The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of N17,100,595.40 to the Federal Government after the money was linked to an alleged romance fraud scheme currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi gave the order on Monday, June 1, 2026, following an application filed by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 through its counsel, C.C. Okezie.

A statement by the EFCC said the funds, domiciled in an Access Bank account, are linked to Ifeanyi Alele David, who is being investigated by the anti-graft agency over alleged romance scam activities and related offences.

The court had earlier, on February 26, 2026, granted an interim forfeiture of the money and directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper to allow any interested party to show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

During proceedings for the final forfeiture, Okezie told the court that the Commission complied with the directive by publishing the interim forfeiture notice in The Punch newspaper on April 10, 2026.

She further informed the court that no individual or organisation came forward within the stipulated period to challenge the forfeiture.

The EFCC’s application was supported by an affidavit deposed to by one of its operatives, Samson Aguma, who outlined the outcome of investigations conducted by the Commission.

According to the affidavit, the EFCC received a petition from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), alleging that David was involved in a romance scam linked to the death of a United States citizen.

Aguma said a victim of the alleged romance scam died by suicide in a hotel room in Denver, Colorado, United States, on September 15, 2021.

According to him, investigators who recovered the victim’s mobile phone after the incident discovered multiple messages exchanged with an individual identified as “Garry Micheal” on the Google Hangouts platform.

Investigators said the suspect allegedly continued to solicit money from the victim using different fabricated stories. He also requested funds to secure his release from prison and enable him to travel back to the United States.

“The suspect repeatedly solicited funds from the victim under various false pretences, including requests for money to secure his release from prison and facilitate his return to the United States,” the statement said.

According to the affidavit, the suspect allegedly asked the victim for an additional $60,000 on the day she died, even after she had reportedly informed him of her severe financial difficulties and lack of funds.

The FBI’s investigation further revealed that the victim sent approximately $154,500 between August 30 and September 13, 2021, through various channels connected to the alleged romance scam.

Aguma told the court that forensic investigations traced email accounts, internet protocol (IP) addresses, telephone records and an Apple iCloud account linked to the alleged romance fraud activities to David in Nigeria.

He added that the N17,100,595.40 found in David’s Access Bank account was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and part of the funds generated from the alleged scam.

After reviewing the evidence and submissions presented by the EFCC, Justice Owoeye held that the application had merit and subsequently ordered the final forfeiture of the N17.1 million to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The Edo State Police Command said it has arrested an officer for reportedly tear-gassing an unknown person to death in Benin City.

ASP Eno Ikoedem, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, disclosed this on Monday, June 1, 2026, in a statement made available to the media in Benin City.

Ikoedem recalled that on 25th May, 2026, a Police Officer attached to the Command unlawfully discharged tear-gas at Ogida, Benin City. The action, unfortunately, led to the loss of a life.

She said the officer involved was immediately arrested and subjected to disciplinary and criminal procedures in line with extant laws.

The Command also disclosed that three bouncers and a supplier of pepper spray have been arrested in connection with the May 27, 2026 stampede incident that happened at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium during the Children’s Day celebration.

She listed the arrested persons to include Ifeanyi John Paul,  36, Ola Ibikunle, 46, Onoha Chukwuoji, 33 and Mrs Rebecca Hassan.

She said further investigation led to the arrest of Mrs Rebecca Hassan, alleged to be the supplier/seller of the pepper spray used during the incident.

“Similarly, on 27th May, 2026, during the Children’s Day Celebration held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, pepper spray was unlawfully discharged within the stadium premises by private bouncers, causing panic and affecting several children and other attendees at the event.

“The Edo State Police Command has expressed grave concern over the increasing proliferation, unauthorised possession, and unlawful use of restricted security accoutrements such as pepper spray, tear-gas canisters, and other force-related equipment by private individuals, bouncers, vigilantes, and unauthorised security outfits within the State. 

“It frowns on the use of such items without proper training, or regard for public safety, thereby endangering innocent lives and creating avoidable public disorder”, she said.

Ikoedem posited that the Command views the unauthorised use of such devices as assault, or acts capable of causing grievous harm, and in certain circumstances, death. 

She explained that the unlawful possession of these items with the intent to commit felony and other related offences is viewed as criminal under the law, noting that the command has issued a stern warning to all individuals, private security personnel, bouncers, vigilante groups, and unauthorised organisations in possession of pepper spray, tear-gas, or related restricted security equipment to immediately desist from such unlawful possession and usage.

The Command’s spokesperson threatened that any person found in possession of such prohibited or unauthorised police/security accoutrements, including sellers, distributors, and suppliers, will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have intercepted a suspected member of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group who allegedly fled a terrorist enclave following recent military airstrikes in Borno State.

The development was disclosed by a security analyst and counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, in a post shared via his X handle.

According to military sources cited in the report, the suspect, identified as Ahmad Sheriff, 27, was intercepted at about 10:12 a.m. on May 31 during a patrol along the Kukawa–Cross Kauwa axis in Kukawa Local Government Area of the state.

The sources said the suspect was travelling with two children when he was apprehended by troops conducting routine security operations in the area.

Preliminary interrogation reportedly revealed that the suspect fled from Kangarawa, a known terrorist enclave, following sustained military airstrikes targeting the area.

The suspect allegedly told investigators that he escaped alongside 17 other individuals but became separated from the group after they encountered armed terrorists while moving through the bush.

Military authorities said items recovered from the suspect included a smartphone, 43 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a solar panel, a power bank, a pair of sunglasses, a mosquito net, clothing materials and N48,000 in cash.

Further investigations indicated that the suspect had spent about seven years with the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.

The sources added that the suspect, a native of Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area, is currently in military custody for further profiling and investigation.

The interception comes amid intensified military offensives across the Lake Chad region, where troops have sustained coordinated ground and air operations aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves and degrading the operational capabilities of insurgent groups.

Military authorities said troops remain vigilant and committed to ongoing counterterrorism operations across the North-East theatre.