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N3.5bn Fraud : Crisis Deepens As labour party National Treasurer goes to court, demands nullification of six months suspension and compel EFCC to probe Abure
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…my signature was forged to take Party funds- Ex-Ag. national chair
The last has not been heard about the crisis of confidence which has engulfed the leadership of the Labour Party over the administration of party funds.
National Treasurer of the party, Ms. Oluchi Oparah, who was suspended by the Comrade Julious Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), for six months, has instituted a court action seeking to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to probe Abure and look at the party’s financial records.
It was gathered in Abuja, on Sunday, that she instituted the legal action on February 15,2024.
In the suit, filed on her behalf by her lawyer, Emeka Etiaba, SAN, Okpara is also asking the court to nullify her six months suspension on the grounds that she wasn’t given a fair hearing before the action was taken.
Her prayers are contained in an Originating summons with file number: FHC /ABj/CS/202/2024 dated February 15 2024.
In it, her legal counsel, Emeka Etiaba, SAN, filed the action pursuant to order 3 rule 7 of the federal high court ( civil procedure) rules, 2019 and under the inherent jurisdiction of “this honourable court,” his client is asking the court whether it is not under the EFCC rules to investigate forgery.
In an accompanying affidavit deposed by Oluchi Oparah, she said, “I wrote a letter to the first Defendant (EFCC,) bringing a formal Petition dated the 14” of February, 2024 against the National Chairman of the Labour party Comrade Julius Abure, the 2nd Defendant ni this Suit for several grievous offences bordering on forgery, embezzlement of the 3rd Defendant’s funds, and abuse of office and failure to account for 3rd Defendant’s funds at his disposal. The letter is annexed as Exhibit A.
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“The 2nd Defendant assumed the position of Acting National Chairman ni January, 2021 following the demise of his predecessor, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, on the 29th of December, 2020. He subsequently began a pattern of financial recklessness and lack of accountability that has characterised his tenure to date.
“The most grievous act of impropriety by 2” Defendant pertains to his forgery of the signature of the late Alhaji Abdulsalam, 61 (Sixty-One) days after Abdulsalam’s death with which he withdrew monies from the account of the Defendant’s account.
“The 2nd Defendant proceeded to unilaterally sign several bank cheques and depleted the balances in the 3rDefendant’s Zenith Bank account (Account No.1010984346) without recourse to any other member of the National Working Committee.
“The sum of N14,000,000.00 (Fourteen Million Naira only) had been lodged into the aforementioned account on 18 of February 2022, 51 days after the death of the erstwhile National Chairman.
“Between the 28of February and 7th of March, 2022, the 2 Defendant prepared and presented several cheques supposedly counter-signed by the late Alhaji Abdulkadir for payment at the Ceddi Plaza branch of Zenith Bank Plc in Abuja.
‘The monies paid earlier into the referenced account were completely depleted by: the 2 Defendant. The 2nd Defendant unilaterally signed the withdrawal instruments as acting National Secretary and forged the signature of his predecessor, the late Abdulsalam ni order ot deplete the 3rdDefendant’s funds, without the knowledge of or recourse to the NWC.
“These criminal actions represent the beginning of the high level of corruption that has now come to define the 2nd Defendant’s tenure as National Chairman of the 3rd Defendant.” , she stated in the petition to the EFCC and federal high court
She explained that within the period under review, “large sums of money were raised from the sale of nomination forms for the several elections held in 2023.
“Apart from proceeds from Edo State (in 2024) which the 2nd Defendant actually diverted to his personal accounts, the 2nd Defendant declared only N55 million out of about N3 billion raised, failing to account for the balance. This undeclared balance from sale of nomination forms as well as all donations received from followers and sympathizers of H.E. Peter Obi, remains unaccounted till date and al requests for accountability have been rebuffed by the 2nd Defendant.”
She further deposed that, “During off-cycle elections in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi, Plateau, Ebonyi, and Lagos States ni 2023, the 3rd Defendant raised about N958 million from sale of nomination forms and donations paid into the 3rd Defendant’s official Bank accounts. However the 2nd Defendant embezzled some of the said funds without due process, paper trail or documentation, making serial unauthorised transfers to persons and family members.
“Specifically, N248 million, N210 million, N190 million, N180 million, N120 million, and N10 million were realised from nomination forms sales anf donations for the Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi gubernatorial elections as wel as the Plateau, Ebonyi and Lagos bye-elections respectively but, there are no records of how these funds were expended.”
