Crime
EFCC Secures Conviction For 39 Internet Fraudsters
The Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentence of 39 internet fraudsters from Justices O.S. Adeyemi, Bayo Taiwo and Ladiran Akintola, all of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan.
They were prosecuted on a separate one-count charge each, bordering on impersonation, cheating, possession of fraudulent documents and obtaining by false pretence.
ALSO READ:EFCC Arrests 48 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Umudike
The convicts are: Fasanya Abdulqudus Gbolahan, Nkiri Oluchukwu Destiny, Fakoya Tobi Samuel, Owolabi Qudus Damilare, Isiaka Olajide Adebayo, Olawoyin Wasiu Olasunkanmi, Olawale Owolabi Abideen, Olayiwola Tunde Waheed, Kehinde Pelumi Abdulrauf, Okunlola Taoreed Abidoun, Okunlola Dolapo Mujeeb, Ademeso Raphael Olamide, Lawal Olajuwon Ridwan, Femi Dogo Oluremi, Ehinmowo Jeremiah Damilola, Joseph Isaac Justice, Enitan Tolulope John, Kolawole Toluwani Josaiah, Alo Ayokunnumi Emmanuel, Adetola Opeyemi Idris and Joshua Imole Shiyanbola.
Others are: Idowu Ezekiel David, Salau Abeeb Ayomide, Adeyemi Samuel Adeleke, Philip Olabode Olatunde, Fasanya Gbenga Tunde, Seun Ayomide Babatunde, Ogoayo Alabi Sijuola, Akanji Timothy Bidoun, Quadri Salami Oyindamola, Samuel Adeyemi Oluwatobi, Ogunyemi Gbolahan Opemiposi, Olabanjo Oluwafemi Olatunbosun, Paul Nneji Uche, Ayomiposi Clement Akinyimika, Abdullahi Mustapha Adisa, Ajetunmobi Azeez Olashile, Oluwaseun Adeyeye Adeniran and Onah Austine Ayomide.
The charge against Austine Ayomide reads: “That you, Onah Austine Ayomide ‘M’ on or about 28th March, 2024, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated by representing yourself to be a white woman by the name Linda Mary from United States of America, through your Facebook account (Linda Mary) to one Clifton Deininger, from United States of America, with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence of personation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”
They all pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to them, following which prosecution counsel reviewed the facts of the cases, tendered incriminating documents and prayed the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Adeyemi convicted and sentenced Austin Ayomide to one-year of community service or to pay a fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira), Tunde got a one-month jail term or to pay a fine of N250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), while Abeeb Ayomide, Adeleke, Babatunde, Biodun, Oyindamola, Oluwatobi, Olatunbosun, Uche, Akinyimika, Adisa, Olashile and Adeniran bagged six months community service each and to pay N50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) each in addition to their sentence, besides Abeeb Ayomide who was slammed with N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) in addition to his sentence. He slammed Sijuola with one month of community service or to pay a fine of N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira). Olatunde and Opemiposi were handed three months of community service without an option of fine.
Justice Taiwo on his part convicted and sentenced Taoreed Abidoun to three months imprisonment, and Mujeeb to four months jail term, while Olasunkanmi and Abideen bagged six months community service each and were further ordered to pay a fine of N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) each in addition their sentences.
He convicted and sentenced Gbolahan, Damilare, Adebayo and Abdulrauf to five months community service each and gave the latter a fine option of N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira). Waheed and Samuel got four months of community service, and a fine of N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira), while Destiny bagged two months community service.
Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Olamide, Oluremi, Damilola, Justice, Josaiah, Emmanuel and Shiyanbola bagged one-year jail term each or to pay a fine of N30,000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira), N50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira), N75,000.00 (Seventy-five Thousand Naira), N75,000.00 (Seventy-five Thousand Naira), N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira), N120,000.00 (One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) and N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) respectively.
Damilola forfeited a green-colouredNissan Micra car with registration number: LSD–464–GU with Chassis Number: SJNFBAK11U3001751; Emmanuel forfeited a black-coloured Lexus IS 250 car with registration number: MUS–158–JHS and Justice forfeited a black-coloured Toyota Corolla car with registration number: FST–607–GN.
Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Idris and David to six months community service each or to pay fines of N60,000.00 (Sixty Thousand Naira) and N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) respectively. Ridwan and John bagged three months community service each or to pay fines of N25,000.00 (Twenty-five Thousand Naira) and N30,000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira) respectively.
The convicts forfeited all items recovered from them to the Federal Government.
All the convicts began their journey to prison when they were arrested in a sting operation for fraudulent internet activities.
