2025.2.28 Ikorodu court remands 28-year-old man for stealing
A 28-year-old man, Toyin Damilola, appeared before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court on Friday for allegedly stealing N1.5 million meant for fish and chicken feeds.
The defendant was charged with two counts of stealing.
He, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Adegeshin Famuyiwa, Damilola allegedly converted N577,720 meant for 24 bags of fish feed and N954,930 meant for 50 bags of chicken feed to his personal use.
He said the money belonged to the complainant, Mrs. Oluwafunmilola Lawal, adding that the defendant also conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace.
The prosecutor stated that the offences contravened Sections 168(D) and 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Magistrate A.O. Ogbe granted the defendant N500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until March 27 for mention.
2025.2.27 MetroCourt dissolves 13 years marriage over disrespect, beating
A 13-year-old marriage between housewife, Gaminana Aminat, and her husband, Musa Abdulrahab, was on Thursday dissolved in a Lugbe Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja for disrespect and beating.
The judge, Aliyu Kagarko, dissolved the marriage according to Islamic Law, following Aminat‘s prayer for divorce on grounds of misbehaviour and lack of respect.
Kagarko also ordered Aminat to observe “Iddah”, which is a-three month period of observation after the judgment before contracting another marriage.
Earlier, the petitioner, Aminat told the court that she got married to Abdulrahab under Islamic law in 2012, which union produced three children.
Aminat said that Abdulrahab had been misbehaving and disrespecting her and her parents for some years now.
She said that at any little misunderstanding, Abdulrahab would beat her and when her parents and other family members tried to intervene, he would insult them.
She told the court that both family members had tried to advice him but he refused to adhere to advice.
“We are fighting each other always and I can no longer bear the pains.
“I’m no longer interested in tolerating his misbehaviour and disrespect for me and my parents.
“I am no longer interested in the marriage, for beating, lack of care for me and the children and disrespect for my parents.”
She prayed the court to dissolve the marriage on the ground of beating, lack of care and disrespect.
The respondent consented to the divorce request.
2025.2.25 Suspected Herders Kill 2 Farmers In Edo
Suspected herdsmen on Monday attacked Okpekpe Community in Etsako East local government area of Edo State, killing two farmers and throwing the community into pandemonium.
The deceased identified as Philip Batemue (a.k.a Ebo) and another, Mr Christopher Bello were killed Monday morning by suspected herders on their way to their farms.
The remains of the victims which were recovered by local vigilantes were deposited at a morgue.
The death of the two farmers were confirmed by both the community’s traditional ruler, Onwuweko of Okpekpe, HRH Peter Osigbemeh and the chairman of the local government, Hon Benedicta Atoh.
Attoh, in a statement by his media aide, Ben Atu expressed concern over the ongoing killings in the Okpekpe community of North Ibie Zone, saying if immediate actions were not taken by the government to halt the killing, the entire community will be wiped out.
The Chairman also described the killing as a ‘black Monday.’
Meanwhile, the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the attack and expressed disappointment over the failure of Governor Monday Okpebholo to live up to his primary responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of the state.
The party in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, accused the Governor of abandoning governance for needless jamborees to mark his 100 days in office without significant achievements, while innocent Edo citizens are being slaughtered.
“We are deeply saddened by the heinous attack on the people of Okpekpe Community in Etsako East Local Government Area by suspected herdsmen, which led to the gruesome murder of two innocent citizens, Batemue Philip Ebo and Christopher Bello.
“We condemn this dastardly act in the strongest terms and send our heartfelt condolences to their families, loved ones, and the entire community during this difficult time,” Nehikhare said.
When contacted, Spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, who said he would get back to journalists has not done so as at the time of filling this report.
Operatives of the Adamawa State Police Command have apprehended one Usman Abubakar, a member of a notorious gangster, popularly called ‘Shila’ boys on the allegation of robbery in Mubi-North local government area of the state.
Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Danwambo Morris, said the suspect, who hails from Shuware Ward in the said local government area was arrested following a complaint lodged by one Hadiza Atiku of Wuro Harde Ward.
