Flowerbud News

Year: 2026

  • Court sentences 5 men to 25 years imprisonment each for terrorism offences

     

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday convicted and sentenced five men, including a Nigerien citizen, to a 25-year imprisonment for terrorism offences.

    Justice Binta Nyako handed down the judgment after the convicts pleaded guilty to the four-count charge preferred against them by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convicts are Yusuf Mohammed (aka Bature), Goni Ibrahim Bindi (aka Goni Mutuwa), Sani Tulur (aka Danladi), Mubarak Ibrahim and Musa Alhaji Adamu (aka Gado Banufe).

    After their guilty plea, the prosecution sought to tender items recovered from the defendants.

    With the court’s permission, the prosecution tendered a forwarding letter, accompanied with the investigation report and the statements of the defendants.

    The prosecution also tendered 15 units of AK 103 rifles complete with its magazines and 1434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, to which the defence raised no objection.

    Justice Nyako admitted the items as exhibits and proceeded to convict the defendants.

    The judge then asked the defendants to make a plea of allocutus each, which they did.

    The prosecution, therefore, applied that a Volkswagen car, used in transporting arms and ammunition, be forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    In her judgment, Justice Nyako found the defendants guilty as charged and convicted them.

    She sentenced them to 25 years each on count one.

    On counts two and three, she sentenced the 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants to seven years jail term each while, on count four, only the 1st defendant bagged 25 years imprisonment.

    The judge ordered that the sentences shall run concurrently, beginning from the date of their arrest.

    She ordered that the convicts should serve their terms of improvement in a place designated by the Minister of Interior.

    Justice Nyako equally ordered that the exhibits recovered from them be forfeited to the Federal Government.

    NAN reports that in count one, the convicts between April 23 and April 24 were alleged to have committed the offence.

    They were alleged to have jointly conspired “to render assistance to a terrorist by agreeing and intentionally playing various roles towards conveying 15 AK 103 rifles as well as about 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from Diffa region, Republic of Niger, to one Malam Ahmad.”

    Ahmad is said to be a member of the Boko Haram terrorist group based in Borgu LGA of Niger State.

    The offence is contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, among other counts.

  • Don advocates more inclusion, Digital Access, Literacy for women

    Don advocates more inclusion, Digital Access, Literacy for women

    Don advocates more inclusion, Digital Access, Literacy for women

    Prof. Janice Olawoye at the Kwara State University

     

    By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

     

    A Professor of Rural Sociology at the University of Ibadan, Prof. Janice Olawoye has called for more inclusion, improved Digital access and Literacy for the women gender for economic and personal developments.

     

     

     

    Olawoye spoke on Wednesday in Malete during the Launch and Public Awareness Symposium of the institution’s Centre for Gender Studies.

     

     

     

    The symposium has it’s theme Gender, Digital Literacy and Sustainable Development: Interrogating Pathways to Inclusion.

     

     

     

    Prof. Olawoye said the Gender Digital Divide showed the gaps/differences between men’s, women’s, boy’s and girl’s access and use of technology, the internet and mobile phones, reflecting gender inequalities.

     

     

     

    She said women and girls face significantly greater barriers to accessing technology, developing digital skills and utilising the internet than men and boys.

     

     

     

    “We have to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

     

     

     

    “It is estimated that about 90 percent of jobs worldwide has a digital component, so access to digital financial services has become important for women’s economic empowerment but requires access and ability to use digital services.

     

     

     

    “Further to this, there is the need for digital literacy to enable persons to not only have access but be able to utilise the devices and platform to take advantage of these opportunities,” she said.

     

     

     

    The don however called for a nexus between gender, digital access and literacy, inclusion and sustainable development for everyone to have equal ability to take advantage of opportunities in this era of digitalisation.

     

     

     

    She said as the social dynamics, the technology and the needed skills all change, we must also adjust strategies to promote an inclusive system for all.

     

     

     

    In her lead presentation, Dr Omowumi Macaulay- Adeyelure from the University of Lagos, said the three pathways to inclusion namely, education, economic participation and cultural safety must be guaranteed for women to achieve Digital Access and literacy.

     

     

     

    She said the capabilities of women are usually constrained by social norms and by scarcity, so interventions must close both the devices gap and the gap in permission and expectations.

