CRIME
11 Internet Fraudsters Land in Jail in Two Cities
By Gom Mirian, Abuja
Justice F. O. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, jailed three internet fraudsters, namelt: Stephan Isibor, Victor Keniyei and Rasheed Buraimoh
They were arraigned on one count charge of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The trio used false identities to defraud unsuspecting foreign nationals.The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Mohammed, to ask the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Olubanjo convicted and sentenced the duo of Isibor and Keniyei to five years imprisonment with the option of N1 million fine each, while Buraimoh bagged five years imprisonment or a fine of N200, 000.
The defendants are to forfeit their cars – Black Mercedes Benz GLE 2017 Model, Mercedes Benz C300 4matic 2003 Model and Toyota Rav4 – and mobile phones, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In addition, Isibor and Keneyei are to forfeit the balance in their various bank accounts to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Furthermore, Isibor is to forfeit 0.157BTC equivalent of $7,462.15 that was recovered in his bitcoin account with Exedus to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The court also ordered them to undertake in writing to be of good behavior after serving their terms.
In another development, Justice Nathaniel Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Oshogbo, Osun State, on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, jailed six internet fraudsters.
They are: Peter Akanji Blessing, Omobuwa Oluwagbemileke Israel, Solarin Tayo Tunde, Opeyemi Damilola Ajadi, Agbaje Habeeb Boluwatife, and Adewale Adeparusi .
They were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Ibadan Zonal Command on charges of fraudulent impersonation, which is contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (i) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2) (b) (IV) of the same Act.
They were arrested following petitions on their luxurious lifestyles which raised suspicion of criminality.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that the defendants converted their residences to hideouts to accommodate other internet fraudsters and perpetrate their criminal activities.
Items recovered from them, upon their arrests were electronic gadgets ranging from sophisticated computer systems, mobile devices, browsers, amongst others.
Upon their arraignment, they all pleaded guilty to the separate charges preferred against by the EFCC.
Justice Ayo-Emmanuel convicted and sentenced Solarin and Adewale to six months jail term each, while Omobuwa bagged five months imprisonment. Peter, Ajadi and Agbaje were sentenced to four months imprisonment each.
The convicts were ordered to restitute their victims and forfeits the items recovered from them to the Federal government of Nigeria.
The court further ordered that all they signed an undertaking to be of good behaviour after serving their terms.
Similarly, the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission, on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, secured the conviction of two internet fraudsters in both the Federal High Court, and the Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City.
Justice Professor C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court convicted and sentenced
Onuigbo Juliu Ikechuwu to five years imprisonment on a one court charge of impersonation for misrepresenting his identity to defraud an unsuspecting lady in China.
The charge against him reads: “That you, Onuigbo Juliu Ikechukwu (m) ( a.k.a Grayson Raymond, aka Mike) sometime in 2019 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did with intent to defraud sent electronic messages which materially misrepresent facts as to your identity to a lady in China upon which she relied and suffered financial loss in the sum of Forty Thousand Yuan (equivalent of N1.9million) and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(2)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015”.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Aham Ozigbu prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant.
Justice Obiozor convicted and sentenced the defendant to five years imprisonment or a fine of N500, 000. He is also to forfeit his iPhone to the Federal Government and undertake in writing to be of good behavior henceforth.
In the same vein, Justice Efe Ikponwonba of the Edo State High Court convicted and sentenced Samuel Asenguah to two years imprisonment. The defendant was arraigned on one count charge of fraudulent impersonation of the identity of one Charles Melton with which he sought to defraud unsuspecting victims through his Instagram account.
Upon arraignment, he pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting the prosecution counsel, K. U. Udus, to ask the court to convict and sentence the defendant. Justice Ikponwonba convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with the option of N200, 000 fine.
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State, Danlami Abdullahi Saku was assaulted and seriously injured over his inability to settle a campaign loan he obtained, the State Police Command said three suspects were now in their custody over the incident.
Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun in a release on Wednesday said On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.
Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.
He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.
The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.
The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.
“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.
“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”
The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.
However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.
There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.
Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.
He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.
The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.
We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”
Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.
He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.
“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.
A Student of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Modupe Ayandare, was found dead on Monday after attending a church vigil.
The death of Ayandare, who is of the Department of Agronomy, was made known by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the institution.
“We express in strong terms our dissatisfaction and agony with respect to the death of one of our students, Miss Modupe Ayandare of the Department of Agronomy.
“According to report, the deceased was said to have committed suicide in the early hours of today at about 4:00am after she returned from a vigil in her church.
“The incident happened beside the church she attended, around Spotless Villa.
“The law enforcement agency has been informed already, and all hands are on deck to get to the root of the situation.
“Be assured that justice will be served and the law enforcement agency will undertake thorough investigation,” Mr Emmanuel Olaogbebikan, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the SUG, stated.
He asked anybody with useful information regarding the incident to give to the concerned authorities to come forward.
Also mourning the death of the student, the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS), AAUA Chapter, said the loss deeply affected the department.
Faith Igba, the PRO of the department, said the demise of Ayandare was a profound loss to the department.
Igba urged the members of the department to come together and be of help to one another, asking those going through challenges to seek help.
“During this difficult time, we urge everyone to come together in support of each other. The mental well-being of our members is of utmost importance, and we encourage anyone who may be struggling to seek help.
“Our faculty offers counselling services, and we are here to support you in any way we can.
“Please join me in extending our deepest condolences to Comrade Modupe’s family, friends and colleagues.
“Let us honour her memory by fostering a compassionate and supportive environment for all,” he said.
Speaking on the death of Ayandare, Victor Akinpelumi, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, said that the institution had confirmed the incident but was yet to know the cause of the death.
Akinpelumi, who sympathised with the family of the deceased, said that the institution would make an official statement known to the public as regards the death later.
Gunmen Attack Police Station, Kill 2 in Anambra
Share The Police Command in Anambra says gunmen have burnt its station in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area, killing...
IPPIS Data Base not Compromised, OAGF Assures Employees
Share By Tony Obiechina, Abuja The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has reiterated the Federal Government’s...
Again, Inflation Drops to 32.15% in August
ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja Nigeria’s headline inflation dropped to 32.15 percent in August, according to National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)...
Imo: Police kill 3 Hoodlums in Attempted Police Station Attack
Share The Police Command in Imo on Sunday foiled an attack by hoodlums on Njaba Local Government Area Divisional Police...
INC Condemns killings During Youth Congress Elections
Share The Ijaw National Congress (INC) worldwide has condemned in strong terms the Sept.14 killings in Abuloma during the ljaw...
Tinubu Committed to Improving Welfare of Senior Citizens –Alake
Share Dr Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has restated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improve the welfare...
Lifting of Petrol from Dangote Refinery Marks Industrialisation – FG
Share The Federal Government has hailed the commencement of petroleum product lifting from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, describing...
Parents Protest Boarding Fees Increase in Lagos School
Share Some parents of students of Oriwu Model College in Ikorodu on Sunday protested the sudden increase of boarding fees...
Federal High Court Resumes Tuesday After Annual Vacation
Share The Federal High Court (FHC) will, on Tuesday, resume its annual vacation. The annual vacation, which began on July...
EFCC Detains 5 Chinese Nationals over Alleged Illegal Mining
Share The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended five suspected Chinese illegal miners in Ndito-Eka-Iba village, Ibieno Local...