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BREAKING: Court Sends 24 Internet Fraudsters To Jail In Benin City

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,

 

The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has secured the conviction and sentence of 24 internet fraudsters to various jail terms by Justice G. O. Imadegbelo of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.

The convicts are: Azubuike Godwin, Ejike Prince, Ebeli Onyeishi Precious, Uboh Nelson, Henry Frank Aizeyosagbov, Jeremiah Osazuwa Bright, Aigbovibosa Osarumwense, Destiny Osagie Monday, Kindrick Ugochukwu, Daniel Kenedy Evun, Orobosa Elvis Nosakhare, Eleadi Nice Chibueze, Edidiong Ndifreke, Stephen Holiness, Iyamu Edosa David, Nosakhare Aigbovibosa.

Others are Raymond Clinton Osariemen, Uhumona Destiny Osayomwenbor, Amos Godwin, Odion Victor, Ayomide Michael, Elijah Akpan Effiong, Tive David Enaike and Ofuma Uche Bright.

ALSO READ: EFCC Arrests 11 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Uyo

They were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission at different days in the month of July on separate one-count charges bordering on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence and possession of fraudulent documents.

The charge against Osarumwense reads: “That you Aigbovibosa Osarumwense (M) on or about the 25th of Day of June, 2024 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contain false pretence thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

All the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them in court, prompting the prosecution counsel, F. A. Jirbo, I. M Elodi, I.K Agwai, K.Y. Bello and Ahmed Salihu and Bala Ribah to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as they have become remorseful for their actions.

Justice Imadegbelo on Tuesday July 2, 2024 convicted and sentenced Godwin, Prince, Precious and Nelson to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) each.

On July 10, 2024, he convicted and sentenced Aizeyosabor, Bright, Osarumwense, Monday, Nosakhare, Chibueze, Holiness to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 while the trio of Ugochukwu, Evun and Ndifreke bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each.

Justice Imadegbelo on Thursday July 11 convicted and sentenced David to two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 while Aigbovibosa bagged five years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000.

On Wednesday July 17, Justice Imadegbelo convicted and sentenced the duo of Osariemen and Destiny to two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each. On Wednesday July 24, 2024, he convicted and sentenced Godwin, Victor, Michael, Effiong and Bright to community service while Enaike bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira)each.

The judge ordered the forfeiture of two Mercedes Benz GLK350 recovered from Osarumwense and Ugochukwu being proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

All the convicts forfeited their phones, laptops, balances in their various bank accounts being instruments and proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria. They are also to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour afterwards

The convicts’ road to the Correctional Centre began following their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission based on actionable intelligence regarding their involvement in computer related fraud.

Crime

Troops Neutralise 13 IPOB Members, Apprehend 3 Kidnappers

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Insecurity: We’re Gaining Upper Hand in Plateau State – Military

 

The quest for peace in the southeast of Nigeria has seen troops of the Joint Task Force South-East, “Operation UDO KA,” take out 13 armed members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and arrest three kidnappers.

The task force Spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, revealed this in a statement in Enugu, on Monday.

According to him, the feat was in furtherance of the troops’ clearance operations to make the southeast safe and peaceful throughout the festive season.

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Lt. Col. Unuakhalu said that the Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Hassan Dada, had called on all well-meaning citizens to continue to support the joint task force.

He opined that citizens of the southeast can do this by providing timely, reliable, and credible information.

In his words, “Remember, security is everybody’s business. It is not in the hands of security agencies alone.

“When you see something, say something by calling the JTF Operation UDO KA’s toll-free line -193 and press Option 2 — to speak directly to Headquarters Operation UDO KA.”

Offering more details, Lt. Col. Unuakhalu said that troops of Sector 1 of the task force on December 21, conducted an ambush operation along Amouka-Umouka Road in 9th Mile, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, to deny kidnappers freedom of action.

In the course of the operation, he asserted, troops came into contact with the kidnappers, and in a firefight ensued, and the troops neutralised one while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

“Items recovered at the scene were: one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 17 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition; two cell phones; one power bank; three ATM cards; one wristwatch; a bunch of keys; and the sum of N8,900,” he said.

He added that on December 16, troops of Sector 5 conducted a clearance operation within Mbosi and Isseke general areas in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra, where three IPOB members were neutralised.

“Items recovered included: one AK-47 rifle, two loaded AK-47 magazines, and three Dane guns, while a house belonging to one of the irredentist commanders and a shrine used for their fortification were destroyed.

“The gallant troops had earlier recovered five water gel Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and two batteries used for detonating the IEDs while on routine patrol along roads within Ihiala-Orlu, Lilu, Agba Lilu, and Orsumoghu general areas in Anambra State,” he added.

In a related development, he explained that on December 14, troops acting on credible and reliable information from members of the public arrested three suspected kidnappers at Itungwa in the Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia.

He said that on receiving the information about the movement of the suspected kidnappers, troops quickly mounted a snap checkpoint to apprehend the suspects.

