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Court Renews Order of Arrest Against Mr. Bright Echefu for Allegedly Defrauding BCGNEEDS Company of $651,280.00 USD

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Court Renews Order of Arrest Against Mr. Bright Echefu for Allegedly Defrauding BCGNEEDS Company of $651,280.00 USD

A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory has renewed and extended its order of arrest against Mr. Bright Echefu, Owner of Briech Intelligence Fusion Limited to January 14, 2025.

On November 19, 2024, the court had ordered the arrest of Mr. Bright Echefu, following his failure to appear before the court on the allegation of defrauding BCGNEEDS Company of the sum of $651,280.00 USD.

In a prior appearance, Mr. Bright Echefu’s lawyer, had communicated that his client was not within jurisdiction. On December 9, 2024, Mr. Bright Echefu’s lawyer told the court again that Mr. Echefu had traveled out of jurisdiction and requested that the court allow him time to produce Mr. Echefu in court when he returns. BCGNEEDS’ lawyer argued that Mr. Echefu has no justifiable reason not to be in court but has only been evading arrest. He further requested the court to extend the order to enable the Police effect his arrest.

After hearing from the Police on the efforts they are making to arrest Mr. Echefu, the court patiently listened to the parties and renewed the order of arrest against Mr. Bright Echefu. The court adjourned the case to January 14, 2025.

Mr. Bright Echefu, who is also the Owner of Telecom Satellite Television, is said to have allegedly defrauded BCGNEEDS Company of the said amount under the pretence of supply of drones and accessories. BCGNEEDS told the court that Mr. Echefu, under false pretence used Briech Intelligence Fusion Limited, to request for supply of Drones and Accessories worth $651,280.00 USD from BCGNEEDS via a Local Purchase Order with Ref: BIFC/LPO/TS/ABJ/088106 dated the 21st day of October, 2022.

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BCGNEEDS also told the court that after the delivery of the drones and accessories, Mr. Echefu became incommunicado and refused to pay, since 21st of October 2022 till date. Despite several demands, Mr. Echefu criminally converted the drones, accessories, and the sum of $651,280.00 USD under false pretence of doing business with BCGNEEDS Company.

This is not the first time Mr. Echefu has been implicated on allegations of fraud. It will be recalled that Mr. Echefu had earlier been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on allegation of tax evasion, money laundering and advanced fee fraud.

In another charge before the Federal High Court marked FHC/ABJ/CR/254/2023, Mr. Echefu, Igboanuga, TSTV and another company, Briechberg Investment Limited, were listed as the first to fourth defendants, respectively. In the charge, Mr. Echefu and Igboanugo were said to have on May 18, 2020, committed money laundering bordering on tax evasion, unremitted VAT, company income tax and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deducted from the salaries of 165 workers punishable under Section 15 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 as amended in 2012.

Mr. Bright Echefu was also said to have defrauded Turaki Tanimu, a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, of N969m under false pretence. The money was said to have been paid into Briechberg Investment Limited with account number 1015561485 domiciled at Zenith Bank.

It would appear that the issue of evading arrest raised by the prosecution in the criminal charge by EFCC against Mr. Echefu at the Federal High Court is also playing out in this case where BCGNEEDS’ lawyer has also complained that Mr. Echefu has been evading arrest. Whether Mr. Echefu will turn himself in voluntarily or be brought to court on the next adjourned date by his lawyer; or whether he will be arrested by the Police in line with the order of bench warrant granted by the Court in this case remains to be determined.

 

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Court Restrains Anti-Corruption Commission, Others from interfering in MAAUN’s Affairs

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A Kano High Court has granted an interim injunction restraining the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) and four other parties from interfering in the internal and external affairs of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (AAUN), Kano.

Justice Sanusi Ado Ma’aji of the High court of Kano Judicial Division issued the order, while ruling on a motion of ex parte filed by the management of the university.

The respondents in the suit are the Kano State Government, PCACC, Kano State House of Assembly and the state’s Attorney-General and concerned parents of the institution.

