Crime
Ekiti Herbalist Bags 5-Year-Sentence Over Fraud
Nurudeen Ibrahim, a 58-year-old herbalist from Ekiti, has been sentenced to five years in prison with hard labour after being found guilty of defrauding a businesswoman of N8 million.
Ibrahim faced charges of conspiracy, fraud, and indecent assault when arraigned before the Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court on August 2, 2022.
The prosecutor, Insp Elijah Adejare, presented that Ibrahim and accomplices, still at large, committed these offenses in September 2019 in Aramoko-Ekiti.
The prosecutor stated that the convict, along with others who remain unidentified, conspired to commit a felony by deceitfully acquiring N10.4 million from the complainant.
Additionally, they allegedly subjected the complainant to indecent assault.
The prosecutor cited that these actions violated Sections 516, 419, and 353 of the Criminal Code Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2012.
The complainant in her testimony before the court, said that she was a businesswoman, based in Lagos, but in September 2019, when her business suffered some setbacks, her father invited her home to Aramoko-Ekiti, and introduced her to the herbalist “for assistance.”
She said “Thereafter, I discovered he had used charm on me; he was collecting my money, on the pretext of finding solutions to my problems.
“He sexually assaulted me and slept with me severally. I sold my cars and house among others for the sum of N10.4 million, which he collected from me.
“He also collected some of my personal belongings and gave them to his wife. I bought a car for him from the proceeds of my sold properties, with evidence.
“When I became seriously sick, I begged him to please give me part of the money to take care of myself, but he refused and instead threatened my life if I informed anyone of what had transpired between us.”
In support of his case, Adejare presented seven witnesses and submitted various pieces of evidence as exhibits, including statements from the complainant, her photos while on a sickbed, assorted charms and fetish objects, a Toyota Camry car, and the defendant’s statement.
During the trial, the convict presented his defense and refuted some of the allegations when questioned by his counsel, Mr. Busuyi Ayorinde.
In contrast, he acknowledged acquiring N8 million from the businesswoman but summoned a single witness to testify on his behalf.
Delivering judgment, the Magistrate, Mr Olatomiwa Daramola said: “I find the defendant not guilty of offence of conspiracy, he is discharged and acquitted.
“However, he is found guilty of the offence of obtaining by false pretences to wit fraud and convicted accordingly.
“He is hereby sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour, or an option of restitution of the sum of N8 million, being the amount the convict admitted having obtained from the victim, which the court has found to be under false pretence, in lieu of imprisonment.
“On the Toyota Camry Car, which was found to be proceed of crime, the court is empowered by Section 296 (b) of the Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2014, to order that it be applied as part of the sum of N8 million, due to the complainant, and I so hold,” Daramola added
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in 13% derivation funds intended for Delta State during his tenure.
Okowa, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, was detained after he voluntarily appeared at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt Directorate on Monday in response to an official summons.
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According to an EFCC source, Okowa is accused of failing to account for the N1.3 trillion derived from the federation account, as well as an additional N40 billion he allegedly invested in shares of UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
The investigation suggests that Okowa acquired an 8% stake in a major Nigerian bank to support the offshore LNG venture, with funds purportedly misallocated from state resources.
Beyond the LNG shares, investigators are probing whether Okowa redirected state funds to acquire high-value properties in Abuja and Asaba.
Okowa is currently held at an EFCC facility in Port Harcourt as the inquiry continues.
The high-profile arrest comes as Okowa, who was the vice-presidential running mate to Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, faces scrutiny over his financial conduct in office.
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.
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.
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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.
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