“The suspects operating in a stolen tricycle on sighting the troops attempted to make a U-turn but were apprehended.

“Items recovered included: one AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle, one locally-made single-barrel pistol, 10 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 34 rounds of 5.5mm ammunition, two AK-47 rifle magazines, two G3 rifle magazines, and one live cartridge.

“Other items recovered were: one mobile phone, the sum of N6,600, and two Knapsack bags used for concealing the weapons,” he said.

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#EndBadGovernance Protests: NPF Shreds Amnesty’s Report, To Demand Retraction, Apology

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Stop Tagging Us To Iwo Ritual Killings, Investigate To Nab Culprits – Group Tells Police

 

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has urged the public to disregard the Amnesty International’s (AI) report on the #EndBadGovernance protests, which it described as false, misleading and calculated to tarnish its image.

The NPF has demanded an apology from the AI for its report dated November 28, 2024.

Biztellers reports that in the report, the AI accused the NPF of extrajudicial killings during the #EndBadGovernance protests, and that at least 24 lives were lost in six northern states.

The report, now being refuted by the NPF was titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests”.

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The NPF maintained that its findings were at variance with the AI’s allegations.

The NPF’s position was made public on Sunday by its Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi during a media briefing in Abuja.

Adejobi asserted that a special investigative panel had been constituted to verify the claims.

He highlighted that the Police’s panel, in collaboration with commissioners of police from the affected states, conducted extensive investigations and compiled a comprehensive report which pointed out inaccuracies in the AI’s allegations.

In his words, “Amnesty International is advised to reflect on its frequent false reporting on Nigeria’s law enforcement activities and ensure its reports are accurate and contain a true and fair representation of events affecting national security and public safety.

“Accurate reporting of facts is essential to the integrity of any international organisation, and Amnesty International should not be an exception.”

Adejobi added that the Police would write to demand a retraction of the report as well as a public apology for the alleged inaccuracies.

“The Nigeria Police Force will, in due course, write to Amnesty International to demand the retraction of this report from the public domain along with a public apology. The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in protecting the rights of all citizens while ensuring the security and stability of the nation.

“We, therefore, urge the public to be wary of sensational reports designed to incite mistrust and weaken confidence in law enforcement institutions,” Adejobi said.

On the Police’s findings in Borno, Adejobi maintained that the Police didn’t use grenades as claimed by the organisation.

He said, “In Borno State, it was established that the protesters were violent, engaging in widespread looting, pillaging, and wanton destruction of public and private property.

“For example, the Skill Acquisition Centre of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees was looted and vandalised.

“The warehouse of the World Food Programme, located on Baga/Maimalari Barracks Road, Maiduguri, was also looted, with several items belonging to the international organisation destroyed and stolen by some of the protesters.

“Therefore, the claims by Amnesty International that the police threw a hand grenade from a convoy of vehicles into a filling station killing three persons is a blatant falsehood and leaves right-thinking members of society dismayed at this reported falsehood by an international agency that ought to act in accordance with international norms and standards of fair and honest reporting of human rights violations in the country.”

On Niger State, Adejobi said the claim that three individuals were shot dead in Suleja was debunked in the police findings.

Adejobi said the alleged killing of a 21-year-old in Katsina was also found to be unsubstantiated, adding that local sources confirmed that no such incident occurred.

In the same vein, on Kaduna State, Adejobi asserted that contrary to the AI’s report, no protests occurred in Kaduna on October 1, 2024, and no police killings were recorded.

He said instead, an incident involving the Nigerian Army (NA) was identified and openly investigated.

According to Adejobi, the AI reported the deaths of two women and a man during protests in Jigawa, but the Police’s investigations revealed no such killings, and evidence suggested that the lone fatality was caused by protester violence, not Police action.

On Kano State, Adejobi said the report alleged 12 deaths in Kano due to police actions, stating that investigations indicated that these deaths resulted from violent confrontations involving looters and criminals, not the Police’s activity.

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Man Arrested After Attempting To Divert Mexico Flight To U.S

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Authorities in Mexico arrested a 31-year-old man on Sunday after he attempted to redirect a domestic flight to the United States, forcing an emergency landing in Guadalajara.

The Volaris Airbus A320 had departed from León, Guanajuato, at 7:17 a.m. local time and was bound for Tijuana.

However, about 45 minutes into the journey, the flight was diverted after the man tried to gain access to the cockpit.

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According to the Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection, the man “assaulted a flight attendant and attempted to enter the cockpit to divert the flight to the United States.”

The crew, who managed to subdue the suspect, issued an alert to make an emergency landing at Guadalajara International Airport.

The man, reportedly traveling with family, was taken into custody upon landing.

In a statement, Volaris said the suspect claimed to have been acting under duress.

“The aggressor told them a close relative had been kidnapped and, upon taking off from León, was threatened to be killed if he went to Tijuana,” the airline said.

Authorities have not disclosed how many passengers were on board.

The flight resumed its journey to Tijuana after the incident, arriving without further complications.

 

 

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