Police said the complainant accused the suspect of physically assaulting her and forcefully stealing her Infinix WOD 9 handset while armed with scissors.
The CP further explained that the suspect stabbed the victim in the face, thereby causing her grievous injuries.
He stressed that operatives of the Command attached to Mubi North Divisional Police headquarters swiftly swung into action upon receiving the report, leading to the arrest of the suspect and recovery of the stolen items.
Items recovered from Abubakar include a tricycle, an Infinix brand of mobile phone, scissors, among others.
The CP added that the suspect is currently in police custody where he is aiding investigation, and will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
2025.2.24 Middle-aged Man Hangs Self In Oyo
A yet-to-be-identified middle-aged man has taken his own life by hanging on a tree along Sagbe-Ojoo Road on the Ibadan – Oyo Expressway, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The deceased’s body was discovered beside a bush after World Oil filling station, still suspended from the tree, on Monday morning.
While some residents and passers-by speculated that the incident might have been a murder disguised as a suicide, the circumstances surrounding the death remain unknown as of the time of filing this report.
Police personnel and other security agencies have arrived the scene to evacuate the body of the deceased.
Attempt by a 24-year-old Thai lady, Ms. Pattaphi Wimonnat, to smuggle 43 parcels of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, weighing 46.60 kilograms into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos, has been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), who arrested her after discovering the illicit consignment in her boxes.
The suspect who confessed to being a hired drug trafficker was arrested on Thursday, February 20, 2025, during the inward clearance of passengers on Qatar Airways flight from Thailand via Doha, Qatar, at the arrival hall, terminal 2 of the Lagos Airport.
She said the drug cartel, which recruited her, promised to pay her $3,000 upon successful delivery of the illicit drug consignment in Nigeria.
Another bid by a drug trafficking syndicate to ship 68 parcels of Ghanaian Loud with a total weight of 42.2kg concealed in walls of crated cartons to London, UK, through the export shed of the Lagos Airport was also frustrated by NDLEA officers on Friday, February 21. Three suspects: a freight agent and two dispatch riders were initially arrested in connection with the seizure before the mastermind of the shipment, Samuel Bitris, was swiftly traced to his Exodus Estate, Ajah, Lagos home, where he was arrested.
At the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers State, NDLEA officers on Thursday, February 20 intercepted 49 cartons containing 49,000 pills of tamol, a brand of tramadol 225mg in a 40ft container during a joint examination of the shipment with men of the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.
In Nasarawa State, NDLEA operatives on Saturday, February 22 arrested two suspects: Bello Adamu, 40, and Pius Azuka, 42, at Kokona/Keffi with 517kg of skunk, while two other suspects: Usman Ruwa, 43, and Yunusa Haruna, 45, were nabbed in a Toyota Corolla car conveying 62.7 kilograms of skunk along Sabon Asibiti road Kontagora, Niger State on Thursday, February 20.
2025.2.23 30 Bodies Of Suspected Ritual Killing Victims Found In Abia
Over 30 unidentified bodies of suspected ritual killing victims have been found on Imo River in Oriendu autonomous community, Umuahia North local government area of Abia State since last year.
The traditional ruler of the community, HRH Eze Philip Ajomiwe, stated this while speaking with LEADERSHIP Sunday in his palace after the body of a woman was found
“The bodies, like the recent one, are either completely naked and without their private parts or in a bag. There’ve also been cases of two decomposing bodies seen beside the NNPC pipeline,” he said.
Explaining that there had not been any arrests since then by the security agents, he expressed concern that the situation was getting out of hand and had created fear in and around the community.
According to the monarch, efforts by the community’s vigilante group to arrest the suspects had failed too, because the group is not as equipped as the suspects are said to be.
“So, we’re appealing to the state government to empower the vigilante group with the necessary logistics and the wherewithal to enable it to match the suspects,” he said.
He argued that nobody ever embarks on such a mission with empty hands especially when the enemy is fully armed with sophisticated weapons and is ready to fight back.
He asserted that his complaints about the situation to the agents had been to no avail, noting that the latest was a letter to the speaker of the State House of Assembly on February 7.