     

     

     

    In his remarks, KWASU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jimoh Shaykh-Luqman said the institution remained committed to gender equity and inclusion and will continue to provide an enabling environment where men and women can excel in their careers.

     

     

     

    “The establishment of the Centre for Gender Studies is a natural extension of the University’s commitment to the advancement and empowerment of women and other vulnerable groups in society.

     

     

     

    “The theme of today’s symposium is both timely and relevant because we live in a world where digital technology shapes access to information, education, employment, and participation in public life.

     

     

     

    “Yet many people, especially women and other vulnerable groups, still face challenges in accessing digital opportunities and developing digital skills.

     

     

     

    “As scholars and practitioners, we must continue to examine these challenges and explore practical solutions that promotes inclusion, equity, and sustainable development,” he said.

     

     

     

    The Acting Director, KWASU Centre for Gender Studies, Dr Latifat Olatinwo said the establishment of the Centre reflects the determination to expand the frontiers of knowledge and provide solutions to contemporary societal challenges in gender studies.

     

     

     

    She expressed optimism that the Centre would serve as a hub for impactful research, strategic partnerships, capacity building, and intellectual discourse in gender mainstreaming and inclusivity. (NAN)

  • Fed Poly Ayede commends President Tinubu for appointing Joseph Tegbe as Power Minister

    Fed Poly Ayede commends President Tinubu for appointing Joseph Tegbe as Power Minister

     

    By Sunday Adepoju

    Ayede (Ogbomosho):  The Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Oyo State has expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Engr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Nigeria’s Minister of Power.

    The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the acting Rector of the institution, Engr. Dr. Temilola Morufat Adepoju, and made available to journalists through the acting Director of the Centre for Information, Communication and Public Relations, Mr. Sunday Adepoju.

    Dr. Adepoju described the appointment of Engr. Tegbe, an illustrous son of Oyo State, as a well-deserved recognition of competence, integrity, and exemplary leadership, noting that the new Minister possesses the requisite experience and capacity to drive meaningful reforms in the nation’s power sector.

    “On behalf of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Ayede, led by Hon. Yakubu Dati (FNIPR), Members of the Council, Principal Officers, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments and Units, staff, and students, I extend our heartfelt felicitations to Engr. Joseph Tegbe on his appointment as Nigeria’s Minister of Power,” the statement read.

    The acting Rector noted that Engr. Tegbe’s track record in both the public and private sectors has distinguished him as a visionary leader committed to national development and service to humanity.

    She also expressed confidence that the Minister would bring his wealth of experience, innovative ideas, and strategic leadership to bear in addressing the challenges confronting Nigeria’s power sector and advancing the Federal Government’s agenda for sustainable energy development.

    While congratulating the new Minister, Dr. Adepoju equally thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding Engr. Tegbe worthy of the important national assignment.

    According to her, the appointment reflects the President’s commitment to placing competent and result-oriented individuals in strategic positions for the growth and development of the country.

    She prayed for divine wisdom, strength, and guidance for Engr. Tegbe as he assumes office and expressed optimism that his tenure would usher in remarkable progress in the power sector, with positive impacts on industries, educational institutions, businesses, and the general well-being of Nigerians.

    Dr. Adepoju reaffirmed the institution’s support for policies and initiatives aimed at improving electricity generation, transmission, and distribution across the country, describing reliable power supply as a critical driver of educational advancement, industrial growth, and economic prosperity.

     

  • EMR A’Ibom Unveils Maiden Executive Council, Tasks members on Sector-Focused Journalism

    EMR A’Ibom Unveils Maiden Executive Council, Tasks members on Sector-Focused Journalism

     

    By Dianabasi Effiong

    A new Executive Council of the Energy and Maritime Reporters of Nigeria (EMR), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, was formally inaugurated on Tuesday in Uyo with a charge to its leadership to make the association a leading platform for credible and professional reporting in the state and in Nigeria’s energy and maritime sectors.

    The group’s leadership unveiling brought together journalists, media executives, industry stakeholders, well-wishers, and guests.

    The swearing-in of the new leadership was part of the unveiling of EMR’s vision for the Akwa Ibom chapter, headed by Harrison Ndifreke as State Chairman.