She claimed that as the national treasurer of the party that she was completely sidelined from its affairs.
The treasurer also claimed that whilst on a fundraising tour in the United States of America (USA) in August 2023, the 2n Defendant raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Nigerians diaspora sympathetic for Peter Obi and the 3rd Defendant. Till date, the 2nd Defendant has refused to hand over or account a single dollar to her as National Treasurer or broader National Working Committee (NWC) essentially
She further claimed that Abure unilaterally prepared a hoax Audit Report for the period June 2022 to May 2023, and that he tried to get her and the NWC to endorse it but she rejected the Report, being fully aware of its falsehood.
According to Oluchi Oparah, “When I challenged the figures, the 2nd Defendant tried to induce me with various bribes ranging from cash to automobiles and even real estate, which I outrightly rejected.”
‘There is now incontrovertible evidence that the 2nd Defendant has sunk the proceeds of his loot from the 3rd Defendant into properties worth billions of Naira: These include choice properties ni Abuja, Benin City, a home ni Uromi, and higli- end apartments in Italy. Purchase documents show many of these were bought between February 2022 and December 2023, subsequent ot the peak of fundraising for the 2023 elections.
“This is in stark contrast to the 2nd Defendant’s financial status before assuming office in 2021 when he did not own a single property. Party elders can testify thất as of December 2020, the 2 Defendant had no significant assets to his name. His abrupt wealth is clearly the result of corruption and abuse of office as 3n
” The 2nd Defendant has deliberately and repeatedly undermined my authority as National Treasurer by denying me access ot the 3dr Defendant’s Bank accounts and transaction records, in violation of the 3 Defendant’s Constitution. My duties include: custody of the 3rd Defendant’s funds and oversight of the 3rd Defendant’s budgets, accounts and finances but the 2nd Defendant has rendered my role redundant. Annexed as Exhibit C is the 3* Defendant’s Constitution. 23.Specifically, the 2nd Defendant has refused ot mandate the opening of a proper Treasury Office for me to function effectively. Al financial documents artd records are kept with the 2nd Defendant and inner caucus alone.
In view of these allegations, she said, “In the light of the foregoing actions bordering on financial crimes, forgery, bribery, money laundering, contravention of electoral laws and attempts to obstruct justice, 1respectfully requested the defendant to comprehensively investigate the activities of the 2nd Defendant from January 2021 till date.
‘The actions of the 2nd Defendant has have brought immense disrepute ot our great Party and betrayed the trust of millions of Nigerians, who believe in the ideologies and principles of the 3″ Defendant.”
She also asked the court to quash her suspension because it did not follow the due process of law as she was not given fair hearing before her purported suspension.
A new twist has also been added to the saga with a fresh allegation by a former Acting National Chairman of the party, Mrs. Maria Labara, who acted in that capacity shortly after the sudden death of Abdulladir Abdulsalam in December, 2020.
She also denied signing any cheque between February 7, 2022 and March 18, 2022, the period when the said Ñ14 million and two instances of N7 million were withdrawn from the account of the party by Abure
Mrs Labaka, made these claims during an interview she grated Arise Television, on Saturday, Labaka, said, “The cheques between February 7 and March 18, I did not sign them. I only signed the cheques for March 29 meeting in Benin for the National Working Committee members and states chairmen of the party.
“I also Abure forged my signature for the change signatures as national chairman.”
….Gov throws jibe, describes impeachment notice as ‘love letter’
Vows to avoid actions capable of breaching peace
The office of the Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, has received the letter from the State House of Assembly requesting him to constitute a seven-man committee to probe the allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
The House of Assembly Committee Chairman on Petitions, Information and Complaints, Dr Enemi George, confirmed that the Chief Judge had acknowledged receipt of all the documents.
Also received by the CJ’s office were other documents detailing the allegations of gross misconduct against the governor and the deputy governor, copies of the Rivers State Impeachment Panel (Conduct of Investigations) Procedure 2025 and photocopies of The Nation, The Guardian and The Sun, among others.
George said: “It is important to inform the good people of Rivers State that Mr. Speaker has already complied with the Constitution and letters sent by him to the Chief Judge have been received and acknowledged.
“All relevant documents including the Notices of Allegations of Gross Misconduct were attached”.
