***As Barrister Maxwell Opara demands Justice for Mama Yesufu

In a fiery press conference held on Tuesday, Barrister Maxwell Opara reignited calls for justice in a high-stakes property fraud scandal that has left 79-year-old Hajia Colleen Mero Yesufu fighting to reclaim her properties in the Katampe and Guzape districts of Abuja.
The case, involving allegations of forgery, criminal trespass, and fraudulent property sales, has also raised questions about police integrity and accountability.
Central to the case is Rebecca Omokamo Godwin Isaac (alias Bilkisu Ishaku Aliyu) and her company, Homadil Realty Limited.
They are accused of orchestrating a conspiracy to fraudulently seize Yesufu’s properties, allegedly with the complicity of certain police officers.
Despite substantial evidence presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including forged documents used to manipulate the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), the Nigeria Police Force has controversially dismissed the matter as a “civil issue.”
Opara criticized the Nigeria Police Force, specifically the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, accusing them of shielding the accused.
“How can the Police classify a case as civil without conducting any investigation?” he asked. He further revealed that the EFCC had not only identified the fraudulent documents but also secured an interim forfeiture order on the disputed properties. Yet, according to Opara, the Police have not only failed to act but have allegedly provided armed escorts to protect the suspect’s illegal constructions.
Opara highlighted what he termed the Police’s selective approach to justice. “If the Police can arrest someone for stealing a chicken or detain activists over tweets, why can’t they prosecute those involved in such brazen fraud?” he asked, launching the #ProsecuteTheCrime campaign to demand accountability.

The human rights lawyer also condemned alleged police harassment of the Yesufu family and journalists covering the case, stating that such actions undermine public trust in law enforcement. “Justice in Nigeria often wears the veil of influence instead of being blind,” he said, urging the IGP to distance himself from the case to ensure impartial investigations.

Opara called on the EFCC to expedite the prosecution of the suspects and appealed to the media to amplify the call for justice for vulnerable citizens like Mama Yesufu. “This is not just about one woman; it’s about the future of justice and the protection of the weak in our society,” he said.

In closing, Opara vowed to pursue justice relentlessly, declaring, “We will not stop until every shred of influence shielding criminals is removed and Mama Yesufu’s rights are restored.”

This case, which highlighted the interplay between corruption, influence, and justice in Nigeria, has sparked public outrage and rekindled debates about the integrity of the nation’s justice system.
The call for justice for Mama Yesufu is not just a legal battle but a test of Nigeria’s commitment to fairness and equality before the law.

The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy has condemned the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) over plans to collect revenues on behalf of the six Area Councils in the FCT, calling the move unconstitutional and illegal.

In a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja, the group’s Head of Legal Unit, Mr. Kalu Agu Kalu, argued that the FCT-IRS Act of 2015 limits the agency’s authority to collecting revenues solely for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

“For clarity, the six Area Councils are not departments under the FCTA but are constitutionally established as the third tier of government, with their functions and powers clearly defined by the Constitution,” Kalu said.

The group criticized Acting FCT-IRS Chairman, Mr. Michael Ango, for attempting to undermine the autonomy of the Area Councils, which had been affirmed by the Supreme Court.

Ango had announced during the FCT-IRS 2024 end-of-year media briefing that the agency would take over revenue collection for the Area Councils starting in 2025. He explained that the goal was to simplify compliance for taxpayers and improve transparency and accountability.

Ango added that the decision was based on the directive of FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, and included plans to harmonize revenue administration across the FCT.

In response, the advocacy group rejected the justification, insisting that such powers were not granted by the FCT-IRS Act or the Nigerian Constitution.

“The Taxes and Levies Act, LFN 2004, explicitly makes revenue collection by unauthorized persons a criminal offense,” Kalu stated.

The group revealed it had filed a lawsuit at the FCT High Court seeking an injunction against the FCT-IRS to prevent it from implementing the policy. It also warned taxpayers that payments made to the FCT-IRS instead of the Area Councils could lead to double taxation.

“Any taxpayer who pays revenues meant for the Area Councils to the FCT-IRS does so at their own risk and should be ready to pay again when approached by the Area Councils,” Kalu warned.

The group further threatened to initiate private criminal prosecution against the FCT-IRS chairman if the agency proceeds with the controversial policy.

“We call on all stakeholders to resist any unlawful policy aimed at undermining Nigeria’s constitutional order and the autonomy of local government authorities,” Kalu said.

The case is currently before the FCT High Court, and the group urged the FCT-IRS to maintain the status quo pending the court’s decision.

In a decisive move against urban vandalism, operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have dismantled a syndicate responsible for large-scale theft and destruction of public infrastructure in Abuja.
Fifty suspects were arrested, and millions of naira worth of stolen manhole covers, solar panels, and high-voltage cables were recovered in what authorities have tagged one of the largest crackdowns on infrastructure theft in recent times.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, while parading the suspects, revealed that the arrests followed weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering. The operation targeted hotspots in Kabusa, Garki, Mabushi, and Wuse, where thieves had turned public spaces into crime zones.
Recovered items include 25 manhole covers, three vehicles, vandalized solar streetlights, galvanised rods, high-voltage Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) cables, and seven barrels of diesel stolen from telecom masts.
The police also recovered two locally-made pistols, live cartridges, charms, and modified vehicles, one reconstructed into a diesel tanker used in transporting stolen goods.
Investigations revealed the suspects operate as part of an organized network, funnelling stolen items to scrap dealers and industrial buyers.
Describing the syndicate’s activities as a major threat to public safety, Commissioner Disu emphasized the hazards posed by open manholes and damaged streetlights, which endanger motorists and pedestrians.
“This operation highlights our zero-tolerance policy against vandalism and theft that compromise public safety and development,” Disu said. “We are committed to prosecuting all involved and shutting down these criminal networks permanently.”
In a related development, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has identified an iron smelting company as one of the buyers of the stolen manhole covers.
According to Mr. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the FCT Minister, exhibits recovered from the company are now in police custody as investigations continue.
Olayinka stated that suspects in custody are providing critical information about buyers and middlemen involved in the illegal trade.
He assured the public that authorities would pursue all leads to dismantle the supply chain enabling such crimes.
Reacting to the arrests, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, ordered the immediate replacement of vandalized manhole covers across affected areas. Expressing outrage over the hazards caused by the thefts, as he pledged full support for law enforcement efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.
“We will not tolerate activities that jeopardize public safety or hinder the development of our capital city,” Wike said.
While authorities celebrate the breakthrough, the incident has reignited calls for stricter regulations on scrap metal businesses and improved surveillance systems to protect public infrastructure. The police have urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities as efforts to safeguard Abuja’s public assets continue.