By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned a former Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd (PHRC), Ahmed Dikko, over alleged money laundering.

Mr Dikko, who was arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on a 12-count charge, pleaded not guilty.

Recall that the EFCC, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/360/2026, named Mr Dikko and Masterpiece Projects & Investment Ltd as first and second defendants.

In the charge dated and filed on June 22 by the commission’s counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, the anti-graft agency accused Mr Dikko of using N218 million to buy property in Abuja.

When the case was called, Mr Iheanacho informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the defendants to take their plea and that they were ready to proceed.

Ikechukwu Ajunwa, SAN, did not oppose the application but urged the court to enter a not guilty plea for the second defendant (the company).

In view of the not guilty plea, the prosecution applied for a trial date.

Mr Ajunwa did not oppose the application but informed the court that a bail application had been filed on behalf of Mr Dikko.

He said a copy of the bail application had also been served on the EFCC.

Mr Iheanacho acknowledged receiving the process and told the court that a counter affidavit had equally been filed in opposition to the bail request.

Moving the motion, MrAjunwa said it was dated and filed on July 3 in line with Sections 34(4) and 36 of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 158 and 156 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

According to him, the application is seeking for a leave for the defendant to be granted bail.

“The grounds for the application are there my lord,” he said.

The lawyer, who said Mr Dikko would not jump bail or interfere with the trial, said the 1st defendant had been reporting to the EFCC’s office as part of administrative bail terms.

Responding, Mr Iheanacho said the commission, on July 7, filed a counter affidavit opposing Mr Dikko’s request.

“We rely on all the paragraphs in our counter affidavit in urging the court to deny bail to the defendant. We also filed a written submission and adopted same in urging the honourable court to reject the bail application,” he said.

In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that the court had the discretionary power to either grant or not to grant a bail.

He said since bail is a constitutional rights of the defendant, substantial evidence must be placed before the court why the defendant ought to be denied the request.

The judge consequently admitted Mr Dikko to a N150 million bail with one surety in the like sum who must possess a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

He ordered that the surety must be a responsible citizen and must submit the documents of the landed property which should be verified by the court registrar.

Justice Ekwo, who ordered Mr Dikko to submit his passport with the court, directed that the defendant must not travel without the permission of court.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until Oct. 12, October13 and 14 for commencement of trial.

The EFCC said the offence is contrary to Sections 2 (1) (a), 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19 (2) (b) of the same Act.

The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board says it will soon announce the official deposit amount for the 2027 Hajj, assuring intending pilgrims that preparations for next year’s pilgrimage are already underway despite the absence of an official fare announcement.

The Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Board’s headquarters in Kano while presenting the major achievements recorded during the 2026 Hajj operations.

Matawalle explained that although some states have already announced their Hajj fares and deposits for 2027, Kano State would not be in a hurry to make such an announcement until the necessary consultations and planning were completed. According to him, the Board is working diligently to ensure that intending pilgrims receive accurate information at the appropriate time.

The Director General described the 2026 Hajj exercise as one of the most successful in the history of the Board, attributing the achievement to careful planning, effective coordination and the commitment of all stakeholders involved in the pilgrimage operations.

He expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the successful completion of the pilgrimage and commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his unwavering support, guidance and commitment to the welfare of Kano State pilgrims. Matawalle also acknowledged the contributions of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Saudi authorities, airlines and other partners for ensuring a smooth operation.

Highlighting the Board’s achievements, Matawalle said every intending pilgrim from Kano State received official uniforms and hand luggage to promote uniformity, convenience and easy identification throughout the pilgrimage.

He further revealed that the Board renovated the mosque at the Hajj Terminal of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport to provide a more conducive environment for worshippers and pilgrims. According to him, chairs and electric fans were also donated to improve the comfort of pilgrims awaiting their departure flights.

Matawalle stated that each of the 3,611 Kano State pilgrims received financial support of 200 Saudi Riyals upon arrival in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to assist with their immediate expenses.

The Director General added that the Hajj demonstration field and toilet facilities at the Hajj camp were renovated to improve the quality of pre-departure orientation programmes, while the Board also donated four Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units to the Nigerian Immigration Service at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Command to facilitate efficient immigration services during the Hajj operations.

According to Matawalle, the Board, with support from ASIA Group of Companies, distributed free detergent and toothpaste to all Kano pilgrims as part of efforts to improve their welfare throughout the pilgrimage.