He added: “Every step going forward, what can happen or what cannot happen is clearly stated in Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The good people of Rivers State should remain calm and should not listen to those who want to truncate our democracy.”
He commended and thanked the good people of Rivers State for their support and prayers for the 10th Assembly in particular and Rivers people at large.
The Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area has however issued an interim injunction restraining the CJ from receiving, forwarding, considering or acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment or any form of communication from Speaker Martin Amaewhule and other members of the State House of Assembly for the purpose of constituting a panel to investigate the alleged misconduct against the governor and his deputy.
They just landed me a ‘love letter’, says Fubara
Governor Fubara, in a veiled reference to the impeachment notice, called it a love letter.
“This 2026 that I thought would have been the finest, they just landed me a love letter,” he said while speaking as special guest during the finals of the 2026 Port Harcourt Polo Tournament in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
He added:”That notwithstanding, we must move on and carry on the responsibilities as a government. We will continue to support everyone who means well for Rivers State.”
He vowed that he would not support, directly or indirectly, any action capable of undermining peace and safety in the state.
He insisted that the protection of lives and property remained the primary responsibility of his administration.
He emphasised that he remained the governor of the state and would continue to deliver on the promises made to the people.
Fubara expressed satisfaction that the 2026 Port Harcourt Polo Tournament was held for one week without any incident.
He described the peaceful conduct of the event as a clear indication that Rivers is safe for residents, visitors and investors.
A supporter of the governor, Amb.Chijioke Ihunwo, asked the assembly members to perform their functions independently.
He pleaded with President Tinubu to intervene on the matter, insisting that the governor had done nothing to warrant his removal.
He said: “This assembly must remain independent to allow peace to prevail in the state.
“Governor Fubara has done nothing to warrant his removal. President Tinubu should intervene in this matter as the leader of the party.”
The high powered committee set up by the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to reconcile the feuding sides in the Rivers imbroglio is said to be working round the clock to stop the planned impeachment.
The committee members have already met with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike in Abuja and separately with Fubara and some other stakeholders.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman Ola Olukoyede has faulted the persecution claim by the immediate-past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN).
He described it as unfortunate that some Nigerians were buying into the narrative when Malami’s probe started before his appointment.
Malami is standing trial alongside some family members on 16 counts of money laundering involving about N8.7 billion.
Speaking on a national television yesterday, Olukoyede dismissed Malami’s claim of vendetta against him, saying the commission has not wavered in investigating and prosecuting those suspected to have been involved in corruption cases.
“There’s nothing like that. The particular case predated my appointment. And, I didn’t give a nod to initiate proceedings until I found that we have a water-tight investigation,” he said.
The EFCC boss denied being indicted by Justice Ayo Salami’s panel.
Olukoyede said: “I challenge those making such claims of indictment against me by Justice Ayo Salami Panel to publish the report.
“Let me tell Nigerians that the commission’s investigation panel cleared me of any wrongdoing. The presidency at the time also cleared me. Also, the law enforcement agencies handed me a clean bill.
“I can say clearly that there’s no report anywhere that I’ve been involved in any fraudulent dealings, whether as the commission’s chief of staff, secretary, and now, the chairman of the commission.”
Noting that the commission, under his watch, made notable achievements last year, he said: “Our big win in 2025 was our ability to review and revive old cases that Nigerians thought were dead.
“Some of the cases affect past governors and ministers, and many such cases are in courts.
“We were able to recover assets. Nigerians are aware of the Lokogoma assets. One major recovery was a university.”
The EFCC recovered Nok University in Kachia, Kaduna, after a court ordered its final forfeiture because it was built with stolen public funds by a former civil servant.
It was converted to the Federal University of Applied Sciences,
Immediate-Past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), is facing a fresh investigation over the arms and ammunition found in his house.
Newsthumb learnt that the arms were uncovered at his Kebbi country home by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during a search.
The anti-graft agency, it was further learnt, handed them over to the Department of State Service (DSS) for a comprehensive probe because it is not within its remit to do so.
The number of arms and ammunition could not be immediately ascertained, but it was gathered that they are high in number to attract a full DSS investigation.
Malami, who was granted bail last week along with his sons – Abdulaziz, Abiru-Rahman, and others – is still in the Kuje correctional centre, having been unable to perfect his bail conditions.
But, sources said he might be taking things slowly to stall the DSS investigation into the weapons found in his house.
