By Our Reporter

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested an Abuja businessman, Innocent Ezuma, over allegations of defrauding a Ukrainian investor of more than $120m.

Ezuma, 57, was arrested at his Abuja residence on Monday, October 19, and has remained in the commission’s custody.

The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed his arrest to our correspondent when contacted on Tuesday.

However, sources said he was accused of advance fee fraud, criminal breach of trust, criminal conversion, obtaining money under false pretences, theft and money laundering.

“Ezuma allegedly obtained the dollars from the Ukrainian investor between 2007 and 2015 for mineral exploration and power projects that were never delivered.

“The funds were allegedly diverted for personal use, while investigators are examining transfers of billions of naira to companies and individuals linked to the businessman, including his children.”

Another source said the commission was expanding its investigation and seeking information from members of the public and the businessman’s former associates.

“The allegations also concern Ezuma’s earlier business dealings in Ukraine and Nigeria.

“In the mid-2000s, he allegedly persuaded two Ukrainian businessmen to finance the privatisation of Jos Steel Rolling Mill in Plateau State before taking exclusive control of the facility, stripping it of assets and abandoning hundreds of workers without wages.

“He was also accused of shooting and seriously injuring one of his business partners during a confrontation in Ukraine on April 28, 2008, before fleeing to Nigeria, ” the source said.

When contacted, Oyewale confirmed that the agency arrested the businessman at this Abuja residence on Monday and has been since been in custody.

He declined to give other details

Our Reporter 

The Peoples’ Assembly for Good Governance (PAGG) has condemned what it described as intimidation of the opposition by the Edo State Government using state apparatus.

The condemnation followed the arraignment of the father of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Edo South Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, Hon.Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, over alleged trumped-up charges.

It will be recalled that the 90-year-old, Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, was arrested by armed policemen from the Edo State Police Command at about 4 a.m. from his residence in Amagba, a suburb of Benin City, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

The nonagenarian was arraigned alongside three others at the Edo State Special Criminal Court on Monday, October 19, 2026, on allegations of cultism, conspiracy, attempted murder and land dispute. They were admitted to bail in the sum of ₦1 million each.

Reacting to the development, PAGG, in a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor, and National Secretary, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nkama, described the arrest and arraignment as an attempt to muzzle the opposition ahead of the elections.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the arrest and arraignment of Pa Iduoriyekemwen over alleged cultism, attempted murder and other false charges by policemen who invaded his residence in commando style, at a time when he was supposed to be enjoying his sleep.

“How could they allege that a 90-year-old great-grandfather is a cultist? How on earth could they have charged him to a Special Court that is not known to our Constitution?

“The arraignment by the police is nothing but the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob. We make bold to say that the real target of the whole incident is the ADC senatorial candidate, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, with the 

” the group said.

The Group warned that no amount of intimidation and victimization will suppress the voice of opposition in the state, adding that the people are ready to do the needful. 

“This present government in Edo state is very intolerant to the opposition, whereas opposition in whatever form is the beauty of democracy. 

“Let it be known that the good people of Edo can see the deceit of the current government and the pain it is inflicting on them. They know what to do and are ready to vote out bad governance, come 2027”, it added.

“We, therefore, call on Governor Monday Okpebholo to order the immediate withdrawal of the case against Pa Iduoriyemkewen in the interest of peace, remembering that Hon Iduoriyekme has served this state meritorious,” Isibor posited. 

Macaulay Edward 

A 26-year-old man identified simply as Tari, popularly known as Heavyweight, has been macheted to death following a clash between two rival youth factions in Diema community in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The deceased was reportedly a member of a youth faction loyal to His Highness Ingo Ikele, the Amayanabo of Diema-Brass.

A source disclosed that the crisis began when His Highness Ingo Ikele reportedly directed youths loyal to him to participate in an inspection visit to a parcel of land earmarked for a crude oil tank farm by an oil company yet to be identified.

The youths were reportedly resisted by another faction loyal to His Highness Baratuaipre Amaene, described as a rival traditional ruler in the community.

The disagreement reportedly escalated into a violent confrontation, resulting in the death of the young man who hails from Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri Nembe).

The deceased youth, according to sources close to the Divional Police headquarters, was rushed to the hospital but medical practitioners on duty declared him dead on arrival.

Contacted on the development, the Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, said normalcy had been restored to the area, adding that an investigation was ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the clash.