From the EFCC summoning former Bayelsa governor Timipre Sylva over an alleged $14.86m fraud to revelations that public funds were moved from a local government account into cryptocurrency wallets, fresh anti-corruption developments dominate the morning headlines.
In the United States, a former Los Angeles gang leader has been found guilty of murdering rap icon Tupac Shakur three decades after the killing. Ahead of the 2027 elections, INEC is investigating how names allegedly unknown to the Nigeria Democratic Congress appeared on its candidate list.
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court has restrained the NMDPRA from shutting down or interfering with Dangote Refinery operations.
Here’s your complete morning roundup:
1. EFCC summons ex-gov Sylva over alleged $14.86m fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has asked former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva to make himself available for questioning over an alleged $14.86m fraud after declaring him wanted. The development came shortly after Sylva announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress and accused the EFCC of acting as an organ of the ruling party.
EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, responding to the former governor’s allegation, said Sylva should cooperate with the investigation. “He has been declared wanted; he should make himself available to the commission,” Oyewale said.
Sylva, who was also a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, accused the APC-led Federal Government of disappointing Nigerians and said he could no longer remain in the party.
READ MORE: https:///efcc-summons-ex-gov-sylva-over-alleged-14-86m-fraud/
2. Public funds moved from LG account into crypto wallets – EFCC
The EFCC has disclosed that public funds were moved from a local government account to a private company and subsequently transferred into cryptocurrency wallets. EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said the commission detected the suspicious transactions and froze the account for 72 hours to determine where the money was going.
Olukoyede said the commission could not ignore suspicious movements of public funds, asking, “Why must we be waiting for money to be stolen? Why can’t we change the narrative?”
He said some public officials now allegedly use young people as fronts to move funds through cryptocurrency wallets, adding that the EFCC had developed the capacity to trace wallets linked to virtual asset platforms registered in Nigeria.
READ MORE: https:///public-funds-moved-from-lg-account-into-crypto-wallets-efcc/
3. Ex-LA gang leader found guilty of Tupac’s murder
Thirty years after Tupac Shakur was killed, a Las Vegas jury has found former Los Angeles gang member Duane “Keffe D” Davis guilty of the rapper’s murder. The 63-year-old was convicted after jurors deliberated for several hours over the 1996 killing.
Davis was accused of ordering the shooting after his nephew was beaten by members of Shakur’s entourage at a Las Vegas casino. Prosecutor Binu Palal told the jury that Davis “acquired a firearm, got his group together, and went hunting for Mr Shakur.”
Davis, who faces possible life imprisonment without parole, maintained his innocence and said after the verdict that he intended to appeal. Sentencing is scheduled for October 13.
READ MORE: https:///ex-la-gang-leader-found-guilty-of-tupacs-murder/
4. 2027: INEC probes source of ‘strange’ names in NDC list
The Independent National Electoral Commission has begun examining its records to establish how names allegedly not authorised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress appeared on its list of candidates for the 2027 elections, particularly in Anambra State.
INEC said its electronic records and audit trail could establish how the names entered its candidate nomination portal. Its spokesman, Adedayo Oketola, said, “INEC does not nominate candidates for political parties.”
The NDC had alleged that nine names unknown to the party were uploaded as its candidates in some Anambra constituencies. INEC urged the party to provide evidence and details of any officials allegedly involved.
READ MORE: https:///2027-inec-probes-source-of-strange-names-in-ndc-list/
5. Court stops NMDPRA from shutting Dangote refinery
A Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim injunction restraining the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority from shutting down or interfering with Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s operations.
Justice Akintayo Aluko issued the order after the refinery challenged an NMDPRA directive concerning the suspension of loading and truck-out of petroleum products. The judge said the court had a duty to preserve the subject matter of the case pending its determination. “Every court has the inherent power and duty to preserve the res,” he ruled.
The court adjourned the case until September 9 for hearing of the motion on notice.
READ MORE: https:///court-stops-nmdpra-from-shutting-dangote-refinery/