Crime
Court Jails Two In Onitsha Over N39.5m Fraud
Justice Victoria Nwoye of the Anambra State High Court, sitting in Onitsha has convicted and sentenced the duo of Ikechukwu Obiekwe and Ugo Chukwudi to prison for fraud.
They were prosecuted by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 10-count charges bordering on conspiracy, fraudulent conversion, stealing and retention of proceeds of crime to the tune of N39,528,530 (Thirty-nine million, Five Hundred and Twenty-eight Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty Naira).
Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Ikechukwu Obiekwe, between 2016 to 2018 in Onitsha within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to permanently deprive the owner of his money, fraudulently converted to your own use, the sum of N18,145,530.00 (Eighteen Million, One Hundred and Forty-five thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty Naira) being money belonging to Rainbow Hair International Company Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 342 of CAP 30, Criminal Code Law of Anambra State and punishable under Section 353 (6) of the same Law”
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Count three reads: “That you, Ugo Chukwudi between 2016 to 2018 in Onitsha within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court transferred the sum of N5,399,000 (Five Million, Three Hundred and Ninety-nine Thousand Naira) to account number 0012766443 domiciled in Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc belonging to Emma Ogonna Obiekwe, a nominee of one Ikechukwu Obiekwe when you know or reasonably ought to know that the said money was stolen by the said Ikechukwu Obiekwe and therefore formed part of proceed of crime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17 (A) of the EFCC Act 2004 and punishable under Section 17 (B) of the same Act.”
In the course of the trial, prosecution counsel, Mainforce Adaka Ekwu presented six witnesses and tendered several documents in evidence.
Justice Nwoye in her judgment on July 9, 2024, held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced both men to one year imprisonment each without an option of fine. In addition, he ordered that the sum of N39,528,530 (Thirty-nine million, Five Hundred and Twenty-eight Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty Naira), being the proceeds of their crime be forfeited by the convicts to their victim.
The convicts’ journey to jail began on May 19, 2019 when the victim through a petition to the Commission alleged that Obiekwe, who was his apprentice, diverted the sum of N39,528,530 (Thirty-nine million, Five Hundred and Twenty-eight Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty Naira) from the company’s sales account and when confronted he denied and absconded. Upon investigation by the Commission, it was discovered that Obiekwe used Chukwudi to divert the said sum to different accounts.
The convicts were arraigned in December 2019.
Crime
Policeman Feared Dead As Gunmen Attack Checkpoint In Abia
A police officer is reportedly dead and another injured following an attack by unknown gunmen on a police checkpoint in the Ohafia area of Abia State.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday at Ugwu Abba Asaga, has sparked concerns over the rising wave of insecurity in the region.
The Abia State Police Command has yet to release an official statement regarding the attack. However, when contacted, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, assured reporters that she would provide updates, but no further details had been shared as of the time of this report.
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This incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks in Abia State. On Monday, the Abia State government accused unnamed politicians and external parties of fueling kidnappings and violence targeting security personnel and civilians since May 2024. In a statement signed by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, the government vowed to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“The promoters of violence and insecurity in the state will pay a heavy price,” the statement read.
However, John Okiyi Kalu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, criticized the government’s position. He argued that insecurity in the state should not be politicized but rather addressed through actionable measures.
The attack has heightened tensions in the state, with citizens calling for swift action to restore peace and ensure the safety of residents and security personnel alike.
Crime
Ebonyi Police Crackdown Leaves Labourer Dead, Three Others Injured
A yet-to-be-identified labourer was reportedly shot dead on Wednesday, while three others sustained critical injuries, during an altercation involving the Crack Squad of the Ebonyi State Police Command at Ugwuechara Junction in Abakaliki.
Witnesses say the incident began when members of the Crack Squad stopped a motorcycle rider, accusing him of fraud and attempting to seize his motorcycle.
The rider reportedly identified himself as a member of the military but was allegedly assaulted by the operatives.
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An eyewitness recounted, “As the policemen removed his cap and started hitting him with their guns, the bike man tried to resist them, possibly to snatch one of their guns.
“One of the team opened fire, which killed one of the labour seekers, who usually gather at the junction to look for daily jobs. Three persons were wounded and were rushed to the hospital.”
The deceased, a labourer waiting for work at the junction, was struck by the gunfire. Among the injured are a young apprentice at a barbershop and a female passer-by.
Witnesses say the police operatives took the body of the deceased and the motorcycle rider to their station after the incident.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi, Joshua Ukandu, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.
However, Obinna Mbam, the Special Assistant on Internal Security to Governor Francis Nwifuru, confirmed the incident.
“Normalcy has returned to the area,” Mr. Mbam said. “The state government will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The incident has sparked outrage among residents of Ebonyi State, who have raised concerns about the increasing cases of police brutality, extortion, and indiscriminate arrests.
Many residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the Crack Squad, which was established as part of police reforms following the disbandment of the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in 2020.
Crime
IGP Files Fraud Charges Against Ex-Senator, Two Others Over N400m Scam
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed criminal charges against former Nigerian senator Andy Uba and two others, accusing them of defrauding a complainant, George Uboh, of N400 million.
The charges, which include two counts, were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Uba, who represented Anambra South in the Senate from 2011 to 2019, along with Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu, is alleged to have conspired with Hajiya Fatima, who remains at large, to defraud Uboh in 2022.
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According to the charges, the accused individuals falsely claimed they could secure the appointment of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for anyone who could pay N400 million.
“The accused persons collected the N400 million from Mr. Uboh and converted it into their personal use,” the police said, describing the actions as a violation of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act of 2006.
The police also revealed that six witnesses would testify against the accused parties.
The case was officially filed on 10 October 2023 by Abdulrashid Sidi from the Police Legal/Prosecution Section.
During a hearing on 13 November, the prosecution informed the court that the defendants had been evading the service of court documents despite being granted administrative bail.
“The defendants obtained a fundamental rights enforcement order, which had prevented the police from bringing them to court,” said M.L. Anthony, a lawyer for the prosecution.
“It was only after the order was lifted that the defendants were finally charged before the judge.”
The trial, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was adjourned until 18 February 2025.
This delay allows time for the defendants to appear in court and take their plea, following the prosecution’s efforts to ensure they are properly served with legal documents.