By Abigail David

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to the Federal Government.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) established the legal threshold of “reasonable suspicion” required under the law to support the forfeiture application.

The court ruled that Malami, his family members and companies connected to the properties did not sufficiently rebut the EFCC’s allegation that the assets were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.

Justice Abdulmalik also dismissed applications filed by the respondents challenging the proceedings, stating that the central issue before the court was the legitimacy of the funds used to acquire the properties rather than ownership.

Relying on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, the court granted the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture of 48 properties. However, it discharged the interim forfeiture order on some of the assets.

The EFCC had initiated civil forfeiture proceedings in January, seeking the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties valued at about ₦212.8 billion, alleging they were proceeds of unlawful activities. Following an interim forfeiture order, Malami, members of his family and several companies challenged the application, arguing that the assets were lawfully acquired and that the commission had not established a link between the properties and any unlawful conduct.

By Abigail David

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has released the names of successful candidates recruited into the Nigeria Police Force as Police Constables following the completion of the nationwide recruitment exercise for 50,000 personnel.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the PSC’s Head of Protocol and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, the commission said candidates who participated in the written examination can check their recruitment status on the official recruitment portal.

The PSC said the portal would be accessible from 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026, and that successful applicants would also receive notifications through the email addresses and phone numbers used during registration.

Successful candidates are expected to report to their designated police training institutions on dates to be announced for medical examinations and documentation. The commission warned that candidates who fail to report within the stipulated period would be deemed to have declined the offer, while those who do not pass the medical examination would be withdrawn from the training programme.

Applicants are required to report with their training call-up slip, National Identification Number (NIN) slip, Bank Verification Number (BVN) slip, original and photocopies of their credentials, and other documents listed on the recruitment portal.

PSC Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Hashimu Argungu, thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the recruitment, describing it as part of efforts to strengthen the Nigeria Police Force and improve national security.

By Abigail David

A former Assistant Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mohammed Ngoshe, says sustained pressure from security agencies forced the abductors of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to release their captives.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Ngoshe commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for the rescue operation, urging Nigerians to recognise their efforts.

He said security operatives isolated the kidnappers’ hideout, restricted their movement and disrupted their supply lines, making it difficult for them to obtain food, weapons and intelligence.

According to Ngoshe, the coordinated operation left the abductors with limited options, eventually leading to the release of the victims.

“There was a congregation of security forces, and positions were taken after the location was isolated. They were denied access to food, weapons and their informants,” he said.

Ngoshe also disclosed that three security personnel were killed during the operation after encountering improvised explosive devices (IEDs) while advancing on the kidnappers’ location.

He said the abductors released the pupils and teachers as security forces intensified operations around their hideout before troops continued with the operation.

The rescue followed the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, an incident that prompted a coordinated response by the military, police and other security agencies.