By Isaac Aregbesola

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained an Abuja businessman for allegedly defrauding a Ukrainian investor of more than 120 million dollars in a scheme purportedly spanning nearly two decades.

EFCC Spokesman, Dele Oyewale, who confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Abuja on Tuesday, said the suspect was arrested in his residence in Abuja on Monday, and has since been in custody.

He however declined further explanation on the development.

Meanwhile a source at the commission conversant with the development, said the suspect was accused of advance fee fraud, criminal breach of trust, criminal conversion, obtaining money under false pretence, theft and money laundering.

According to the source, the details of the case show that his arrest follows collaboration with international investigators and information provided by whistle-blowers within his organisation.

“The suspect allegedly obtained millions of dollars from the investor between 2007 and 2015 for mineral exploration and power projects that were never delivered, and the funds allegedly diverted for personal use.

”The commission also uncovered alleged transfers of billions of naira to companies and individuals linked to the suspect including his children.

“His 28-year-old son, controls Battregen Limited, which investigators described as a conduit for laundering funds.

”Between February and April 2025, Battregen reportedly received approximately N1.4 billion in purported loans in spite of recording no revenue.

“In July 2025, a further N953 million was allegedly transferred to the son of which only N90 million was returned.

”Investigators also identified transfers of between N48 million and N50 million to the suspect’s 26-year-old daughter, and a relative and business associate. They reportedly found no legitimate business purpose for the payments.”

The source further said that the EFCC was expanding its investigation and had appealed to members of the public and the businessman’s former associates to provide further information.

The official explained that the case concerned a Ukrainian investor who reportedly lost substantial assets following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

”Investigators alleged that the suspect subsequently entered into dealings with Inter RAO UES, a Russian state-owned enterprise, for mineral exploitation and energy projects.

”The allegations also extend to his earlier business dealings in Ukraine.
In the mid-2000s, the suspect allegedly persuaded two Ukrainian businessmen to finance the privatisation of Jos Steel Rolling Mill in Plateau before taking exclusive control of the facility, stripping it of assets and abandoning hundreds of workers without wages.

”He also allegedly shot and seriously wounded one of his business partners during a confrontation in Ukraine on April 28, 2008, before fleeing to Nigeria.

“The document detailing the allegations says says the suspect had remained in Nigeria in spite of an Interpol red notice,” the source also told NAN.(NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker

Kenya has confirmed a ninth case of Ebola, with health authorities saying all eight surviving patients are improving.

The latest Kenyan case involves a 24-year-old man who is a close relative of the first patient. He developed symptoms while in quarantine and tested positive on 19 October, according to the Kenyan Ministry of Health.

In a statement published on its X account on Tuesday and signed by Patrick Amoth, the Director-General for Health, the ministry said all nine cases belonged to one known cluster, with no evidence of transmission beyond the group.

Kenya’s first patient was a 40-year-old man who travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi on 3 October. He died at a Nairobi hospital on 5 October.

Treatment and contact tracing

The ministry said the eight surviving patients were stable and responding well to supportive care. It added that it had received 500 doses of medicine to support treatment for confirmed patients.

Contact tracing has also progressed, with 134 of the 135 identified contacts (99.3 per cent) traced and placed in quarantine.

The ministry said contacts who entered quarantine on 6 October and remain symptom-free would complete their 21-day monitoring period and begin returning home from 25 October.

It added that authorities had distributed protective equipment, diagnostic kits, and sample-collection materials to high-risk counties, and established a dedicated laboratory at Kenyatta National Hospital to support testing and prevent disruption to other hospital laboratory services.

Kenya, it noted, has not imposed restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings. The cases in Kenya are linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC, where the Bundibugyo virus has caused thousands of infections and deaths.

WHO reported more than 8,700 confirmed cases and more than 4,200 deaths in the DRC as of 6 October, with transmission continuing across dozens of health zones.

Nigeria confirms first case

The Kenyan update comes as Nigeria confronts its own Ebola infection, with the federal government confirming the first case in Abuja on Tuesday.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the patient was a woman who arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda. She is receiving treatment in isolation at a private hospital in the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement signed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, the federal government said it had begun contact tracing and identified 44 close contacts, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers, and travel contacts.

The government urged healthcare facilities nationwide to remain vigilant, promptly isolate suspected cases, maintain strict infection prevention measures and report suspected infections to public health authorities.

The development has heightened concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly as the outbreak in East and Central Africa coincides with frequent international travel and movement between countries.

Nigeria’s response includes surveillance, laboratory testing, isolation and contact tracing to identify possible infections and limit further transmission.