The monarch, who appreciated the government’s upward review of monthly stipends of the traditional rulers, however, noted that the amount is not enough for them to handle insecurity.
He maintained that as the monarchs do not have security votes like the governor to equip their communities’ vigilante groups, the communities need the intervention of the government for peace and security.
2025.2.16 NDLEA intercepts large consignments of illicit drugs in Anambra, Cross River, Nasarawa, others
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted large consignments of illicit drugs in Anambra, Cross River, Nasarawa, Taraba, Ekiti and Lagos states.
NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, announced this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said that in Cross River, the NDLEA’s patrol team along Ogoja -Abakaliki Road on Thursday, intercepted 170,000 pills of tramadol in a truck.
He said that the agency’s operatives at the Apapa Seaport in Lagos on Feb. 11, also recovered 85,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a container imported from India.
According to him, two suspects were also nabbed at Bama Road, Maiduguri on Friday with 60 compressed blocks of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 72 kg.
Similarly, Babafemi said that NDLEA’s operatives raided a notorious drug joint at Iloda Street, Ikole-Ekiti and arrested and detained three suspects.
The NDLEA spokesman said that a total of 83 kilograms of skunk were recovered from them.
He noted that operatives also on Saturday, arrested and detained a 28-year-old female suspect following a raid on her Lekki home in Lagos where 169.5 litres of nitrous oxide popularly known as laughing gas and 111 grams of Loud were recovered.
“Also, not less than 132.84 kilograms of skunk were recovered from two suspects in Taraba,” he said.
He said a total 132.84kg of Arizona and Ghana Loud were found on two other suspects arrested at Wukari, Takanaba, and Sabongari in Jalingo Local Government Area of Taraba.
Babafemi said the agency has continued its war against drug abuse nationwide through sensitisation lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, schools, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers and communities.
NDLEA also recovered multi-million-naira worth of Tramadol pills from a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate.
Babafemi said four suspects detained following intelligence-led operations in Onitsha, Anambra, and Keffi in Nasarawa State, would be prosecuted after investigation.
He said that the drugs were concealed in the bumper and false bottom of two Sienna buses heading to border towns.
He said this followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance operations by operatives of the NDLEA’s Directorate of Intelligence.
Babafemi explained that a Sienna bus marked ABJ 452 HG was intercepted at Nasarawa- Toto road, Keffi, Nasarawa State, on Jan. 27 about 6 am.
He disclosed that two suspects were also arrested in the vehicle coming from Onitsha, Anambra State enroute Yola, Adamawa state.
He added that a second Sienna bus was also intercepted, saying during a search of the two vehicles, specially constructed steel compartments were discovered after the removal of the back bumpers.
“This was where a total of 190,960 pills of tramadol were concealed and, in the space, designed to house the spare tyre of the vehicles.
“Investigations revealed that an Onitsha, Anambra state-based dealer, was the supplier of the seized tramadol consignment.”
He said that a swift follow up operation led to the arrest of the supplier at his Uga Street, Onitsha home on Jan. 29.
“Two vehicles: a Toyota Corolla car marked FGG 948 MF and a Toyota Sienna bus marked GWA 23 HH were recovered from his house,”he said.
“In another interdiction, operatives of the Intelligence Department intercepted a commercial bus coming from Onitsha, Anambra, at Abaji checkpoint, FCT Abuja on Feb. 4.”
Babafemi said that a 32-year old male passenger in the bus, carrying motor spare parts in a black bag, was arrested.
“When his bag was searched, 404, 47 grams of methamphetamine; 506.49grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis were recovered.
“Also, 262.32grams of dimethyl sulfone, a precursor substance for mixing meth, concealed in the motor parts was recovered,” he said.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, February 14, 2025, arraigned 11 more Chinese and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos for fraud.
The defendants are: Li Niu, Xiao Qinyun, Fu Zheng Yang, Xiao Yi, Bei Bei Linde Jun, Li Hang, Huan Livo, Wang Wei Tong Mo Ying, Gao Yang, Zebin Chen and Yuan Zhibin.
They are part of the 792-member syndicate of alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested in Lagos on December 10, 2024 by officers of the EFCC in a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation.”
