A Federal Excessive Courtroom in Abuja has ordered the Nigeria Police Power and the Division of State Providers to research the courtroom’s Registrar, Nasiru Onimisi Zubairu, over alleged tampering with displays in a N10 billion fraud trial.
The order was made by Justice J.Ok. Omotosho following disclosures involving the courtroom’s Registrar and the second defendant, Daudu Sulaiman.
The choose mentioned the investigation grew to become needed after the Registrar admitted that Sulaiman approached him to tamper with displays deposited earlier than the courtroom.
Based on Justice J.Ok. Omotosho, the courtroom has a strict coverage of transparency and 0 tolerance for conduct able to undermining judicial proceedings.
The alleged tampering pertains to displays tendered in an ongoing N10 billion fraud case.
The Registrar, Nasiru Onimisi Zubairu, informed the courtroom that the second defendant approached him whereas the displays had been in courtroom custody and requested him to delete sure WhatsApp messages contained within the cellphone.
Based on Zubairu, Sulaiman requested what he wished in return, and he informed him he was going through lodging challenges.
When requested by the choose to specify which chats he deleted, the Registrar mentioned he couldn’t keep in mind the precise messages however admitted that he opened two chats.
Justice Inyang Ekwo allowed prosecutors to ask the EFCC’s investigating officer, Muhammed Audu Abubakar, to confirm whether or not key WhatsApp messages had been deleted.
Abubakar informed the courtroom that forensic checks confirmed a number of chats from 2020 to 2022 had been lacking, together with messages allegedly referencing giant money actions, with gaps present in December 2020, January 2021, August 2021, and February 2022.30, 2021, and February 28, 2022, which investigators mentioned referenced the switch and receipt of enormous sums of cash.
Reacting to the findings, Director of Public Prosecution, Mr, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the courtroom to order a full investigation.
Defence counsel expressed shock on the growth however urged the courtroom to await the result of the forensic investigation earlier than taking any additional steps.
Justice Omotosho ordered the Nigeria Police Power and the Division of State Providers to research the alleged tampering and adjourned the matter to February 9, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
The EFCC’s prosecution of Robert Orya underscores its ongoing deal with holding public officers accountable for crimes.
