 75 years’ imprisonment on May 13, 2026.

While ill-gotten assets were recovered from him in the course of the trial, the judge further ordered him to refund the N22 billion the commission successfully traced to him.

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Joyce Abdulmalik, the presiding judge, had earlier fixed Monday, July 6 for judgement after both parties adopted their final processes and argued the case on May 26.

However, the judge moved her judgement to Friday, July 10.

The EFCC previously secured an interim forfeiture order for the assets, valued at over N212 billion.

The properties are located in Abuja, Kano, Kebbi, and Kaduna. The EFCC had argued that the properties were proceeds of official corruption and abuse of office.

Malami’s legal team challenged the move, asserting that the assets were legitimately acquired by the former minister who served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

At the last hearing, Jibrin Okutepa, senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and counsel to the EFCC, prayed the court to grant the application, relying on a 47-paragraph affidavit and 46 exhibits filed in support of the motion.

Okutepa argued that Malami and the other respondents in the matter failed to satisfactorily explain the legitimate sources of the assets and urged the court to order their permanent forfeiture.

In response, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN and counsel to Malami and other respondents, asked the court to dismiss the application and set aside the interim forfeiture order earlier granted.

Adedeji relied on a counter-affidavit deposed to by Malami, arguing that the EFCC’s case was founded on suspicion rather than credible evidence.

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The post EFCC arrests fleeing ex-power minister Saleh Mamman after 75-year jail sentence over N22bn fraud first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Jude Onwuegbuzie, the presiding judge, issued the warrant on Thursday after the two defendants failed to appear in court for arraignment.

The duo, alongside Sani Nafiu Mohammed, are facing a 21-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) bordering on breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards, and conversion of public funds.

The alleged fraud involves $1.3 million and N746,574,303 said to belong to the federal ministry of humanitarian affairs disaster management and social development.

While the third defendant was present in court, Farouq and Alkali were absent when the matter was called.

Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the court that the charge was filed on December 15, 2025, but the first and second defendants were initially difficult to serve.

Jacobs said the defendants were later served but failed to appear in court despite being granted bail.

He further informed the court that Farouq had earlier written to the commission seeking the release of her passport to travel to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment in 2024.

According to him, she has yet to return the passport or provide medical reports to justify her continued absence.

Jacobs added that the EFCC filed an application seeking a bench warrant after the defendants failed to honour the court proceedings.

“We are praying your lordship to issue a warrant of arrest against the first and second defendants so that they can be compelled to appear before the court,” he said.

Abdul Ibrahim, senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and counsel to the first defendant, told the court that Farouq’s absence was due to ill health.

He sought to tender an affidavit explaining her medical condition and requested that the court allow six weeks to produce her.

However, the court rejected the application.

In his ruling, the judge granted the EFCC’s request and issued arrest warrants against Farouq and Alkali and subsequently adjourned the case until May 18 for arraignment and commencement of trial.

According to the EFCC, the charges include allegations that the defendants fraudulently converted $1.3 million, which was meant to be refunded to the ministry by Visual ICT Limited as excess funds paid under the national social safety net coordinating office (NASSCO) programme.

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In a statement issued on Thursday, the anti-graft agency said the suspects were arrested on Thursday, April 9 at an internet fraud academy located in Becki Estate, Karu, on the outskirts of Abuja.

According to the EFCC, those arrested comprise two suspected kingpins and several trainees, apprehended while allegedly undergoing tutorials on internet fraud.

The commission said items recovered during the operation include mobile phones, 18 laptop computers, and other electronic gadgets believed to have been used for cybercrime activities.

Preliminary investigations by the agency revealed that some of the trainees were allegedly lured from Benue State with promises of legitimate job opportunities.

However, the EFCC said that upon arrival at the facility, the recruits were allegedly provided with communication devices, computers, and specialised software used to train them in cyber fraud.

The agency further alleged that the proprietors of the facility housed the recruits within the premises and restricted their movements, reportedly confiscating their mobile phones to prevent communication with the outside world.