The suspects were arraigned on separate charges bordering on cyber-terrorism, cybercrimes, possession of documents containing false pretence, advance fee fraud and identity theft.
The charge against Jun reads: “That you, BEI BEI LINDE JUN, (Female), adult and GENTING INTERNATIONAL CO. LIMITED sometime between the 28th of November, 2024 and 10th of December, 2024. at No. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems which were organized to destabilize the social and economic structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when you secretly procured and employed several Nigerian youths for identity theft and other computer related fraud, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.,) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2015 (As amended).”
Niu’s charge reads: “That you, LI NIU sometimes in 2024 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourabe Court, had in your possession documents where you represented yourself as “LISA’ and that you are a female from Singapore, a representation which you knew or ought to have known is false and you thereby committed and offence contrary to Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act.”
They all pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them, following which prosecution counsel, Ahmed Yerima, F.S. Mohammed, A.M. Dambuwq and N.C. Mutfwang asked the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in a Correctional Centre.
Justice Aneke adjourned the matter till March 14 and 21, 2025 for trial, and ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres.
2025.2.13 EFCC Arraigns 16 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Enugu
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 arraigned 16 suspected internet fraudsters before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu for fraud.
The defendants are: Chidera Nehemiah, Chikamso Nwabuisi, Nnamekwe Jeremiah Chukwu, Chiemerie Christian Nworie, Azubuike Akachukwu, Onah Chisom Promise, Onoja Anthony Enemari, Uboegbu Chisom Emmanuel and Ediekemi Patrick Udokaebe.
Others are: David Ugaji Izuhukwu, Asomugha Favour Chibuike, Onuoha Marvelous Onyeani, Chidera Godwin, Modozie Chukwudalu Sixtus, Ugwu Chibuzor Pedro and Obiora Favour Ebube.
While Chukwu, Akachukwu, Promise, Udokaebe, Chibuike, Godwin and Sixtus were arraigned on separate two-count charges, the rest of the defendants were arraigned on separate three-count charges, all bordering on fraudulent personation, obtaining by false pretence, money laundering and possession of fraudulent documents.
Count three against Nwabuisi reads: “That you, Chikamso Nwabuisi, sometime in January, 2025 in Awka, Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, did commit a felony to wit: using and taking possession of the sum of Five Thousand US Dollars ($5,000.00), knowing same to be fund that forms part of proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2022, as amended and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act.”
Court three against Chukwu reads: “That you, Nnaemeka Jeremiah Chukwu sometime in January 2025, at Awka, Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed a felony to wit: using and taking possession of the sum of $5000.00, equivalent of N7,679,600 (Seven Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-nine Thousand, Six Hundred Naira) knowing same to be funds that form parts of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (D) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act”.
They all pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were separately read to them. In view of their plea, prosecution counsel, Michael Ikechukwu Ani, prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in Enugu State Correctional Centre, while
defence counsel, Wisdom Ogbonna, E. J. Nwatarali, B. C. Okeke, O. E. Otakagu, D. O. Onyeji, M. I. Odo and Segun Oyesanya informed the court of pending bail applications of the defendants before the court. Prosecution counsel opposed the bail applications on the ground that they were not due for hearing having been informed at a very short notice and needed time to file counter-affidavits.
After listening to both sides, Justice Umar adjourned the matter involving Nehemiah, Nwabuisi, Chukwu, Nworie and Onyeamari till February 14, 2025 for thehearing of their bail applications, while those of Akachukwu, Promise, Emmanuel, Udoakebe, Izuchukwu, Sixtus and Ebube were adjourned till February 21, 2025 for hearing of the bail applications. The rest were adjourned till March 7, 2025 for the same purpose. He ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Enugu State Correctional Centre.
The defendants were among 37 suspected internet fraudsters arrested on Friday, January 17, 2025 in a sting operation at Dr. J. O. Ukwutinife Close, Commissioners Quarters, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, following actionable intelligence linking them to internet criminal activities.
Investigations revealed that the defendants specialized in forging documents, impersonating foreign nationals and using fake social media accounts to defraud unsuspecting victims.
