List: High-ranking corruption lawsuits happening in 2025
As 2025 begins, several high-profile legal battles are set to dominate headlines. Here are five key court cases to follow:
1. The Spiritual Cleansing Scam Trial
A group of defendants stands accused of defrauding Dr. Lateef Oladimeji Bello and his family of over £1 million and ₦175 million under the guise of offering “spiritual cleansing.”
The charges allege that the defendants promised spiritual prayers to solve the Bello family’s financial and personal problems, only to defraud them.
One charge states:
“Morufu Yahaya Adewale, Omitogun Ajayi, Ajisegiri Abiodun, Abayomi Kamaldeen Alaka, Taiwo Olamilekan Ahmed, Raufu Wale Raheem, and Sanlabiu Owolabi Teslim, between August and September 2018 at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division, obtained the total sum of ₦175,000,000.00 from Dr. and Dr. (Mrs.) Lateef Oladimeji Bello to conduct spiritual prayers for spiritual cleansing of their son and the family and that the money would be refunded one week after the prayers, which pretence you knew to be false.”
Witness testimony details how money was handed over in 25 “Ghana-must-go” bags, and “big rams” were purchased for rituals. The trial resumes on January 6, 2025.
2. Yahaya Bello’s ₦110.4 Billion Corruption Trial: Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello faces 16 counts of corruption and money laundering, accused of misappropriating ₦110.4 billion from state funds.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges Bello engaged in a criminal breach of trust. Bello has denied all charges, and his trial continues on January 29, 2025.
3. Ahmed Kuru and Arik Air’s ₦76 Billion Fraud Case: Ahmed Kuru, former MD of AMCON, along with Arik Air executives, is charged with misappropriating ₦76 billion and $31.5 million. Allegations include fraudulent transactions and the destruction of assets tied to Arik Air loans.
Court proceedings will resume on January 20, 2025.
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4. Professor David Lornem’s Degree Mill Scandal: Professor David Lornem is accused of operating a fraudulent scheme involving unaccredited degrees through “Commonwealth University Belize.”
The ICPC alleges that Lornem misled students into paying for invalid degrees between 2012 and 2013. The trial continues in March 2025 under Justice P.O. Lifu.
5. Gimba Kumo Yau’s $65 Million Money Laundering Case: Former FMBN CEO Gimba Kumo Yau faces charges of diverting $65 million from a housing project in Abuja’s Kubwa District.
The ICPC claims funds intended for 962 residential units were laundered into private accounts. The trial begins on February 6, 2025.
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