The Lagos State Government has arrested 27 suspected hoodlums for allegedly vandalising the newly constructed bridge connecting Festac Town to Alakija during a late-night enforcement operation.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the development in a statement on Friday, describing the incident as a serious act of sabotage against public infrastructure.

According to Wahab, preliminary investigations showed that the suspects allegedly stripped the bridge of vital structural materials, including iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables and other components essential to its stability and safety.

“Investigations revealed that suspected hoodlums had deliberately vandalised critical structural components of the bridge by removing iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables and other supporting materials essential to the integrity of the infrastructure,” he said.

The commissioner warned that the alleged destruction of the bridge’s structural elements poses a significant danger to public safety and compromises the government’s investment in critical infrastructure.

“This criminal act poses a serious threat to public safety and undermines the government’s investment in critical infrastructure,” Wahab added.

He explained that the suspects were apprehended during a coordinated midnight operation carried out by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, in collaboration with the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI,p task force.

“The operation led to the arrest of 27 suspected hoodlums, who will be prosecuted in accordance with the extant laws of Lagos State,” the commissioner stated.

Wahab reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to safeguarding public infrastructure, stressing that enforcement operations against vandals and other offenders would be sustained.

“The Lagos State Government remains committed to protecting public infrastructure and will continue to take decisive action against individuals or groups engaged in acts of vandalism, environmental infractions and other criminal activities that threaten the safety and wellbeing of residents,” he said.

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced four individuals for their roles in a money laundering scheme involving $5,296,691.

The convicts; Bamidele Ayodele Emmanuel, Abdullah Oriyomi Yusuf, Garuba Fathiat Funmilayo, and Gbenro Victor Ademola, were separately arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on two-count charges bordering on money laundering, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, disclosed in a statement on Friday that Justice F.N. Ogazi delivered the judgment on Wednesday, August 5.

One of the charges against Bamidele Ayodele Emmanuel stated that he retained $826,691 in his Wema Bank account between January 1 and January 31, 2025, despite having reasonable grounds to know that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities, an offence punishable under Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

All four defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read before the court.

Following their guilty pleas, the prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, reviewed the facts of the case and informed the court that investigations revealed the defendants sold their personal information to one Afeez Animashaun, who allegedly approached them at Mushin Market in Lagos, where they operated their businesses.

According to the prosecution, the suspects’ identities were subsequently used to register College Compass Eduguide Nigeria Limited, Hortifresh Solutions Nigeria Limited, Eduboost Innovation Nigeria Limited, and Fixit Hardware and Tools Nigeria Limited.

Buhari further stated that corporate bank accounts opened in the names of the companies received millions of dollars in January 2025 as part of the alleged money laundering scheme.

She urged the court to convict the defendants and impose appropriate penalties.

In his judgment, Justice Ogazi found all four defendants guilty on the second count of the charges and sentenced them accordingly.

Bamidele Ayodele Emmanuel was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, followed by three months of community service, and ordered to forfeit N1 million to the Federal Government.

Garuba Fathiat Funmilayo received four months’ imprisonment and 15 months of community service, in addition to forfeiting N1 million to the Federal Government within 72 hours.

Abdullah Oriyomi Yusuf was sentenced to four months in prison, three months of community service, and ordered to forfeit N800,000 to the Federal Government.

Gbenro Victor Ademola was also sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, three months of community service, and directed to forfeit N700,000 to the Federal Government within 72 hours.

In addition to the sentences, the court ordered the convicts to collaborate with the EFCC in public enlightenment campaigns aimed at educating Nigerians on the dangers of indiscriminately selling or surrendering their personal information to third parties.

A Zamfara State High Court has sentenced two men, Abdulshakur Tukur and Abdullahi Buba, to death by hanging after finding them guilty of conspiracy and the murder of Ahmad Yakubu.

Chief Judge Justice Kulu Isa Aliyu said the judgment followed a careful review of the evidence and testimonies presented by both the prosecution and the defence.

The court found that the two men killed Yakubu in the Barakallahu area of Gusau on December 13, 2021.

In addition to the death sentence for culpable homicide under Section 221 of the Penal Code, the court also sentenced both men to seven years’ imprisonment for criminal conspiracy under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

After the judgment, Zamfara State prosecuting counsel Kabiru Samaila said he was satisfied with the verdict, noting that the prosecution presented enough evidence to secure the conviction.

The defence lawyer, Zakari Abubakar, said the trial was conducted peacefully but added that his team would study the judgment before deciding whether to appeal.

The court also ruled on other suspects linked to the case. Aminu Baba, who was accused of buying parts removed from the victim’s body, was struck out of the case after he died in custody.

Another suspect, Ahmad Tukur, was discharged and acquitted because the court found there was insufficient evidence linking him to the crime.

The case first drew national attention in January 2022 after the suspects were charged with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and cannibalism.

Three minors reportedly admitted to the charges during the early stages of the case, while the adult suspects denied the allegations before the matter was transferred to the High Court for trial.