2025.2.8 Alleged Cyber Terrorism, Internet Fraud: EFCC Witness Reveals How He Was Instructed to Disguise As Female to gain Clients’ Trust
A First Prosecution Witness, PW1, in the trial of one Xiao Hong Will, a Chinese, over an alleged cyber terrorism and internet fraud , on Friday, February 7, 2025, told Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos how he was instructed by his employers to present himself as a female to gain clients’ trust.
The witness, Rowland Turaki, a cyber security student, said he was one of the employees of the Chinese standing trial for alleged cyber terrorism and internet fraud.
Hong Will is a member of the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 19, 2024 in Lagos during a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” by operatives of the EFCC.
He was subsequently arraigned alongside Genting International Company Limited on January 31, 2025 on a three-count charge bordering on an alleged case of cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretence and identity theft, among others.
One of the counts reads: “XIAO HONG WILL and GENTING INTERNATIONAL CO.
LIMITED, on or about the 18th of December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems organised to seriously destabilise the constitutional structure of Nigeria (which prohibits and prevents cyber and related crimes) when you procured/employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain financial advantage for yourselves and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.
At Friday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, informed the court that the prosecution had its witnesses in court and was ready to proceed with trial.
Counsel to the defendant, however, B.A. Omateno told the court that the case was quite tedious and that she might not be able to proceed with the cross-examination.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that the defence counsel’s submission was not strong enough to discontinue the proceedings.
Consequently, Turaki, led by the prosecution counsel, began his testimony, saying, “ I met him at the office, where we work. He is one of our employers. Sometime in mid- November, I was on Jiji.ng looking for a laptop for my cybersecurity studies, so I saw an advert of a job opening for a Customer Service representative role at a Company and the pay was 250k. I clicked on the ad and I was directed to a page with a WhatsApp number, which I was asked to message. I messaged the number and I was added to the group.
“On the group, we were given an address and time to come in for the interview. I went to the address at 7, Oyin Jolayemi in Victoria Island, Lagos for the interview. I was tested for my typing skills and not for my computer proficiency skills. The test was to beat a 30-word mark in one minute; and if that’s done, you are hired.
“I expected follow-up questions, but there was none. I was told to resume the next day and I was informed of the rules and regulations of the company. I was also told of the salary structure as well as accommodation and transportation arrangement. I went back home and packed my stuff to resume at work the next day. “
In his further testimony, he said: “On getting to work, I was given a script and some information needed as a guideline for my role in the company. My employers told me I had to memorise all that I was given as a guideline for my new role. For the next three days, I was made to study the script, which I will use to speak to clients.
“I was given a chat template; a set of instructions containing conversation between Genting International Company Ltd. and a client. The chat was basically befriending the client and gaining the client’s trust. A roadmap of how the chat will go and what to say.
“I was to present myself as a woman to gain the client’s trust. I was told not to deviate from the template and adhere strictly to it. After three days of training, they provided me with a desktop computer. We were given numbers to contact. We had a time duration of five days to gain the client’s trust, using the template provided. I started chatting with multiple people , mostly men from European countries. I spent about three weeks at the company. I had not gotten the company the number of clients required and I was pressured for it. We were given deadlines and threats of sacking without pay and there were fines. Because of this, I decided to leave the company and when I told my superiors that I wanted to resign, a memo was passed around that if you want to leave you have to give 15 days notice; otherwise, you will leave without getting a dime. “
He also told the court that the company provided them with a model, whose
job was to provide them with pictures and videos, so that if they needed to do video calls with the clients, it would be believable.
According to him , “The name of the model assigned to me is Amity Smith. The job of the model was to gain complete trust of the client. Once this has been done, and trust gained, my employers will send a message on the telegram group and tell us to hand off and they take over from us. We stop chatting with the client and move on to the next. Our supervisors are Chinese. I received payment for the duration of my stay, via a bank transfer.
“My employer had armed police presence in the work and accommodation premises. Based on the pressure from my employers, I didn’t think it was wise to flee given the high level of security presence at the premises and I wanted to get paid.
“I wanted to get medication at a time, but the Chinese people told the security men not to let us go.