According to the EFCC, the trainees were also subjected to strict disciplinary measures, including corporal punishment, to enforce compliance and commitment to the training programme.

The commission said the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

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In his Easter message to Christians across the country, Olukoyede expressed optimism that Nigeria would break free from the grip of corruption, describing the Easter celebration as a reminder of victory over adversity.

The EFCC chairman delivered the message in Abuja on Saturday, April 4, urging Nigerians to reflect on the significance of Easter and draw inspiration from its lessons.

The message was conveyed in a statement signed by Dele Oyewale, head of media and publicity at the EFCC.

“The lesson of Easter is all about undeniable victory over trial, corruption and death. This lesson is instructive for us as a nation,” he said.

“We will surely overcome the trial and trauma of corruption. We are not defined by corruption, we cannot be defeated by it.”

Olukoyede called on Nigerians to remain hopeful and continue supporting the EFCC in its efforts to combat economic and financial crimes across the country.

He urged citizens to keep faith with the commission’s anti-corruption drive, noting that collective support is necessary to sustain the fight against corruption and other financial crimes.

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Ikechukwu was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on March 26, on a one-count charge bordering on mutilation of naira notes amounting to N81,700.

The charge stated that the 24-year-old, on February 22, 2026, at Embassy Hotel, Enugu Ezike, danced on and mishandled the naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) during his birthday celebration.

According to the EFCC, the offence contravenes Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, the judge convicted Ikechukwu and sentenced him to one year imprisonment from the date of arraignment, with an option of a N300,000 fine.

The court also ordered that the sum of N81,700 recovered from the convict be forfeited to the federal government through the EFCC.

The commission said Ikechukwu, a palm kernel dealer, was arrested on February 28, 2026, at his residence near Timber Market in Enugu Ezike after a viral video surfaced online showing him abusing naira notes during his birthday celebration.

He was subsequently charged to court and convicted.

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According to a statement by Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, Kolawole, 37, who represents DKK Partners Limited, was taken into custody by operatives of the Ilorin zonal directorate of the commission following allegations of fraudulent financial dealings linked to a foreign exchange transaction.

Oyewale said the suspect initially failed to honour several invitations extended to her but later turned herself in, adding that she is currently being held in custody after a court ordered her remand pending further investigation.

The arrest followed a petition submitted by Predictus Remit Limited, a subsidiary of FairMoney Microfinance Bank, which accused Kolawole and the directors of DKK Partners Limited of fraudulently obtaining the sum under the pretext of facilitating a foreign exchange transaction.

The commission identified the directors as Duru Ogadima and Talukder Muhammed Khalidur Rahman, who are currently at large.

According to the petitioner, the funds were transferred on November 25, 2025, with an agreement that the dollar equivalent of $675,219.44 would be remitted. However, the transaction was allegedly not executed as agreed.

Preliminary investigations by the EFCC revealed that the suspect received the funds through an account with Providus Bank but allegedly converted the money into digital currency and diverted it for personal use.

Further findings showed that DKK Partners Limited is not licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to carry out foreign exchange transactions, contrary to claims made to the petitioner.

The EFCC said Kolawole will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

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The conviction was secured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin of the state high court.

Ikilo was arraigned on a one-count charge of stealing and initially pleaded not guilty, prompting a full trial.

According to the charge, the convict in March 2024 fraudulently converted 0.52092582 Bitcoin valued at $19,400, belonging to Cynthia Imade Alile, to his personal use within the court’s jurisdiction.

The offence is contrary to section 287 of the criminal law of Edo state, 2022, and punishable under section 294 of the same law.

During the trial, prosecution counsel A.S. Bala-Ribah called two witnesses and tendered documentary evidence, which the court admitted. The defendant also testified and called one additional witness in his defence.

Delivering judgement on March 23, 2026, Justice Aziegbemhin found Ikilo guilty and sentenced him to two years in prison without the option of a fine.

The court heard that the convict’s actions began after he offered to help the victim convert her Bitcoin holdings but failed to remit the proceeds, instead diverting the funds for personal use.

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