news

ALDRAP urges EFCC to disqualify Legal Aid DG as Malami surety

Published

10 months ago

December 24, 2025

ALDRAP urges EFCC to disqualify Legal Aid Council DG as surety for Abubakar Malami, citing zero score on ICPC 2024 anti-corruption index

The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to disqualify the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council from acting as surety for former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

Also read: EFCC Uncovers N212bn Assets Linked to Malami

The call follows a Federal Capital Territory High Court ruling on Tuesday granting Malami interim bail in an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption.

The court’s bail conditions include the surrender of Malami’s international passport and the execution of bail bonds by two sureties, one of whom is the Legal Aid Council DG, alongside a serving member of the House of Representatives representing Augie/Argungu Federal Constituency.

In a letter dated 24 December 2025 and addressed to the EFCC chairman, ALDRAP argued that the Legal Aid Council DG is unfit to serve as a bail surety, citing the agency’s zero percent score in the 2024 anti-corruption index released by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The association’s Secretary, Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, emphasised that under Section 167(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, a surety must meet integrity and ethical standards, which the DG allegedly fails to satisfy.

“Such a person who refused to comply with the ICPC anti-corruption index is not fit and proper to stand as surety for Malami, who is himself undergoing investigation and prosecution for corruption,” the letter stated.

ALDRAP highlighted its mandate to ensure both individuals and institutions comply with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, and other relevant laws, describing the request as an application of legal and ethical standards in the administration of justice.

Also read: Opposition Accuses Tinubu of Weaponising EFCC Ahead of 2027

The EFCC has not publicly responded to the request at the time of filing this report.

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crime

Police Arrest Convicted Drug Dealer, Rescue 14-Year-Old Boy in Bauchi

Published

2 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi drug dealer arrest leads to the rescue of a 14-year-old boy allegedly used as a drug courier and the recovery of suspected illicit substances

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer and rescued a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly being used to deliver illicit drugs in the state.

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The command said operatives of its Violent Crimes Response Unit intercepted the teenager during a routine patrol and recovered a granular whitish substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to Habib, the operatives, led by the unit’s officer-in-charge, intercepted the minor, identified as Samuel Nkemakolan Kosi, at about 11 am on October 26, 2026, while he was allegedly on his way to deliver the suspected drug, also known as Ice, to a customer.

The statement said the teenager told investigators that he had been sent by Samuel Ogochukwu, a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery.

“Upon interrogation, the minor confessed that he was sent by one Samuel Ogochukwu, 22 years old, a convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery,” Habib said.

Following the information, detectives traced Ogochukwu to his location and arrested him.

A search of the suspect’s shop and residence reportedly led to the recovery of 3.5 grammes of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine, 17 sachets of 100mg tramadol capsules, five sachets of 300mg pregabalin capsules and seven sachets of diazepam.

The police also recovered 12 Exol tablets, two wraps of a substance known as Yellow Boys and one sachet of Shine Shine Leather.

Habib said the principal suspect told investigators that he received supplies of illicit drugs through waybills from Onitsha, Anambra State.

The police spokesman added that the 14-year-old had been handled in accordance with juvenile best practices and would be reunited with his family after counselling.

“The 14-year-old minor has been handled in line with juvenile best practices and will be reunited with his family after counselling, while the principal suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives for their work and urged the public to remain alert to criminal activity.

According to Habib, the commissioner said four major drug busts and subsequent convictions recorded within 10 days demonstrated the command’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking.