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
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.