    Other officers included Helen John Udofa, Vice Chairman; Mabel Ekanem, Secretary; Ofonime Honesty, Assistant Secretary; Josephine Ekpa, Treasurer; Deborah Young, Auditor; Udeme Utip, Public Relations Officer; Unyime Ekwere, KSJ, Welfare Officer; Solomon Okpo, Director of Programmes; and Dianabasi Effiong, Director of Marketing.

    Speaking after taking the oath of office, Ndifreke said he would drive an inclusive administration, prioritise professional development, ethical journalism, and meaningful engagement with stakeholders in the energy and maritime sectors.

    According to the state Chairman, the new executive will build a vibrant association that will empower members through continuous training, and contribute to national development by promoting accurate, balanced, and investigative reporting.

    He also expressed appreciation to the national leadership of EMR for entrusting the new team with the responsibility of steering the affairs of the Akwa Ibom chapter.

    He also assured that his team would meet members” confidence through dedicated service.

    While acknowledging the efforts of the immediate past State Chairman, Dr Saviour Ekpe, whose tenure laid a strong foundation for the growth and stability of the association, Ndifreke said he would consolidate on Ekpe’s achievements through innovative programmes and collaborative leadership.

    The state Chairman outlined a roadmap that included regular workshops and seminars, stronger collaboration with industry operators, and regulatory institutions.

    He said he would also provide a leadership that would promote investigative journalism, and initiatives that would enhance the welfare and professional capacity of members.

    He said that as long as the energy and maritime sectors continued to be strategic in Nigeria’s economic growth, journalists must be committed to holding institutions accountable while ensuring that factual and responsible reporting drives public discourse in the sector.

    Ndifreke further called on members of the association to embrace unity, discipline, and teamwork.

    He said that the success of the new chapter administration would depend on the commitment of stakeholders.

    He appealed to government agencies, development partners, and private sector operators to partner with the association to promote knowledge sharing, transparency, and sustainable development within the industries.

    The inauguration ceremony marked the beginning of a new leadership era for the Akwa Ibom State Chapter, with participants expressing confidence that the incoming Executive Council would strengthen the association’s role in promoting excellence in energy and maritime journalism and elevate its profile within the state, across Nigeria, and beyond.

    Earlier, Ekpe, who is now the National Secretary, EMR, said that the group, a subset of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), with its Beat in the oil, gas, power (electricity), and maritime sectors, had gone far in capacity building of members.

    He said that the EMR, which had been in existence for more than 10 years, is also in Abuja, Lagos, and the Niger-Delta states of Nigeria.

  • Erisco paste controversy: Court to rule on defendant’s no-case submission July 24

    Erisco paste controversy: Court to rule on defendant’s no-case submission July 24

     

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday fixed July 24 for ruling on a no-case submission filed by Mrs Chioma Okoli, a food critic, in the alleged cybercrime offences over her online commentary on Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste.

    Justice Peter Lifu fixed the date after Okoli’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, and the police lawyer, Joel Nimfa, argued their case for and against the application.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mrs Okoli was, on May 31, 2024, admitted to N5 million bail with two sureties after spending few days in a correctional centre following her arraignment on two counts on May 28, 2024.

    Okoli is being charged over her online commentary on Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste which the police alleged violated the Cybercrime Act, 2015.

    She pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

    The police had alleged that initial investigations revealed significant evidence suggesting Okoli’s involvement in breaking existing laws, especially concerning the appropriate use of cyberspace.

    It would be recalled that Okoli had, on Sept. 17, 2023, shared a Facebook post stating that she purchased Nagiko Tomato Mix from Erisco Foods, the day before and found it utterly sugary.

    Her post generated reactions and forced the management of the company to involve the police through a petition to the I-G.

    Although Justice Lifu had advised parties to explore out-of-court settlement in the case, the advice was turned down.

    However, after the prosecution closed its case after calling two witnesses, Okoli, through her lawyer, Effiong, opted for a no-case submission.

    The lawyer argued that the prosecution had been unable to present sufficient evidence to warrant Okoli to open her defence.

    In the written address in support of the no-case submission, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/470/2023 dated March 10 but filed March 11, Effiong said the application was predicated on four grounds.