Crime
Court Orders Arrest Of Dana Air CEO In N1.3bn Fraud Case
Amid repeated absences from court, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for Hathiramani Ranesh, Managing Director of Dana Air, who faces charges of fraud and conspiracy tied to alleged misappropriations totaling N1.3 billion.
The ruling, handed down Monday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, calls for Ranesh’s immediate arrest following his failure to respond to multiple court summonses.
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Justice Egwuatu cited Section 184 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), empowering the court to issue an arrest warrant against defendants who evade appearance.
“The defendant is legally obligated to appear, and the court is authorized to issue a warrant for arrest if he does not,” Justice Egwuatu said, setting January 13, 2025, as the next court date, adding that no objections will be considered unless Ranesh is present.
Ranesh and two Dana Group subsidiaries—Dana Group PLC and Dana Steel Ltd—face serious allegations from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Prosecutors claim that between 2014 and 2018, Ranesh and his companies engaged in fraudulent activities, including the unauthorized sale of industrial generators valued at N450 million, which had been pledged as collateral in a debenture agreement.
Additional charges allege the misappropriation of N864 million from bond funds meant for operations at the Dana Steel Rolling Factory in Katsina, and a N60.3 million transfer to an external account without authorization.
The charges, filed by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Moshood Adeyemi, cite violations under the Criminal Code Act.
In court, government lawyer Mojisola Okeya-Esho argued for the arrest warrant, stating that Ranesh had disregarded court orders to appear for arraignment.
Defense counsel B. Ademola-Bello challenged the prosecution, contending that jurisdictional issues must be addressed before proceeding with the case.
Justice Egwuatu dismissed these objections, underscoring that Ranesh’s presence in court is required before other arguments can be entertained.
The matter is now adjourned until January 13, 2025, with the warrant remaining active until the defendant is brought to court.
Crime
Gunmen Attack Police Facility In Owerrinta, Female Detainee Killed
In a shocking act of violence, armed assailants targeted the Police Rapid Response Squad facility in Owerrinta early Monday morning, resulting in the tragic death of a female detainee.
The attack occurred shortly after midnight along the Umuahia-Aba Federal Expressway.
READ MORE: Edo Deputy Gov, Omobayo Ordered To Court Over Refusal To Vacate Office
State Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa confirmed the incident, revealing that the gunmen arrived in three Hilux vehicles and opened fire on the police facility.
“Our personnel successfully repelled the attack,” Isa stated.
However, the attackers resorted to using dynamite, causing significant damage to the building and exposing the detainees inside.
During the chaos, the gunmen attempted to free detainees, leading to the fatal shooting of the female suspect.
Unconfirmed reports suggest she was in custody related to a child trafficking case.
In the aftermath of the attack, police swiftly initiated a manhunt for the perpetrators, employing advanced technical methods to track their movements.
Commissioner Isa announced the arrest of one suspect, who is currently undergoing interrogation to uncover the identities of additional accomplices.
“We are making significant progress in our investigation,” he affirmed.
Authorities are calling on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities as the investigation continues.
Crime
Bobrisky Flees Nigeria Amid Legal Turmoil
Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, a controversial figure in Nigeria’s social media landscape, has reportedly departed the country just days after being released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
While the destination of his flight remains undisclosed, Bobrisky took to Instagram on Monday morning to boast about his lavish travel arrangements, sharing videos that highlighted his purchase of a first-class ticket, claiming, “This girl bought a first-class ticket three times; that’s over 30 million naira. Raise the bar for this girl.”
READ ALSO: Bobrisky Granted Bail After Denying N15m Bribe Voicenote Claim
In his posts, he humorously commented on the disfigurement of his passport photo, saying, “That passport disfigured my picture,” showcasing his characteristic flamboyance.
Bobrisky’s sudden exit from Nigeria follows a turbulent week marked by a series of dramatic events.
Reports indicate that on Thursday night, he was removed from a KLM flight bound for Amsterdam while trying to travel to London.
He alleged that he sustained injuries during the altercation at Murtala Muhammed International Airport and later recounted the incident to his followers on social media.
Following this disruption, Bobrisky was taken to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where he faced questioning over allegations that he attempted to bribe officials with 15 million naira to dismiss money laundering charges against him.
He was released on bail on Saturday after denying the bribery claims during his interrogation.
Bobrisky’s legal troubles began earlier this year when he was sentenced to six months in prison for naira abuse.
Initially held at Kirikiri Prison, reports later emerged that he spent only three weeks in confinement before being discreetly relocated to a private location.
The controversy surrounding Bobrisky intensified in September, when social media influencer Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, leaked an audio recording allegedly featuring Bobrisky discussing the bribery of EFCC officials to drop the charges against him.