“ When they saw that we were creating a scene, they told the security men to forcefully send us back. We were mostly youths of age 20 to 30. They threatened us and it contributed to my decision to leave. Unfortunately, the EFCC arrested us before I could do that.”
The case was adjourned till March 18, 2025 for continuation of trial.
2025.2.7 Medical Doctor Bags Seven Years Imprisonment for N127m Fraud in Calabar
A Federal High Court, sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, presided over by Justice Rosemary Oghogho-rie has convicted and sentenced Dr. Geraldine Orok Ita to prison for fraud.
Ita was prosecuted by the Uyo Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on a twelve-count charge, bordering on forgery and diversion of fund to the tune of N127, 686, 594, 87k (One Hundred and Twenty-seven Million, Six Hundred and Eighty-six Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety-four Naira, Eighty-seven Kobo).
One of the charges reads: “That you, Dr Geraldine Orok Ita ‘F’ on or about the 6th day of November, 2014, in Calabar, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did make a forged document to wit: FORM CAC 10 (ANNUAL RETURN FOR A SMALL COMPANY) IN RESPECT OF SHARPNET CONCEPT LIMITED DATED 06/1 1/2014, purported to have been signed by Mrs. Rose Orok Ita (a Director in Sharpnet Concept Limited), with the intent that the document may be acted upon as genuine and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (2) (C) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M 17 of the Revised Edition (Law of the Federation of Nigeria) and Punishable under Section 1 (2) (c) of the same Act.”
Another reads: “That you, Dr Geraldine Orok Ita ‘F’ on or about 14/02/2019, in Calabar, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did take possession of the sum of Forty- Five Million Naira (#45,000,000) through Bank Account No: 2027011283 domiciled in First Bank with Account Name: Rok Projects Limited, paid by the University of Calabar (UNICAL) for the project executed by ROK PROJECTS LIMITED/SHARPNET CONCEPT LIMITED, when you reasonably ought to know that the money was part of the proceeds of crime to wit: forgery and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (3) of the same Act.”
She pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, prompting her trial that commenced in 2019. In the course of the trial, prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin called witnesses and presented incontrovertible evidence.
Convinced that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, Justice Oghogho-rie convicted and sentenced Ita to seven years imprisonment.
Ita’s journey to Nigeria Correctional Centre commenced when the Commission received a petition in 2019 from Sharpnet Concept Limited and ROK Project Limited initiated by two of its directors alleging that Geraldine Orok Ita forged and fraudulently altered the documents of the companies in favour of herself by removing the two initial directors from the companies’ records and claiming to be the second wife of Engr. Orok Okonkon Ita who died in 2004. The petitioners further stated that besides carrying out the fraudulent alterations, the convict appointed a new company Secretary on November 6, 2014 and changed the registered address of the companies at No. 25, Uyo Street, off Market Road, Port Harcourt, River State and made re-allotments and return of allotments of shares.
Bauchi Police Command has arrested six suspects involved in electric installation vandalism and neutralised two bandits in separate operations across the state.
The Police operatives on night patrol arrested Hamza Mohammed (20) of Gwallameji and Mustapha Sa’idu (22) of Rafin Tambari on January 14, 2025, for allegedly breaking into a residence in Rafin Tambari, Bauchi, and stealing two vehicle tyres and two bags of cement worth N249,000.
Further investigations revealed that the duo, along with an accomplice, Aliyu Musa, had also vandalized aluminum electric conductors belonging to Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED).
The suspects were said to have confessed to selling the stolen items to one Al-Ameen Ibrahim in the IDC area of Bauchi.
Recovered exhibits include a bunch of aluminum electric conductors, one hacksaw, and one Jincheng motorcycle.
The suspects will be prosecuted in collaboration with JED’s Bauchi branch.
In a separate operation on February 4, 2025, officers from Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters, in collaboration with Special Hunters, launched a security raid in Gwana District and surrounding border areas with Taraba, Plateau, and Gombe States.
Acting on intelligence, security operatives tracked suspected bandits to Dajin Madan Forest, leading to a confrontation.