    He argued that the essential ingredients of the offences charged had
    not been proved.

    He submitted that the evidence so far led by the prosecution had been so discredited under cross-examination such that no reasonable court or tribunal would convict on it.

    According to him, there is no admissible evidence linking the defendant with the
    commission of the offences with which she is charged.

    Besides, he argued that a prima facie case had not been made out against Okoli for her to be called upon to answer.

    He said the charge, which had
    been prosecuted for over three years, “is a scandalous dissipation of
    precious judicial time and an intolerable waste of scarce judicial resources.”

    According to him, this charge is not only irredeemably unsustainable given the discredited testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, but is legally unfounded and should never have found its way into the docket of this honourable court.

    Effiong, who posed two issues for determination, submitted that Exhibit CEO2, Exhibit CEO6 and Pages 1 to 3 of Exhibit CEO9 tendered by the prosecution through its 2nd prosecution witness (PW-2) are liable to be
    expunged from the record of the court, the same being legally inadmissible, having been wrongfully admitted.

    “The law is firmly settled that a trial court has a duty to expunge and
    disregard wrongfully admitted evidence,” he added.

    The lawyer, who challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case, said all the authorities cited by the prosecution were in support of his client.

    Effiong prayed the court to uphold their no-case submission.

    Responfing, Nimfa vehemently opposed Effiong’s submission.

    “Our submission is comprehensive enough to respond to the defence argument,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the prosecution, in its response to the no-case submission filed on March 27, urged the court to dismiss the application.

    The police submitted that the defendant’s address, ultimately asked the court “to do something the law clearly forbids at this stage: to weigh evidence, resolve perceived contradictions and make findings on credibility before the defence Is even called upon.”

    It said “with respect, that invitation must be declined.”

  • NDC lawyers ask Kenneth Okonkwo to retract defamatory comments against Peter Obi

    NDC lawyers ask Kenneth Okonkwo to retract defamatory comments against Peter Obi

    The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) Legal Advocates for Ethics & Integrity (LAGEI) has asked Kenneth Okonkwo, a lawyer and former actor, to retract defamatory comments made against the party’s 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

    Convener of the group, Mr Maxwell Opara, at a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, also demanded a public apology from Okonkwo.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Okonkwo, also a politician, was alleged to have accused Obi of demanding for a N10 million bribe each from aspirants who sought to contest as members of the House of Representatives from the South-East.

    Okonkwo was also alleged to have claimed that there was documentary evidence of the payments, and that Obi personally compiled the party’s list of candidates from a hotel room.

    (The Convener, Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) Legal Advocates for Ethics & Integrity (LAGEI), Mr Maxwell Opara, with his colleagues during a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja)

    Reacting, Opara who challenged Okonkwo to produce evidence or retract and apologise to Obi, said if failed, the ex-actor would be dragged to Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for appropriate sanction.

    He described the allegations by Okonkwo, a member of the African Democratic Party (ADC), as “false.”

    “The NDC Lawyers Group is constitutionally saddled with the responsibility of safeguarding and restoring the integrity, credibility, and good name of our great party, the NDC, and its Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

    “Our attention has been drawn to repeated attacks by one Kenneth Okonkwo of another political party, who has chosen to level unfounded criminal allegations against our Presidential Candidate.

    “Instead of selling the policies and vision of his own party and candidate to Nigerians, Mr Okonkwo has made it his preoccupation to malign Mr Peter Obi,” he said.

    Opara said he condemned ‘the pattern of attack in the strongest terms.”

    According to him, these allegations are baseless, malicious and designed to distract the Nigerian people from issue-based politics.

    “We therefore demand as follows:
    Kenneth Okonkwo should immediately retract all defamatory and criminal allegations against Mr Peter Obi and tender an unreserved public apology within 48 hours of this release.

    “He must stop hiding under the cover of the Igbo ethnic nationality as a shield for reckless and baseless political attacks.

    “The Igbo people, and Nigerians generally, deserve better than to be used as an excuse for political rascality.

    “He should redirect his energy to his own political party by telling Nigerians what his candidate intends to do for the country, rather than fixate on Mr Peter Obi,” he said.

