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EFCC Arraigns Former MD Of Warri Refinery for Alleged N1.339bn Fraud

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By Francis Wilfred

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned the former Managing Director of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Ltd, Jimoh Olasunkanmi Yisawu before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja for alleged money laundering to the tune of N1.339 billion. According to a press statement signed by the Head Media and publicity Dele Oyewale of the EFCC, he was arraigned on Monday, July 20, 2026 on an eight-count charge of alleged money laundering.

According to one of the charges, the defendant allegedly converted a total of $789,950 between October 2023 and May 2025 in Abuja through one Samaila Bala. The prosecution alleged that the amount did not form part of Yisawu’s lawful earnings as a public officer and that he knew the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.

In another count, the EFCC alleged that between February 2024 and March 2025 in Lagos, Yisawu indirectly converted $122,600 through Rasheed Olaitan Yusuf of Rasheedat Anike Global Ventures. The commission maintained that the funds were not part of his legitimate earnings and were proceeds of unlawful activities.The anti-graft agency further accused the former refinery boss of transferring N65.86 million to Cordros Securities Limited on February 21, 2024, for the purchase of treasury bills for himself. Prosecutors alleged that he reasonably ought to have known that the money represented proceeds of unlawful activity.

The offences are said to contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and are punishable under the same law.The EFCC told the court that the charges stem from investigations into the financial activities of the former WRPC managing director while serving in public office.The case is expected to proceed with the prosecution presenting evidence to substantiate the allegations against the defendant. However, Yisawu is presumed innocent unless and until the charges are proven beyond reasonable doubt by the court.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him, prompting his counsel, Wale Balogun, SAN to pray the court to grant his client bail, promising that he will always be available in court for trial. Subsequently, EFCC’s lead counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN told the court he had filed a 17- paragraph affidavit asking the court to deny the defendant bail citing the seriousness of the alleged offence.

Upon hearing the submissions of both parties, Justice Ekwo granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500 million and a surety in like sum. He said the surety must be a responsible citizen and owner of landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. He directed the court registrar to verify the property and ensure the deposit of the original papers of the property with the court.

Justice Ekwo also ruled that the defendant should deposit his international passport with the court and ensure that he does not travel out of the jurisdiction of the court without the prior permission of the court. He held that the ddefendant should remain in the custody of the EFCC, pending the time he meets the bail conditions.The case was adjourned to 26, 27 and 28 of October 2026.

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Group Lists Tinubu’s Achievements, Reaffirms Support For Renewed Hope Agenda

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Supporters of Team Gbaja on Friday held a sensitisation and mobilisation rally for Nigeria’s North Central Zone, where they reaffirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and commended the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for what they described as his commitment to public service.

Addressing participants at the rally, the National Spokesperson of Team Gbaja, Tabuko Kennedy, said the gathering was aimed at promoting democratic participation, peaceful engagement, and national development.

Kennedy said supporters of the Tinubu administration believe the government’s performance should be assessed based on “measurable actions and visible results,” highlighting several initiatives and developments they said demonstrate progress under the current administration.

Among the achievements cited were the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State through what he described as a coordinated multi-agency security operation without the payment of ransom.

He also pointed to the commencement of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as one of Nigeria’s largest infrastructure projects intended to improve transportation, trade, and economic growth.

Other initiatives highlighted included the implementation of the Student Loan Scheme to improve access to higher education, increased investment in federal road infrastructure across the country’s six geopolitical zones, reforms in the oil and gas sector aimed at boosting local refining capacity, enhanced collaboration among security agencies to address insecurity, and
ongoing economic reforms focusing on agriculture, investment, digital innovation, and social intervention programmes.

According to Kennedy, these initiatives have strengthened the confidence of many supporters in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and justify continued public support.

He urged participants to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the rally, stressing that the event was intended to exercise citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression and association.

“We are not here to insult anyone. We are not here to threaten anyone. We are here to demonstrate our constitutional right to freedom of expression and association,” he said.

Kennedy also encouraged supporters to continue engaging their communities through peaceful mobilisation, civic participation, voter education, and constructive dialogue aimed at promoting national unity, security, and development.

The rally concluded with calls for continued support for Team Gbaja, the North Central Zone, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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Group Rallies Support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Lauds Gbajabiamila

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Supporters of Team Gbaja on Friday held a sensitisation and mobilisation rally for Nigeria’s North Central Zone, where they reaffirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and commended the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for what they described as his commitment to public service.

Addressing participants at the rally, the National Spokesperson of Team Gbaja, Tabuko Kennedy, said the gathering was aimed at promoting democratic participation, peaceful engagement, and national development.

Kennedy said supporters of the Tinubu administration believe the government’s performance should be assessed based on “measurable actions and visible results,” highlighting several initiatives and developments they said demonstrate progress under the current administration.

Among the achievements cited were the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State through what he described as a coordinated multi-agency security operation without the payment of ransom.

He also pointed to the commencement of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as one of Nigeria’s largest infrastructure projects intended to improve transportation, trade, and economic growth.

Other initiatives highlighted included the implementation of the Student Loan Scheme to improve access to higher education, increased investment in federal road infrastructure across the country’s six geopolitical zones, reforms in the oil and gas sector aimed at boosting local refining capacity, enhanced collaboration among security agencies to address insecurity, and ongoing economic reforms focusing on agriculture, investment, digital innovation, and social intervention programmes.

According to Kennedy, these initiatives have strengthened the confidence of many supporters in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and justify continued public support.

He urged participants to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the rally, stressing that the event was intended to exercise citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression and association.

“We are not here to insult anyone. We are not here to threaten anyone. We are here to demonstrate our constitutional right to freedom of expression and association,” he said.

Kennedy also encouraged supporters to continue engaging their communities through peaceful mobilisation, civic participation, voter education, and constructive dialogue aimed at promoting national unity, security, and development.

The rally concluded with calls for continued support for Team Gbaja, the North Central Zone, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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FG to Launch Military Medical College for Armed Forces in 2026

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By Abigail David

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences, with the first set of military medical cadets expected to begin training during the 2026 academic session.

Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, announced the initiative in Abuja while inaugurating a Technical Working Group tasked with accelerating the college’s establishment. According to a statement from the ministry, the institution is intended to provide a dedicated pipeline of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals trained specifically for military service.

Alausa said the project would reduce the Armed Forces’ reliance on civilian universities for medical personnel and strengthen healthcare support for military operations. He noted that the college would focus on producing professionals equipped to meet the unique demands of military and battlefield medicine.

The minister also highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to expand medical education nationwide, stating that admissions into Medicine and Dentistry have increased to over 10,000 annually, while nursing enrolment has risen significantly.

The Technical Working Group, comprising representatives from the Ministries of Education and Defence, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders, has been directed to develop the curriculum, secure accreditation and ensure the institution is ready for the 2026 academic session.

Chairman of the committee, Major General Idris Babatunde Solebo, said the college would operate from the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna and follow a model similar to the Uniformed Services University in the United States. He added that medical cadets would receive both academic and military training, including battlefield medicine and Tactical Combat Casualty Care.

According to Solebo, the Armed Forces currently face a significant shortage of medical personnel, making the new institution a key step toward strengthening military healthcare capacity.

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