By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

The arraignment of Alhaji Usman Idris Makanta before the Minna Chief Magistrate Court number one Monday took a dramatic tune as the presiding Chief Magistrate Murtala Mohammed Ibrahim rescued himself from the case directing the operatives of the CP Monitoring Squad to arraign him in the appropriate court within the next twenty four hours

Usman Idris Makanta who is the Shikafa Nupe and a one time governorship aspirant under the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Niger State was arraigned in court on Six count charges which include Cheating criminal breach of trust, aiding and abetting advance fee fraud and other fraud related offences act.

Idris Makanta who appeared in court along with his relatives was ushered in the dock decked in white caftan with cap to match was in the dock for closer to two hours until his counsel applied to the court to allow him a chair to sit in the dock throughout the court proceedings.

However, the Presiding Chief Magistrate Mohammed Ibrahim Murtala did not take his plea as the Police prosecuting attorney applied to withdraw the earlier charge brought against the defendant who was alleged to have conspired along with some clusters to defraud an Agricultural organization in Niger State Niger Food.

Several calls put to him by the management of Niger Food to produce the clusters he stood as their guarantor he refused to pick their calls until he was picked by the operatives of the CP Monitoring Squad of Niger State Police Command.

His arrest according to Police Source was sequel to a petition filed against him by one Alfred Omotugba Chain Manager Niger Foods Security Logistics Company Minna on behalf of Niger Foods Limited to the office of the Commissioner of Police calling for Discret Investigation

He was earlier arraigned before the same court on the 3rd of November,by the men of the CP Monitoring Squad of the Niger State Police Command and was granted bail on Police First Information Report (FIR), marked MN/CR/CMC/55/2025

The Police prosecuting attorney,Asp Emmanuel Ochayi Monday re- arraigned Alhaji Usman Idris Makanta in court seeking the replacement of the Police First Information Report with the earlier one he was arraigned for, the request Chief Magistrate Murtala Mohammed Ibrahim refused.

Asp Emmanuel Ochayi had earlier told the court that the replacement of the First Information Report was as a result of a petition received from the management of Niger Food against the defendant applicant.

The Petition according to the Police Prosecuting attorney carried more information and allegations relating to the involvement of the Shikafa Nupe and the Clusters he surety to defraud the Niger Foods to the tune of( N3.7b) three point seven billion naira.

The defense counsel Mohammed Tsado Esq Mohammed had objected to the re-arraring the defendant in court and replacing the Police First Information Report FIR with the new one as requested by the Police prosecuting attorney.

Barrister Tsado argued that the defendant was granted bail after his earlier arraignment on the the 3rd of November,2025 “ after perfecting the bail condition the same police came back to re-arrest him.

“ There are contempt charges I filed against the Commissioner of Police at the Federal High Court which was served on him. My Lord, I want to request that you reject the request made to replace the new charge as brought by the police attorney because there is contempt filed at the Federal High Court “ Tsado told the court.

After all the submissions and their arguments, Chief Magistrate Mohammed Ibrahim Murtala ruled that “ have analysing both arguments from the prosecuting attorney and the defense counsel, the court lack the jurisdiction to try the case as a result of the amended charge of advance fee fraud which can only be try in either Federal High Court or state High Court.

“ With these amended charges I hereby disqualified myself from continuing with this case. I directed that within the next twenty four hours the police should hereby arraign the defendant in the Federal High Court for further prosecution. This is the submission of the court “ Chief Magistrate Mohammed Ibrahim Murtala declared.

By Our Correspondent

In its fight against fraudulent politicians,the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and one-time Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, wanted over an alleged $14.8 million fraud.

In a statement issued on Monday, by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency said Sylva is being sought in connection with a case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of funds belonging to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

The EFCC alleged that Sylva conspired with others to divert $14,859,257 — funds reportedly injected by the NCDMB into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.

The Commission disclosed that it secured a warrant for Sylva’s arrest on November 6, 2025, from a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

The order, issued by Justice D.I. Dipeolu, authorizes the EFCC, the police, or any law enforcement agency to arrest the former minister and bring him before the Commission for questioning.

Quoting the order, the EFCC stated: “An order is made issuing a warrant to the Applicant or any Officer of the Commission, Police, or any law enforcement officer for the arrest of the Respondent for the purpose of bringing him before the Commission to answer to the criminal offence he is alleged to have committed.”

The anti-graft agency appealed to members of the public with credible information about Sylva’s whereabouts to contact any of its zonal offices across the country, the nearest police station, or other security agencies.

Sylva, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), served as Bayelsa State governor between 2007 and 2012 before his appointment as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The EFCC’s declaration adds to ongoing corruption investigations involving former public officials in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, as the Commission intensifies efforts to recover misappropriated public funds.

In a dsplay of justice reform, over 328 inmates have regained their freedom under the ongoing Prison Decongestion Programme of the present administration in Ebonyi state .

Special Assistant to the governor on new media, Mr Leo Ekene Oketa who made this disclosure in a statement said Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, took a historic step toward transforming the lives of hundreds of inmates and reshaping the justice landscape of the State.

Oketa described the initiative as a triumph of justice and a profound testament to the administration’s People’s Charter of Needs philosophy governance driven by compassion, fairness, and inclusivity.

He recalled that when the present administration took over, Ebonyi correctional facilities held 1,368 inmates, many of whom were either awaiting trial or serving sentences under harsh economic conditions.

According to him, the Ministry of Justice, recognizing the urgent need to restore hope and dignity, launched a holistic decongestion initiative focused on legal redress, financial assistance, and restorative justice.

The Special Assistant noted that 51 former fighters from Ekoli Edda were granted full amnesty by Governor Nwifuru for all State-related offences, in a gesture that underscores his administration’s commitment to forgiveness, reconciliation, and community healing.

He also noted that 159 former combatants from the Effium and Ezza Effium crisis were granted amnesty and enrolled in a State-approved de-radicalization and reintegration programme, adding that it did not only decongest the correctional system but also created a platform for peace building, social reintegration, and long-term stability in affected communities.

“Through the concerted efforts of the Ministry of Justice, led by the dynamic Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ben Uruchi Odoh, all the landmark achievement in the justice system were carried out.

“Beyond the walls of the correctional centers, the State also took bold strides in consolidating peace and security. 51 former fighters from Ekoli Edda were granted full amnesty by Governor Nwifuru for all State-related offences, in a gesture that underscores his administration’s commitment to forgiveness, reconciliation, and community healing.

“Similarly, 159 former combatants from the Effium and Ezza Effium crisis were granted amnesty and enrolled in a State-approved de-radicalization and reintegration program. This initiative not only decongested the correctional system but also created a platform for peace building, social reintegration, and long-term stability in affected communities.

“The Office of the Public Defender (OPD) also played a pivotal role by securing nine (9) legal victories, resulting in the release of nine wrongfully detained or underserved inmates. This achievement highlights the administration’s dedication to ensuring that justice is not only served but seen to be served, especially for those who cannot afford legal representation. With these combined efforts,

“Ebonyi State has reduced its inmate population from 1,368 to 1,013 (as of 05/11/2025) – a significant milestone that sets a new record in the State’s justice reform journey.

“The Ebonyi State Prison Decongestion Program stands today as a model for other states – a reminder that meaningful governance begins when justice is tempered with mercy”, he stated.