    The convener said the LAGEI, the legal wing of NDC, would not watch idly while the reputation of its presidential candidate is assaulted for cheap political gain.

    “Failure to comply will leave us with no option but to activate all lawful and legal remedies available to protect the integrity of our party and candidate.

    “Politics must be about ideas, not insults. Enough is enough,” he concluded.

  • Alleged cybercrime: Court strikes out police charge against 24 foreign hackers

    Alleged cybercrime: Court strikes out police charge against 24 foreign hackers

     

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday struck out the police charge against the remaining 24 foreign hackers facing prosecution out of the 109 being tried for allegations bordering on cybercrime.

    Justice Ekerete Akpan, in a short ruling, struck out the charge for lack of diligent prosecution.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the case, which came up Oct. 23, 2025, had witnessed several adjournment due to the prosecution and defence lawyers’ attitudes.

    The police had, on Oct. 23, 2025, told the court that the whereabouts of 24 remaining foreign nationals was unknown.

    The police lawyer, Victor Okoye, had told Justice Akpan at the resumed hearing of the trial, after at least 85 of the defendants were earlier convicted, fined and ordered to be deported.

    Okoye said the 24 foreigners were yet to be apprehended by the security agency.

    “My lord, the defendants are at large and we are yet to apprehend them,” he had said.

    It would be recalled that Justice Akpan had, in August 2025, convicted 21 of the 109 foreign nationals being charged and fined them N1 million each, after they opted for a plea bargain agreement.

    The judge, who alternatively ordered them to serve a one-year jail term, also ordered their deportation from Nigeria after meeting the judgment terms.

    He further directed that all the gadgets used in the commission of the crimes should be forfeited to the Federal Government.

    Justice Akpan also, on Oct. 14, 2025, convicted a set of another 59 of the foreign hackers on the same plea bargain deal with the Nigerian Police Force, leaving 24 defendants who chose to face the trial.

    The judge then adjourned the matter until Oct. 22, 2025 and Oct. 23, 2025 for trial of the 24 defendants.

    However, when matter came up on Oct. 22, 2025, the defendants were not in court and the matter was adjourned until Oct. 23, 2025.

    However, upon resumed hearing, Okoye told the court that the defendants were still at large and that the police were yet to apprehend them.

    The lawyer informed the court that he had an amended charge and that he was ready to proceed.

    Justice Akpan told him that his amended charge cannot be taken when the defendants were not in court.

    Okoye then sought an adjournment to do the needful and the judge adjourned the matter until Dec. 10, 2025, for hearing.

    The Inspector General (I-G) of Police had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/599/2024, sued the 109 foreigners and were arraigned on six counts.

    The defendants, who included nationals of China, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand, had pleaded not guilty to the counts and were remanded in correctional centres.

    Justice Akpan had, on Nov. 29, 2024, admitted them to a N1 billion bail with five sureties each.

    The judge, who granted them bail, directed that the five sureties must have a landed property worth N200, 000 million each.

    Justice Akpan directed that the sureties must deposit the original and verified documents of their landed property with the deputy registrar of the court.

    The judge also directed the sureties to deposit their international passports.

    While the male defendants were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, the court held that the female defendants should be kept at Keffi Correctional Centre in Nasarawa State pending the perfection of their bail terms.

    The defendants, who had all met their bail terms, were, in 2024, arrested by the police.

    They were apprehended in their residence at Plot 1906, Cadestral Zone 807, Katampe District of Abuja, where they were said to be engaging in cybercrime by allegedly promoting “a fraudulent and unregistered gaming platform.”

    In the six-count charge, the foreigners were charged with cybercrime, money laundering and unlawfully residing in Nigeria, etc.

    In one of the counts, they were alleged to have aided, abetted, conspired among themselves “to commit an offence, to wit; cybercrime.”

    They were alleged to have commited the offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).

    They were also alleged to have accessed a computer network and input with the intention that such inauthentic data will be considered or acted upon as If they were authentic or genuine.

    The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 13 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).

    Again, they were alleged to have removed “from Nigeria proceeds generated from operating a fraudulent and unregistered gambling platforms.

