CRIME
Court Jails Kwara Decorator, Two Others for Cybercrime
From Alfred Babs, Ilorin
The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of one Asaolu Femi, an interior decorator from Iloffa in Oke-ero Local Government Area of Kwara State and two others for offences bordering on cybercrime.
The two others are Adeoye Abdulgafar from Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo state and Madiu Bayo from Kishi in Irepo area of Oyo State.
The three convicts were prosecuted on separate charges before Justice Adebayo Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.
The charge against Ashaolu reads:
“That you, Asaolu Femi Richard (Alias: Marissa Hant) sometime in April 2023, in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did cheat by personation when you pretended to be one Marissa Hant a white Transgender from Texas, United States of America with email account phemiolamde@gmail.com and in that guise induced one Nick Fansier, to send you $30 (Thirty Dollars) which you received via a gift card thereby committed an offence contrary to section 321 of the Penal Code Law and Punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code Law “
While the particulars of the charge against Madiu read:
“That you, Adeoye Abdulgafar Olashile (Alias: Farmer Daughter), sometime between the month of November 2022 and April 2023, in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did cheat by personation when you pretended to be one Farmer Daughter, a white female with WhatsApp account number +2347081001435 and in that guise induced one Ronde Hill, to send you $450 ( Four Hundred and Fifty Dollars) which you did received via cash app and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code Law”
The anti-graft agency stated in the charge against Adeoye thus:
“That you, Madiu Bayo Tajudeen (Alias: Sylvia), sometime between the month of November 2022 and March 2023, in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did Cheat by personation when you pretended to be one Sylvia, a white Female, from Massachusetts, United States of America, with Telegram Account Number +2349046631330 and in that guise induced one William Kisam, to send you $600 (Six Hundred Dollars) which you did received via gift cards and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code Law.”
All the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charge independently before the Court.
Following their ‘guilty pleas’, Counsel to the EFCC, M. M Kaigama, led witnesses who are operatives of the Commission in evidence to review the facts of the cases. The witnesses narrated the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the defendants and tendered their extra-judicial statements, different brands of phones recovered from them at the point of arrest and the various sums of money, which the defendants brought as restitution and were admitted in evidence.
Kaigama, after the testimonies of the witnesses urged the court to convict the defendants as charged based on their admittance of guilt, their extra-judicial statements and the evidence tendered before it.
Justice Yusuf in his judgment on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 said that he was convinced that the prosecution had proved the cases beyond reasonable doubt and he pronounced the defendants guilty.
The Judge sentenced Asaolu to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N100,000.
He ordered that a Samsung S10 phone which he used to perpetrate the crime and the sum of $30 (Thirty USD) which he benefited from the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Similarly, Justice Yusuf sentenced Adeoye to six months imprisonment with option of N50,000 fine in lieu of the imprisonment, while the convict was also ordered to forfeit his iphone 13 Promax and the sum of $400 (Four Hundred United States Dollars) to the Federal Government.
Madiu, in his case bagged six months imprisonment with option of fine of N100,000 while one Samsung S8, HP laptop used as instruments of the crime and the sum of $600 (Six Hundred United States Dollars) which he benefited from the illegal activity were forfeited to the Federal Government.
CRIME
Police Detain 2 Suspects, Recover 25 Stolen Phones in Borno
The Nigerian Police Command in Borno has apprehended two suspects and recovered 25 stolen mobile phones during a stop-and-search operation along Damboa Road, in Maiduguri.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Daso explained that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubako, and Ibrahim Mohammed, were intercepted by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Dec.
10 while riding a tricycle.He said that during the search, the operatives uncovered various mobile phones reportedly stolen from individuals across communities and villages along the Borno -Adamawa State border.
He identified some of the communities as Mubi, Tashan Alade, Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, and Biu Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to snatching the phones from their victims.
“The police have initiated efforts to return the recovered devices with their rightful owner.
“Also, the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.
Daso reiterated the commitment of the Police Commissioner in the state, Yusufu Lawal, to maintain public safety during the Yuletide season. (NAN)
CRIME
Niger Police Command Arrests Three Suspects over Assault on Council Boss
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.
CRIME
Chief Imam’s Sallah Ram Stolen in Jos
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.