Spokesman of the Command, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil in a statement issued on Wednesday revealed that two bandits were neutralized, while others reportedly sustained injuries and fled into nearby bushes.
Recovered items include one AK-49 assault rifle and nine rounds of live ammunition.
The police spokesman reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating crime, urging residents to remain vigilant and security conscious.
The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has declared several men wanted for allegedly engaging in homosexuality.
Homosexuality, defined as attraction between individuals of the same sex, is illegal in Nigeria and punishable by up to 14 years of imprisonment.
According to a police statement, the individuals wanted are Azeez Olasunkanmi Fowosere, Abiola Paul Olusoji, Alebiosu Taye, and Oyedele Joseph Olalekan. The men were reportedly caught engaging in homosexual activities by members of the local community. They fled the scene, and members of the public have been urged to report any information regarding their whereabouts.
The statement read, “We have conducted a thorough investigation into this criminal act and found the allegations to be true. Unfortunately, during efforts to apprehend them, they managed to escape. We ask anyone with useful information about their location to contact the nearest police station, as previous attempts to arrest and prosecute them have been unsuccessful.”
2025.2.1 BREAKING: Nigerian Blogger Destiny, Granted Ridiculous N2Billion Bail For Alleged Cyberbullying, Seeks Bail Variation Over Ill Health
The Nigeria Police Force demanded that Ekhorutomwem provide four sureties with assets valued at N2 billion as part of his administrative bail.
Destiny Ekhorutomwen, a TikToker arrested and detained by the Nigerian police for cyberbullying and cyberstalking, has applied for bail variation.
Ekhorutomwem, 38, was arrested on January 8, 2025, in Benin City, Edo State, and transferred to Abuja on Friday, January 10, where he was given bail conditions that have been described by many people including lawyers as ridiculous and unreasonable.
The Nigeria Police Force demanded that Ekhorutomwem provide four sureties with assets valued at N2 billion as part of his administrative bail.
However, his lawyers – Chisom E. Ekwevi Esq., Dr S.M. Oyeghe Esq., Chukwumeka Franklin Amaechina Esq. – in a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police (Kayode Egbetokun) and dated January 14, 2025, sought variation of Ekhorutomwem’s bail.
The letter reads, “We have received the police administrative bail condition from our client on the 10th of January 2025. However, our client has been unable to meet up with its conditions.
“We therefore apply for variations of the conditions to the most liberal terms. The family members of this suspect are also willing to take him on bail.
“The continuous detention of Mr. Destiny will negatively impact his health as he is being managed for complicated Appendectomy (Appendix surgery) that lead to a Laparatomy overhaul of the abdominal content) and was just diagnosed with Nephrolithiasis (kidney stone), hence he is in dire need of medical attention.”
The legal team attached to the letter a copy of Ekhorutomwen’s medical record from Lily Hospitals, signed by the Consultant General Surgeon, Dr Eghonghon Raymond on January 14, 2025.
It contains details of the health conditions the TikToker had been battling with before his arrest and detention.
Dr Eghonghon said he came to the hospital on “25th Nov 2021 with abdominal pains which was colicky and intermitted, constipation and abdominal distension post appendectomy”.
The report further reads, “Plain abdominal X-ray showed dilated bowel loops. A diagnosis of intestinal obstruction due to post-operative adhesions was made.
“He had an EX-Lap with hemicolectomy and ileotransverse anastomosis. He was managed post operatively for 15days and was subsequently discharged. And has been coming for reviews by the general surgeon but was further referred to see the nephrologist after a scan showed that he has hydronephrosis.
“The last visit to general surgeon was 6th may 2022. A diagnosis of RT hydronephrosis secondary to Pureteral/renal calculus after abdomino-pelvic scan was done, he was then requested to do e/u/cr, serum calcium and uric acid, phosphorus and abdominal x-ray-KUB, patient did all investigation except abdominal x-ray.
“He then represented 23rd Oct 2024 with complain of recurrent right flanks pains for 2years duration and dyspepsia which he was managed accordingly. He revisited on the 30th Oct 2024 for lab result review and the uric acid was slightly elevated and E/U/Cr was essentially normal. He was managed on appropriate medications.”
