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Auction of Vehicles: EFCC to Review Complaints Against Auctioneers

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, notes with concern the reported unsavoury experiences of some Nigerians who participated in the just concluded public auction of forfeited vehicles conducted by accredited auctioneers on behalf of the Commission.

Among the complaints received by the Commission were the inability of some citizens to access the websites of the auctioneers, being shut out from the platforms after submitting bids and outrageous bid prices, among others.

Relevant Departments of the Commission monitored the exercise and can confirm that there were glitches. This observation was communicated to the auctioneers for remedial action. The Commission could, however, not directly intervene while the exercise was ongoing because the process had been assigned to duly accredited and licensed auctioneers in line with provisions of Sections 4(a)(b) of the Proceeds of Crime ( Recovery and Management) Act, 2022 and Section 55 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

The complaints arising from the exercise are rather unfortunate and detracts from the plan of the Commission in settling for online auction which was designed to provide a platform for seamless and transparent participation by millions of Nigerians interested in purchasing the forfeited assets.

Without making excuses for the auctioneers, it is possible that the sheer number of participants in the exercise (over 4million) perhaps stretched the carrying capacity of the online facilities of the auctioneers, while unstable internet service in parts of the country exacerbated the challenge.

The Commission is currently awaiting the report of the auctioneers and assures that genuine complaints by members of the public will be reviewed to ensure that no one is short-changed in the exercise. Those who follow through the process without glitches and emerged winners will certainly be allocated their vehicles.

The Commission’s only interest in the public auction is to ensure that the assets are disposed of in the most transparent manner and the nation gets value for the assets. This cannot be compromised under any circumstance.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

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Billionaire kidnapper Evans seeks plea bargain, says he now teaches prisoners

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Convicted billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, has told the Lagos State High Court, sitting at Tafa Balewa Square, that he is now a teacher at the correctional centre in Kirikiri after obtaining a diploma in Economics from the Yewa College of Education, and that he is no longer a criminal.
Evans said he was prepared to surrender all his property, as part of a plea bargain agreement, should the court consider his application on compassionate grounds.
This was contained in his application for plea bargain.
He pledged to forfeit his 14 new trucks to the Lagos State Government for sale, with the proceeds to be transferred to the victims of his criminal activities, as part of the proposed plea bargain arrangement

This is the second time Evans has approached a court seeking a plea bargain for his involvement in kidnapping.
On January 30, 2025, he approached Justice Adenike Coker of the Ikeja High Court to ask for a plea bargain.
Evans had five criminal cases across various high courts in Lagos State.

Two of these have already resulted in convictions, one of which carries a life sentence, while the other has a 21-year prison term.

 

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Road accident claims life of pedestrians in Ogun

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A tragic road accident has claimed the life of a pedestrian, identified as Auwalu Abdulkadir.

The accident occurred at about 2:05 p.m. on Friday along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Ekwutosblog learnt that the accident involved a Kia commercial bus registered as LAGOS MUS 200 YE, whose driver—yet to be identified—was traveling against traffic when one of the vehicle’s tyres detached while in motion.

The rolling tyre struck the victim, a truck driver from Kano State, who died instantly at Kara Under Bridge.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, told Ekwutosblog on Saturday that the driver of the Kia bus fled, abandoning the vehicle.

Odutola said, “The divisional police officer has reported a tragic accident that claimed the life of a pedestrian, Auwalu Abdulkadir, after a tyre detached from a moving vehicle and struck him at Kara Under Bridge, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, on February 21, 2025, at about 1405 hrs.

“The accident involved a Kia commercial bus (Reg. No. LAGOS MUS 200 YE), whose driver—yet to be identified—was traveling against traffic when one of the vehicle’s tyres detached while in motion.

“The rolling tyre fatally struck Auwalu Abdulkadir, a truck driver from Kano State, who died instantly at the scene. Following the incident, the driver of the Kia bus fled, abandoning the vehicle.”

She noted that the abandoned bus was towed to the police station for safekeeping and further inspection by the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO).

Odutola revealed that the body of the deceased has been deposited at Real Divine Touch Mortuary, and efforts are underway to locate and arrest the fleeing driver.

She added, “The heavy presence of policemen further assisted in clearing the obstruction and ensuring the free flow of traffic, and the body of the deceased has been deposited at Real Divine Touch Mortuary.

“Ibafo police officers from the Motor Traffic Division (MOTOPOL) responded promptly to the scene, documented evidence, and conducted a preliminary investigation, including taking photographs and drawing a rough sketch map of the accident site.”

Meanwhile, the Command urged all motorists to adhere to traffic regulations and ensure proper vehicle maintenance to prevent such tragic accidents.

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Army, Police renew partnership to fight crime in Abia

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A delegation from 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, led by the new Brigade Commander, Brigadier General H.M. Bello, has paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, at the State Headquarters, Umuahia.

During the visit on Thursday, Bello, who recently assumed office as the Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade Ohafia, recognized the police as the lead security agency in internal security, and called for full collaboration at all levels between the police and the Army to assist in security operations within the State.

Responding, Isa reaffirmed his commitment to inter-agency collaboration.

He highlighted the importance of actionable intelligence sharing and strengthened synergy between both security agencies to enhance security operations and promote peace and stability in Abia State.

The visit concluded with further strategies by both agencies to combat crime in the state, reiterating their commitment to upholding professionalism and discipline among officers.

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