Justice Ma’aji in the court order dated December 11, 2025, restrained the respondents or any other person acting on their behalf from inviting officials of the institution or interfering in the administrative and academic activities of the intuition, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

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The court also directed all the parties to maintain status quo in relation to the matter between the applicant and the first respondent, pending the determination of the originating summons.

Speaking after the ruling, MAAUN’s counsel Zahraddeen M. Bello, said that the court’s decision reaffirmed the rule of law and the need for due process, saying the university will continue to operate within the confines of law, while the case is pending.

However, the court granted leave to the applicant to serve court processes on the fifth respondent at its office located at No. 224 Sabo Bakin Zuwo, Kano.

The matter was adjourned to December 29, 2025 and the order was given under the hand and seal of the presiding judge and was duly endorsed by the Principal Registrar of the court.

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Jigawa Trains Local Government Chairmen on 2025 Tax Reform Act

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The Jigawa Joint Task Committee has commenced a two-day capacity-building training for local government chairmen and policymakers. The two-day capacity program focused on the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act (NTA) 2025, which is scheduled to take effect nationwide on January 1, 2026.

The training gathered a contingent of state and local revenue stakeholders, including all 27 local government chairmen of Jigawa State, led by the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), revenue officers, and key policy and tax experts.

The core objective of the session was multifaceted: to enhance understanding of the NTA 2025 and its specific implications for local government administration, strengthen collaboration between state and local tiers for revenue harmonization and joint administration, and improve the technical capacity of local government leaders in deploying modern revenue processes and digital systems.

During the event, the Executive Chairman of the Jigawa Internal Revenue Service (JIRS), Dr. Nasir Sabo Idris, commended the state government’s leadership for its commitment to fiscal autonomy.

“I wish to acknowledge the immense support of His Excellency, Governor Malam Umar Namadi, FCA,” Dr. Idris said.

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According to Dr. Idris, Jigawa Governor’s commitment to revenue generation has been unwavering, ensuring a consistent improvement in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Dr. Idris pointed out that the upcoming launch of JigiTax, a wholly digital platform designed to streamline and modernize revenue collection across Jigawa State, is underway.

He said the move is seen as a direct response to strengthening transparency and blocking revenue leakages.

On his part, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Local Government, Ibrahim Graba Hannun-Giwa, whose address was delivered by the Director of Research, Malam Samaila Yusuf, said:

“The Ministry of Local Government is doing all it takes to continue supporting the visionary policies of Governor Namadi and driving policies that will shore up the revenue base of our local governments,” Malam Yusuf stated, emphasizing a unified approach to fiscal strength.

The dividends of the collaborative efforts were highlighted by the ALGON Chairman, who also serves as the Chairman of Dutse Local Government.

Speaking to newsmen, he asserted that the state’s disciplined approach had fundamentally altered the financial landscape at the grassroots level.

“With the commitment shown by Governor Namadi and the diligent efforts of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee, no local government in Jigawa now seeks intervention,” the ALGON Chairman declared.

He said, “Revenue loopholes are being systematically blocked, and improved compliance by different stakeholders, including markets and motor parks remitting their taxes, has significantly boosted our revenue drive.”

He further confirmed that the local governments had already undertaken a series of awareness trainings for all relevant stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition to the NTA 2025.

Barrister Aliyu Abdullahi said the in a paper presentation titled “State and Local Government in the Law,” by a legal practitioner. The paper specifically called for the legislative institutionalization of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee by the State House of Assembly. This institutional backing, the practitioner argued, would solidify the collaborative framework for revenue harmonization and ensure its longevity beyond the current administration.

 

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Former President Obasanjo Endorses Turaki’s Faction of PDP

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted the national working committee (NWC) of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The PDP faction visited the former president on Saturday, and Kabiru Turaki led the delegation.

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Those among the delegation are: Muazu Aliyu, former Niger governor; Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau; Adolphus Wabara, former senate president, and many more.

Interacting with the delegation, Obasanjo commended the faction’s effort, adding that its members should “soldier on”.

The former president also urged the faction to remain steadfast in instilling discipline in the party, adding that:

“anybody who wants to belong to a political party must adhere strictly to its rules and regulations”.

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