“In view of the above clinical background kindly grant him the necessary assistance,” Dr Eghonghon adds.
Earlier on January 10, 2025, the police granted the TikToker unreasonable bail conditions.
A police document containing the administrative bail condition said: “That you are to produce two (2) sureties whom must be: Two Federal Government employees of not less than Grade level 16, who have landed properties in Abuja worth Five Hundred Million Naira (N500,000,000.00) each, who are also ready to produce letters of introduction from their organizations and make available copies of (a) Original documents of the said property (b) Letter of first appointment (c) Letter of last promotion (d) Office identity card and (e) the original documents for sighting.
“Two Businessmen who own (a) business entity registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (b) landed properties within FCT, Abuja worth Five Hundred Million Naira (N500,000,000.00) and (c) ready to make available copies of their CAC certificates, C of O of their landed properties and (d) the original documents for sighting.”
SaharaReporters earlier on Saturday reported that the TikToker was hospitalised after collapsing in police custody.
SaharaReporters learned that he went into a coma and was rushed to the National Hospital in Abuja.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters learned that the TikToker’s arrest was orchestrated by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi.
Earlier in January, the police said Ekhorutomwen was arrested for allegedly using social media platforms to spread false and inciting content intended to damage the reputation of the police and provoke public discontent.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi in a statement, the arrest was made by the National Cyber Crime Centre in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State.
“On 8 December 2024, operatives of the Force apprehended Destiny Ekhorutomuen, a 38-year-old suspect, in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State.
“The suspect allegedly created and operated multiple social media accounts to spread false and inciting content designed to provoke the public against the Nigeria Police,” Adejobi had said.
Reacting, Sowore, a long-time advocate for justice and former presidential candidate for African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 General Elections, condemned the arrest.
He asked Nigerians to end police impunity while calling for family members of the social media influencer to contact him.
“The @PoliceNG has held this TikToker for days, if not weeks, claiming he was spreading fake news; please, if you have his family contact, kindly let us know,” he said.
“We must end this impunity of @policeng subterranean suppression of free speech using illegal tactics and draconian laws. #RevolutionNow.”
2025.2.1 EFCC Arraigns 11 Chinese, One Filipino for Alleged Internet Fraud In Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, January 31, 2025, arraigned 11 Chinese, one Filipino and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The defendants are: Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xian Hong Will, Zhang Xiao Lei, Long Zhao Ming, Guo Xiao Fei, Yang Sheng, Wang Zheng Feng, Chen Wenyuan, Liu San Hua, Luo Jia You and Rheign Dela Vega.
They are members of the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 19, 2024 in Lagos during a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” by operatives of the EFCC.
The suspects were arraigned on separate charges bordering on alleged cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretence and identity theft, among others.
One of the counts reads: “That you, LI YIN HUI and GENTING INTERNATIONAL CO. LIMITED, on or about the 18th of December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, willfully caused to be accessed computer systems organised to seriously destabilise the constitutional structure of Nigeria (which prohibits and prevents cyber and related crimes) when you procured/employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain financial advantage for yourselves and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”
Another count reads: “That you, LUO JIA YOU (AKA A. YOU) sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully gave false information to officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the course of investigation when you were being questioned for being part of a criminal syndicate group, specialized in Romance scam, crypto currency fraud, cyber terrorism amongst others; and in order to mislead them, you falsely represented your name as A. YOU and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 39(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 39(2) (b) of the same Act.”
Another charge reads: “That you, LONG SHAO MING A.K.A LING YANG, sometime in December 2024 in Lagos , within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession documents containing false pretence, wherein you held yourself out as ‘Linda Maureen’, a citizen of the United States of America, which document you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and punishable under 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other fraud related Offences Act, 2006. “
They each pleaded “not guilty” to the offences when they were read to them.
In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, L.P. Aso, M. K.Bashir, T. J. Banjo, N. K. Ukoha and B. Buhari-Bala, prayed the court for trial dates and for the defendants to be remanded in the appropriate Correctional facilities.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter till 7, 14 and 21 February, 2025 for trial and remanded the defendants at the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres.
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