    “These platforms are 9f.com, c2.top, 8pg.top and you thereby commit money laundering, contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

    The defendants were also accused of entering “the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a business permit of 30 days duration and failed to leave the Nigerian territory at the expiration of the said permit.

    The offence is contrary to the provisions of Section 4 (2) and punishable under Section 44 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act 2015.”

  • Federal High Court to begin annual vacation July 27

    Federal High Court to begin annual vacation July 27

     

     

    The Federal High Court (FHC) will, on July 27, proceed on its annual vacation on July 27, the Chief Judge (CJ), Justice John Tsoho, announced on Wednesday.

    Justice Tsoho, in a statement issued by Mrs Catherine Christopher, the FHC’s Director of Information on Wednesday in Abuja, said the vacation would come to an end on Sept. 11.

    He said the announcement was pursuant to Order 46, Rule 4(d) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

    “The annual vacation is scheduled to begin on July 27 and on Sept. 11.

    “During the vacation period, the court will continue to provide judicial services in urgent matters through designated vacation courts.

    “Accordingly, the Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Enugu Judicial Divisions will remain operational to entertain cases requiring immediate judicial attention.

    “Members of the public and legal practitioners are advised to file and prosecute urgent matters only at the designated vacation courts closest to them,” the statement said.

    Justice Joyce Abdulmalik and Justice Obiora Egwuatu will preside over matters in the Abuja division; while Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Ogazi Nkemakonam would be for the Lagos division.

    Also, Justice P. M. Ayua and Justice A. T. Mohammed would be adjudicating at Port Harcourt division, while Justice F. O. G. Ogunbanjo and Justice M. T. Segun-Bello would be presiding at Enugu division.

    The Chief Judge wished his fellow Lordships a pleasant vacation in advance.

  • 2026 UTME: I-G arraigns 5 for allegedly hacking into JAMB server

     

    The police is set to arraign five suspects for allegedly hacking into the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)’s server during the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations Computer-Based Test (UTME CBT).

    The Inspector-General (I-G) of Police had, in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/300/2026, accused the defendants of allegations bordering on cybercrime, examination malpractices and cheating.

    The I-G is the complainant in the charge dated and filed on May 22 by the prosecuting counsel, Faith Dimka, before Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    The police boss named Ojiyovwi Miracle, Goodluck Ovuijeddo, Dennis Uvietesivwi, Ransome Monday and Hilda Ejohwemu as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

    In count one the defendants, who reside in Delta, were alleged to have conspired among themselves to commit the offence bordering on unlawful access to a computer and computer related fraud.

    In count two, they were alleged to have, “on April 20, 2026, without authorisation, intentionally access in whole or in part, a computer system and network, that they were able to access the JAMB server remotely by installing a software by name, RADMI software in over 200 systems used for UTME CBT.”

    The police alleged that “after it was installed, the system was operated remotely on its own, for fraudulent purposes and obtain data that are vital to national security within the jurisdiction of this honourable court.”

    Count three accused the defendants of knowingly and without authority on April 20, caused loss of property by altering, erasing, imputing and suppressing data for the purpose of conferring economic benefit to themselves against JAMB during the UTME CBT.

    In count four, the suspects were alleged to have conspired among themselves “to commit offence to wit cheating at examination and aiding and abetting examination malpractice within the jurisdiction of this honourable court.”

    They were also accused in count five to have, on April 20, “by any fraudulent trick or device, by false pretence and with intent to cheat or secure undue advantage procure any question paper produced or intended to be used at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) during the UTME CBT.”

    The defendants were alleged in count six to have, on April 20, conspired, aided, abetted, counseled, incited, procured and induced persons to commit examination malpractice during the UTME CBT.

    While counts one, two and three are offences punishable under sections of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024); counts four, five and six are punishable under provisions of Examination Malpractice Act, 1999 (LFN 2004).

    Although the defendants were scheduled for arraignment before Justice Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, the hearing could not proceed.

    When the case was called, the judge raised observation that since all the defendants were residing in Delta, it would be better for the case to be heard at the court’s division in the state in order to ensure expeditious prosecution.

    Counsel to the I-G, Faith Dimka, and lawyers to the defendants did not oppose the judge’s advice.

    Justice Liman subsequently ordered that the case file be returned to the central registry for onward transfer to Delta.