Crime
Fraud: 5 jailed over diversion of VSF N9.1m in Yola
Fraud: 5 jailed over diversion of VSF N9.1m in Yola
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Five staff of the Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA) in Yola has been convicted for 7 years each for diversion of foster care intervention funds amounting to N9.1 million.
Delivering judgement in the Upper Area Court 3 sitting in Yola, trial judge Adamu Abbas convicted and sentenced the five Staff of CHEDA to 7 years each without an option of fine to correctional custody on the 19th of May 2022.
Trouble started for the five staff in 2016 when their Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA) received a grant of N2, 032,500.00 from the Victims Support Fund (VSF).
This sum was for the implementation of the VSF Foster Care Project to facilitate Protection and Shelter for 150 orphaned children in 75 households in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State.
The amount of N1, 016,250.00 only was transferred to the organization in two tranches to cover administrative and operational cost.
In addition, VSF transferred a sum of N2,100,000 to same organization on a Monthly basis for 10 Months (February 2017 to November 2017); being project cost meant for disbursement to 75 beneficiary households at N28, 000 each, per month.
Each household had 2 Foster Children, and each child is entitled to N 14, 000.00 per Month to be used for the support of all children in the households.
In addition, VSF transferred the sum of N50, 000.00 to the same organization monthly for their administrative usage.
This was also done for a period of 10 Months (February 2017 to November 2017), being the Monthly stipends for disbursement to 5 social workers at N10, 000 per Month.
The report of incomplete payment and nonpayment to the beneficiaries and social workers for certain number of Months however reached VSF in November 2017.
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The allegations were further investigated by VSF team and confirmed by the beneficiaries and the key stakeholders to the project in the Gombi communities of Adamawa state before a final report.
The investigation further revealed that Gidado Yolde the Executive Director, through staff members like Mahmud Bello and Aisha Umul made full payment for 4 Months (February, March, July and November 2017), half payment for 3 Months (April, May and June 2017) and Non-payment for 3 Months (August, September and October 2017).
The Finance Officer of CHEDA name withheld was also mentioned as being responsible for monetary activities of the organization but was conspicuously absent on the day VSF team visited the organization.
It was therefore discovered that a total amount of N9, 100, 000 has been diverted by the organization through the above mentioned persons.
The 5 non state workers were accused of being complicit in the above stated case, namely Muhammed Yolde, Mahmud Bello, Atiku Hayatu, Aisha Siddiki, Ummul Aliyu and were sentenced to 7 years in correctional custody.
The convicts were yet to appeal the judgement as at the time of writing this report.
Fraud: 5 jailed over diversion of VSF N9.1m in Yola
Decomposed body of kidnapped man found in mining pond in Jos South
By: Zagazola Makama
Decomposed body of a man earlier reported kidnapped has been discovered in a mining pond in Farin Lamba community of Jos South Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola that the discovery was made by the police at about 4 p.m. following a report by residents.
He said the Divisional Police Officer, Kaduna Vom Division, immediately mobilised a team of policemen to the scene where the corpse was identified as that of Mr. Cyril Nilanda, a resident of NITR Quarters, Vom.
Nilanda was reportedly kidnapped on Sept. 30, 2025, and had been missing since then.
Sources said the body, which was found in a decomposed state, was being prepared for evacuation and further forensic examination.
The police assured that concerted efforts were ongoing to track down those responsible for the abduction and killing of the victim.
Decomposed body of kidnapped man found in mining pond in Jos South
Man abducted after delivering ransom for kidnapped child in Kogi
By: Zagazola Makama
A man identified as Ocholi Cornelius Ochoni has been abducted after delivering ransom money for the release of a five-year-old girl in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident, which occurred on Oct. 22, 2025, took place around Echukwu area of Bassa, when Ocholi went to hand over ransom money to the kidnappers to secure the release of Omaojo Philip, who had been kidnapped earlier in the week.
It was gathered that the abductors released the child unharmed after receiving the ransom but seized Ocholi immediately afterward and took him away to an unknown destination.
Efforts are ongoing by security agencies to trace the whereabouts of the victim and ensure his safe return.
Man abducted after delivering ransom for kidnapped child in Kogi
Bauchi police arrest suspect over alleged killing of singer John Zuya
By: Zagazola Makama
Police operatives in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State have arrested a suspect in connection with the death of popular Sayawa artist, John Zuya, whose songs had earned him fans across the country, particularly among his tribesmen.
Zuya had recently traveled to Lagos, where he performed to a large crowd and reportedly earned a significant sum of money.
However, shortly after returning from the trip, he died under mysterious circumstances, sparking shock across his community.
A few days later, Yakubu Alhamdu, Deputy Chairman of Zayoda, Tafawa Balewa branch, claimed in a video shared on his Facebook platform that Zuya was allegedly killed by his friend, Emmanuel Wakili, also a Sayawa artist.
In the video, Alhamdu stated that Wakili confessed to killing Zuya out of jealousy, explaining that he captured Zuya’s soul (“Kurwa”) in a small bag and struck his head until he died. Alhamdu noted that this accounted for the blood seen on Zuya’s forehead after his death.
The incident has thrown the community into mourning, with many residents seeking justice.
Following the report, police traced and arrested Wakili, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the full circumstances surrounding Zuya’s death.
Bauchi police arrest suspect over alleged killing of singer John Zuya
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