“The former minister is being separately investigated for allegedly having arms in his house in Birnin Kebbi. The inventory of the shock find has been handed over to the DSS.
“It is now left to Malami to explain to the DSS how he came about the arms. That’s why he is yet to perfect his bail conditions. He is holed up in prison to avoid arrest by the DSS.
“DSS operatives are within the precincts of Kuje Correctional Service to invite Malami. He got wind of their presence and raised the alarm. But the law must take its course.”
Another source within the EFCC said Malami had yet to meet his bail conditions.
“By our records, the ex-AGF is still in custody. We saw all manners of fake clips on social media on his purported arrival and rousing reception in Kebbi State,” the source said.
The source added: “The investigation into Malami’s activities during his tenure began when former EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu was in office.
“Investigation continued through the administration of another Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Chukkol, to the present Executive Chairman. Chukkol, who works in the agency, was in charge briefly before Olukoyede’s appointment.
“There is nothing vindictive about his investigation since 2019. It is an inherited case, and the ex-AGF knows this.”
Olukoyede confirmed that he inherited the Malami case during an interview last night on a national television.
A Federal High Court in Abuja last week ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 assets linked to Malami and his two sons.
The assets have been valued at N213, 234,120,000.
The court has, however, given Malami and the sons or any other claimant a 14-day leave to show proof that the assets were legally acquired.
Failure to present legitimate claims within 14 days may lead to the permanent loss of the assets to the Federal Government.
The court’s order was based on the invocation of the Non-Conviction Asset Forfeiture Clause in the EFCC Establishment Act.
The EFCC had applied to the Federal High Court to seize the suspicious properties in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Birnin-Kebbi.
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₦213 Billion Worth of Properties Seized from Malami in Money Laundering Probe: Full List of 57 Luxury Homes and Hotels
Presiding Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, granted the order on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, following an ex-parte motion filed by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and two of his sons, Abdulaziz and Abiru-Rahman Malami.
Presiding Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, granted the order on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, following an ex-parte motion filed by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).
The assets, valued at ₦213.2 billion, include multi-billion naira landed properties spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna States. The court ruled that the assets are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.
The 57 properties are as follows:
1. Luxury Duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011 Within Cadastral Zone, A06 Maitama; File No: AN enhancement 11352, which was purchased in December 2022 at N500, 000, 000.00 (value after enhancement at N5,950,000,000).
2. Two Winged Large Storey Building Situate at No. 3, Onitsha Crescent, Area 11,Garki, Cadastral Zone, A03, Abuja (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited), FCT, which was purchased Dec. 2018 at N7,000,000,000.
3. Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04, Comprising of a five storey Building (Now Luxurious Meethaq Hotels Ltd, Jabi with 53 rooms/suites), which was purchased in Sept. 2020 at carcass level at N850,000,000 with additional N300,000,000 to take possession (value after completion N8,400,000,000).
4. Property No. 3130 within Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, FCT, Abuja, Comprising Terraces, purchased in January 2021 at N360,000,000.
5. Property No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Limited, Maitama With 15 ROOMS), which was purchased in February 2018 at N430,000,000 (current value after rehabilitation is N12,950,000,000).
6. Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District Zone (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent) AsokoroDistrict, which was purchased in July 2021 at N325,000,000.
7. Shop No. C82 Citiscape — Shariff Plaza, Plot 739 Cadastral Zone A07, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse Il, FCT, Abuja, which was purchased in March 2024 at N120,000,000.
8. No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano, which was purchased in December 2022 at N300,000,000.
9. Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa, GRA, Kano, purchased in July 2019 with no specific amount stated.
10. A Plaza, Commercial Toilets, Laundering, Warehouse Tanks Adjacent to Birnin Kebbi Market at N100 million.
11. 100 Hectares of l;and Along Birnin Kebbi, Jega Road, which was purchased in 2020 at N100,000,000.
12. Four Bedroom Bungalow Gesse Phase, Birnin Kebbi, which was purchased in 2023 at N101,000, 000.
13. Shops Nos. A36, B3 Vegas Mall, Wuse 2, Abuja, which was purchased in July 2023 at N158,000,000.
14. No. 26, Babbi Drive, Bua Estate, Abuja, purchased in 2022 at N136,000,000.
15. No. 27, Efab Estates Avenue, 5th Avenue, 59th Crescent, Gwarimpa, Abuja, purchased in January 2016 at N120,000,000.
16. Four Bedroom/ 2 Rooms Boys Quarters at No. 10B, Doka Crescent Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, purchased in January 2018 at N40, 000, 000.00.
