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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday f2026 arraigned Mr. Ahmed Adamu Dikko, former Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd (PHRC), before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/360/2026 and dated and filed on June 22 by the Commission’s counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, listed Dikko and Masterpiece Projects & Investment Limited as first and second defendants respectively.
Dikko, who led the Port Harcourt Refining Company for about four years, pleaded not guilty to a 12-count charge filed against him by the Commission on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
The EFCC accused Dikko of laundering N1,322,839,112.7 (One Billion, Three Hundred and Twenty-Two Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty-nine Thousand, One Hundred and Twelve Naira, Seven Kobo) in proceeds allegedly linked to contractors engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery, through cash property purchases, undisclosed bank retentions, third-party fund concealment and unauthorised currency conversion, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Count one reads in part: “That you AHMED ADAMU DIKKO… did directly make cash payment of the dollar equivalent of the sum of N218,375,000.00 to one Hadeija Bashir for the purchase of Plot 558, Abubakar Umar Street, Katampe Extension, Abuja without passing through a financial Institution and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 2(1)(a), 19(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.”
Count eight reads: “That you AHMED ADAMU DIKKO, former Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd (PHRC) on or about the 26th of June, 2023 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court disguised the origin of the sum of N328,710,337.50 (Three Hundred and Twenty Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Seven Naira, Fifty Kobo) paid into the GTBank Account Plc No. 0123201507 operated by Masterpiece Projects & Investment Limited by OMSA Integrated Services Limited from the transactions involving NNPC Limited allocation of Vacuum Gas Oil for export when you knew that the said sum of N328,710,337.50 constituted proceeds of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary Section 18(2) (a) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Count eleven reads: “That you AHMED ADAMU DIKKO between October, 2022 and May, 2025 did convert the aggregate sum of $77,080 through Ibrahim Isa Yaro which amount did not form part of your known lawful earnings as a former public officer with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
Thereafter, counsel to the defendant, Okechukwu Ajunwa, SAN urged the court to grant the defendant bail pending the determination of the suit. Iheanacho, however, opposed the bail application.
In his ruling on the bail application, Justice Ekwo granted the defendant bail in the sum of N150,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) with a surety who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and with a landed property valued at not less than the bail sum. He ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the EFCC pending when he’s able to meet the bail conditions.
The matter was therefore adjourned to October 12, 13 and 14, 2026 for trial.
The post EFCC Arraigns Former MD Of Port Harcourt Refinery for Alleged N1.32bn Money Laundering appeared first on Business Today NG.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudiness and rain across the country from Thursday to Saturday.
NiMet’s weather outlook, released on Wednesday in Abuja, forecast patches of cloud over the northern region on Thursday.
It predicted prospects of morning thunderstorms accompanied by light rain over parts of Gombe, Bauchi, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba states during the morning hours.
NiMet anticipated isolated thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rain over parts of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, and Taraba later in the day.
”For the North-Central region, thunderstorms accompanied by light rains are expected over the central region during the morning hours.
”During the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rain are expected over parts of Niger, Kwara, Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory,” it said.
The agency forecast a cloudy atmosphere over the southern region with prospects of morning rains over parts of Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, and Ekiti.
NiMet predicted moderate rain over most parts of the region later in the day.
According to NiMet, patches of clouds are anticipated over the northern region on Friday, with prospects of morning thunderstorms accompanied by light rain over parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Taraba, and Adamawa during the morning hours.
It predicted thunderstorms with moderate rainfall over parts of Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba States later in the afternoon or evening.
”Sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the central region, with prospects of early morning thunderstorms with light rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Niger, Kwara, and Kogi States during the morning hours.
”Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over the entire region. Early-morning light rain is anticipated over the region.
“Later in the day, moderate rains are anticipated over parts of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Edo States,” it said.
NiMet anticipated partly cloudy skies over the northern region on Saturday, with chances of thunderstorms accompanied by light rain over parts of Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Taraba, and Kaduna States during the morning hours.
It predicted thunderstorms with moderate rain over parts of Taraba, Kaduna, and Adamawa States later in the day.
”Sunny skies with patches of clouds are anticipated over the North-Central region, with chances of thunderstorms accompanied by light rains over parts of Benue state during the morning hours.
“Later during the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kwara, and Kogi States.
”Cloudy atmosphere is expected over the southern region with prospects of light rains over parts of Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States during the morning hours,” it said.
NiMet envisaged moderate rain over most parts of the region later in the day.
According to NiMet, strong winds may precede rain in areas where thunderstorms are likely.
It urged the public to take adequate precautions and to ensure that loose objects are fastened to prevent collisions.
The agency also urged the public to avoid driving in heavy rain and to disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets.
”Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees.
“Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” the agency said.
It advised residents to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng
(NAN)
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