Crime
Two Ondo Ex-Deputy Gov Aides Arraigned For Theft
Two aides of the former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, have appeared before a Chief Magistrate’s Court, facing charges of theft and obtaining money under false pretenses.
Samuel Ogunmusi and Olatunji Akintoye are alleged to have acquired a vehicle from an autoshop through deceptive means.
The Police Prosecutor, Emmanuel Tanimowo, brought Ogunmusi, 52, and Akintoye, 44, before the Chief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, situated at Ondo Road, Akure.
They were slammed with a three-count charge which read: “That you Akintoye Olatunji ‘m’, Ogunmusi Samuel ‘m’ and others now at large sometime in May 2018 at Automart Akure in the Akure Magisterial district did conspire with yourselves to commit felony to wit: Obtaining property by false pretense and Stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the criminal code cap 37 vol. I, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.
“That you Akintoye Olatunji ‘m’, Ogunmusi Samuel ‘m’, and others now at large sometime in May 2018 at Automart Akure in the Akure Magisterial district did by false pretence and with intent to defraud obtains one brand new Black Toyota Camry XLE valued Five Million, four hundred thousand Naira (5,400.000) only property of one Segun Adetuwo ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (1) (a) (c) and punishable under section 1 (3) of the advance fee fraud and other fraud-related offences Act, laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2006.
“That you Akintoye Olatunji ‘m’, Ogunmusi Samuel ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial district did fraudulently convert one Toyota Camry XLE valued Five Million, four hundred thousand Naira (N5,400.000) property of one Segun Adetuwo ‘m’ to your uses and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 383 and punishable under section 390 (9) of the criminal code cap 37 vol. I laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.”
Mr. Adetunji Oso, the Counsel for the accused, argued that the matter before the court wasn’t a criminal case but a civil suit, suggesting it should be taken to the High Court for proper adjudication instead of the Magistrate’s Court.
Oso requested an adjournment to explore the possibility of a settlement outside of court, emphasizing that as the vehicle wasn’t forcibly taken, it qualifies as a civil case.
However, Mr. Alex Olademehin, the Counsel for the complainant, argued that the court should proceed with the hearing, asserting that the case of stealing and obtaining goods under false pretenses before the court was not a civil matter but a criminal one.
The Chief Magistrate, Taiwo Lebi, set November 24 as the next hearing date for either a settlement update or the initiation of the case by the Police. Additionally, the Chief Magistrate granted bail to the suspects until the adjourned date.
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has issued a public summons for former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, requiring him to appear in court on October 24.
This summons follows the filing of a 16-count charge of alleged fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC has accused Bello, alongside two others—Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu—of criminal breach of trust involving a staggering sum of N110.4 billion.
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The public summons was issued by Justice Maryanne Anenih on Thursday, after the EFCC reported difficulties in serving Bello with the charges.
Bello’s absence led to the postponement of his arraignment, which was originally scheduled for Thursday.
This latest development follows prior efforts to compel Bello to attend court, including a May ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite that mandated his physical presence, as well as a recent order from the Court of Appeal.
Darius Ishaku, the former governor of Taraba State, has been granted bail of N150 million by a high court in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ishaku appeared in court on Monday alongside Bello Yero, the former permanent secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, facing serious allegations including criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds.
The two defendants pleaded “not guilty” to a total of 15 charges during their arraignment.
In a court session on Thursday, their legal teams presented bail applications, which were not opposed by the prosecution.
Rotimi Jacobs, representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stated that he had no objection since the defendants had previously been granted administrative bail.
Judge Sylvanus Oriji approved the bail, requiring each defendant to provide two sureties in the same amount as the bail.
The sureties must be responsible citizens residing in the FCT, with verifiable office and residential addresses.
Additionally, at least one surety for each defendant must hold a director-level position in the civil service.
The court imposed restrictions on both men, preventing them from traveling outside the country without prior approval and mandating that they deposit their travel documents with the court.
Ishaku, 70, who governed Taraba from 2015 to 2023, was previously invited by the EFCC in July 2023 regarding financial transactions during his tenure, resulting in his initial release on bail.
However, both Ishaku and Yero were arrested and detained by the EFCC on September 27, 2024.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 33 individuals suspected of involvement in internet fraud during a recent operation in Port Harcourt.
The agency announced the arrests via its X account (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
The suspects were apprehended in a sting operation in the Iwofe and Ogboro areas of the city, following credible intelligence regarding their alleged criminal activities.
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Along with the arrests, the EFCC seized a range of items, including several mobile phones, laptops, and boxes containing counterfeit United States dollars.
The operation also revealed fake stamps from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Customs, airport clearance, DHL, and FedEx, as well as two vehicles.
The suspects are currently in custody and will face charges in court upon the completion of ongoing investigations.
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