17. Plot No. 13, Ipent 7 Estate, Karsana District, Abuja, purchased in June 2018 at N85,000,000.
18. A Bedroom Duplex & Boys Quarters at No. 12 Yalinga Street, Off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse Il, Abuja, purchased in Oct. 2018 at N150,000,000.
19. Two Warehouse Shops B40 And B46, Wuse Market, Abuja, purchased in July 2020 at N50,000,000.
20. Twin Houses at Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Cadastral Zone B01, Plot 14014, Gudu District, Abuja, was purchased between February and May 2017 at N250,000,000.
Properties acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at the Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, sold by the Federal Housing Authority Mortgage namely.
21, 22, and 23. Nine units of three bedroom, bungalow, three units of two bedroom bungalow, and 5.4 hectares of land, which were purchased between February 2023 and September 2023 at N187,000,000, among other assets listed in the schedule.
RAYHAAN UNIVERSITY, KEBBI STATE
24. Rayhaan University Permanent Site -N56,000,000,000.00
25. Rayhaan University Temporary Site -N37,800,000,000.00
26. Rayhaan University Third Site – N2,450,000,000.00
27. Rayhaan University Vice Chancellor – N490,000,000.0
RAYHAAN AGRO ALLIED FACTORY IN KEBBI STATE
28. Factory Buildings -N4,200,000,000.00
29. Factory Machines and Plants Units -N10,500,000,000.00
30. Factory Mosque – N2,450,000,000.00
31. Rayhaan Mill Staff Quarters –
N1,487,500,000.00
32. Rayhaan Bustan Building –
N3,150,000,000.00
AZBIR ARENA KEBBI STATE
33. Azbir Hotel – N10,325,000,000.00
34. Printing Press – N1,050,000,000.00
35. Gallery –
N581,000,000.00
36. Gardens –
N392,000,000.00
37. Mosque -N252,000,000.00
38. Azbir Clothing –
N350,000,000.00
39. Azbir Pharmacy and Supermarket – N175,000,000.00
OTHER PROPERTIES HELD IN KEBBI STAT
40. Al-Afiya Energy Tanker Garage opposite Rayhaan University Health Centre, along Sani Abacha Bypass Road, Birnin-Kebbi – N2,450,000,000.00
41. Rayhaan Model Academy -N11,200,000,000.0
42. Rayhaan Primary and Secondary School –
N8,750,000,000.00
43. Rayhaan Security House, off Sani Abacha Bypass, Birnin Kebbi –
N245,700,000.00
44. Rayhaan Radio along Sani Abacha, Bypass Road, Birnin, Kebbi – N245,700,000.00
45. Uncompleted 2 Storey Complex Plaza located opposite Central Motor Park, (Eastern Park) Birnin Kebbi – N78,750,000.00
46. Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd filling station Structure along Sani Abacha Bypass, Road, Birnin Kebbi near Jambali Automobile Workshop, Birnin Kebbi – N665,000,000.00
47. Malami Support Organization Building –
N210,000,000.00
48. ADC Kadi Malami Foundation Building – N56,000,000.00
49. Abubakar Malami SAN’s House GRA – N350,000,000.00
50. Abubakar Malami SAN’s House Behind Mobil – N490,000,000.00
51. Abdulaziz Malami (First Son’s House) at Gesse Phase II in Birnin Kebbi – N1,659,000,000.00
52. Abiru-Rahman Abubakar Malami (Second Son’s House) at Gesse Phase II in Birnin-Kebbi – N2,989,000,000.00
PROPERTIES IN KANO
53. Assets of Zeennoor Hotel at Kabuga Satellite Town, off Gwarzo Road, Kano with 131 rooms –
N11,200,000,000.00
54. Zeennoor Mosque at Kabuga, Satellite Town, off Gwarzo Road, Kano – N84,000,000.00
55. Zeennor Old Hotel Building -N280,000,000.00
56. Rayhaan Hotel, Kano Located at Plot 27/28 Opp-Aminu kano Teaching Hospital, Southern Kano (Land And Luxurious Building of more than 50 rooms, with appurtenances- N2,240,000,000.00
57. Rayhaan Gym, Kano House Comprising of a Storey Building Opposite Rayhaan Hotel – N1,225,000,000.00
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