He also disclosed that shuttle buses were provided to transport pilgrims between their accommodation and the Holy Mosque (Al-Haram) in Makkah for the five daily prayers, significantly improving their comfort and ease of movement.

Matawalle said the Board successfully airlifted all 3,611 registered pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and safely returned every one of them to Nigeria, achieving what he described as a 100 percent completion rate without leaving any Kano pilgrim stranded in the Kingdom.

He noted that close collaboration with NAHCON, airlines, Saudi authorities and service providers ensured the smooth execution of all stages of the Hajj exercise, while continuous medical services were provided in collaboration with relevant health authorities to address pilgrims’ healthcare needs.

The Director General explained that intensified enlightenment and orientation programmes before departure resulted in better compliance with Hajj regulations and exemplary conduct by Kano pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage.

Matawalle further disclosed that proper identification and documentation of pilgrims significantly reduced cases of missing pilgrims during movements between the holy sites despite operational challenges experienced at some Saudi airports.

He revealed that the Board successfully recovered about 30 pieces of luggage left behind in various pilgrims’ accommodations, in addition to more than 100 pieces of abandoned main and hand luggage at Saudi airports.

According to Matawalle, an international cargo operator was engaged to transport all recovered luggage back to Kano, where they would be distributed to their rightful owners.

He said the Board’s performance during the 2026 Hajj has once again strengthened Kano State’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading pilgrims’ welfare agencies, noting that the achievements were made possible through teamwork, transparency, dedication and the unwavering support of the Kano State Government and other stakeholders.

Matawalle expressed appreciation to all Kano pilgrims for their discipline, patience and cooperation throughout the exercise, saying their conduct reflected the values and dignity of the state and contributed significantly to the overall success of the pilgrimage.

The Director General assured residents that the Board would continue improving its services by applying lessons learned from the 2026 Hajj exercise in preparations for future pilgrimages. He reiterated that the official deposit for the 2027 Hajj would be announced soon after the necessary arrangements are concluded.

The Kano State Task Force Committee on Voter Registration Mobilisation has intensified its campaign to encourage eligible residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) with an advocacy visit to Yan Lemo Market in Na’ibawa, the largest fruit market in Kano State. The outreach was carried out by the Sub-Committee on Engagement with the Business Community as part of efforts to ensure that no eligible voter is left out of the ongoing voter registration exercise.

Speaking during the visit, Chairman of Yan Lemo Market, Alhaji Muhammadu, welcomed the delegation and commended the committee for identifying the market as a strategic partner in the voter registration campaign. He expressed appreciation for the initiative and appealed to the Kano State Government to make voter registration more accessible to traders and business owners, noting that the nature of their commercial activities often makes it difficult for them to leave their businesses to register.

Addressing the traders, the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Engagement with the Business Community, Alhaji Tijjani Abdullahi Sarki, described the possession of a Permanent Voter Card as both a constitutional right and a civic responsibility. He urged eligible residents to take advantage of the ongoing registration exercise to secure their PVCs and participate in future elections.

According to Alhaji Sarki, the registration exercise is open to first-time registrants, Nigerians who have attained the age of 18 since the last voter registration exercise, individuals seeking to transfer their voting location following a change of residence, those requesting corrections to their personal information, as well as citizens whose voter cards have been lost or damaged.

He further assured the traders of the Kano State Government’s commitment to promoting wider voter participation across the state. He said the concerns and requests presented by the market leadership, particularly the need for easier access to registration centres for traders, would be forwarded to the main Task Force Committee for appropriate consideration and necessary action.

Also speaking during the engagement, the Secretary of the Sub-Committee, Alhaji Hassan Kofar Mata, thanked the market executives and traders for their warm reception and active participation throughout the sensitisation programme. He commended their interest in the exercise and encouraged them to mobilise other eligible members of the business community to register.

Responding to questions from traders, Alhaji Hassan explained the procedures for transferring voter registration from one Local Government Area to another, correcting personal records, replacing lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards, and other voter registration-related processes. He urged residents to take advantage of the ongoing exercise to regularise their voter information and ensure they are eligible to participate in future elections.

The advocacy visit forms part of the Kano State Task Force Committee’s broader campaign to increase voter registration and strengthen citizens’ participation in the democratic process through sustained engagement with critical stakeholders, including business communities across the state.