Crime
Woodberry Sentenced To 8 years Imprisonment, Others
A federal judge in the United States has handed down a sentence of eight years and three months in prison to Jacob Olalekan Ponle, also known as Mr. Woodberry, for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme worth millions of dollars.
The sentencing took place on July 11 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago, as revealed in court documents obtained by Peoples Gazette.
According to Judge Robert Gettleman, “The defendant is hereby ordered to serve a total term of 100 months in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons for the specified count.”
Mr. Ponle was convicted on one count of fraud, while seven additional counts were dropped as part of a plea bargain made in April, which had been previously reported by The Gazette.
Upon sentencing, Judge Gettleman directed Mr. Ponle to present himself to the U.S. Marshal Service for transportation to the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut.
In Danbury, he will have the opportunity to receive visits from his family members, particularly his American fiancée.
Furthermore, the judge specified that following his imprisonment, Mr. Ponle would be transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for immediate deportation.
As part of the restitution process, Mr. Ponle will be required to compensate seven victims approximately $8 million. The court determined that he possesses the means to fulfill the full payment, but he has waived any interest on the restitution amount.
Previously, American prosecutors had requested on June 29 that Mr. Woodberry be sentenced to 14 years in prison for his involvement in the fraudulent activities that occurred between January and September 2019.
In addition, the prosecutors had requested court authorization to sell Jacob Olalekan Ponle’s 152 bitcoins, but with the condition that a public notice be issued for a period of 30 days.
This notice would allow anyone with a legitimate interest in the assets to come forward and file their claims. However, as of the time of Mr. Woodberry’s sentencing, no individuals with valid claims had emerged.
Furthermore, the prosecutors recommended that Mr. Woodberry, who was known for showcasing his extravagant lifestyle on social media, surrender certain items currently held by the Dubai police.
These items include a Rolls Royce, Lamborghini Urus, Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG G55, four Rolex watches, one Patek Philippe watch, and three Audemars Piguet watches.
Additionally, Mr. Woodberry will be required to forfeit three rings adorned with gold and diamonds, five gold bracelets and two gold bracelet keys, six gold neck chains, one necklace embellished with gold and diamonds, a small gold nugget, two bank cards, approximately $1,835 in Emirati dirhams, and roughly $15.45 in South African rands.
It is worth noting that Mr. Woodberry was apprehended on June 10, 2020, along with Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas, who was previously sentenced to 11 years in prison in the United States for his involvement in internet fraud, towards the end of last year.
Crime
Edo Police Probe Officer Seen Firing Rifle During Clash With Traffic Officials
The Edo State Police Command has launched an investigation into an altercation involving officers of the Police Intelligence Response Team and officials of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency.
The development followed the emergence of a video on social media showing personnel from the two agencies involved in a confrontation.
In the footage, an officer identified as a member of the Intelligence Response Team was seen firing his rifle into the air during the incident.
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Reacting to the development on Thursday, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Daaor, ordered a discreet investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed in a statement that the commissioner had already interviewed representatives of both parties as part of efforts to establish what transpired.
The command also ordered that the conduct of the officer captured firing the rifle be subjected to an appropriate disciplinary review.
The police authorities said they would not tolerate indiscipline, unprofessional conduct or abuse of police powers by any of their personnel.
The command stated that any officer or official found culpable after the investigation would be appropriately sanctioned in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The Edo Police Command also emphasised the importance of inter-agency cooperation and mutual respect among security and government agencies.
According to the command, effective public safety depends on agencies working together professionally towards a common objective.
“The incident is therefore being treated with the seriousness it deserves,” the command said, while noting that the development would not prejudice its established working relationship with the Edo State Traffic Management Agency.
The police further urged members of the public not to take the law into their own hands, advising anyone with complaints about police misconduct to use the appropriate complaint channels, including the Police Complaint Response Unit.
Crime
₦432bn Debt Scandal: Reps Summon NNPCL, 146 Oil Companies
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has launched a probe into billions of naira in outstanding regulatory debts owed to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and oil companies.
The liabilities under investigation have risen to ₦432.07bn, according to findings contained in reports by the Auditor-General of the Federation.
The committee’s investigation follows concerns over petroleum-related obligations that have remained unpaid for several years, with some debts reportedly dating back to 2017.
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The Auditor-General’s 2023 report had put the combined indebtedness of NNPCL and oil companies at ₦392.73bn. NNPCL accounted for ₦162.46bn, while oil companies operating under industry associations including DAPPMAN, MEMAN and MOMAN were responsible for ₦230.27bn.
Further submissions by the NMDPRA revealed that 146 oil companies owed the authority ₦327.53bn as of 2025.
The outstanding liabilities are linked to various petroleum-sector obligations, including Balancing Allowance, National Transport Average and the one per cent Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund. Some legacy debts are also connected to petroleum importation, coastal transactions and credit arrangements.
Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Bamidele Salam, said the lawmakers were determined to establish how the debts accumulated, what amounts had been recovered and how much remained outstanding.
Salam warned companies summoned by the committee to appear with the appropriate representatives and provide all relevant documents.
He stressed that the investigation was not intended to witch-hunt any company but to ensure that government revenue was properly accounted for and recovered.
The committee is expected to examine the basis for the assessments, the periods covered by the debts, payments made by the affected companies and the enforcement actions taken by the NMDPRA against defaulting entities.
Lawmakers will also investigate why some liabilities have remained outstanding for years and whether the regulatory authority deployed sufficient measures to recover the funds.
The probe comes amid growing scrutiny of revenue collection and accountability in Nigeria’s petroleum industry following the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act.
The NMDPRA, established under the PIA, regulates Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations, including petroleum processing, transportation, distribution, domestic gas activities and related infrastructure.
The committee said the investigation forms part of the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight responsibility and would require both the affected companies and the regulatory authority to provide documents needed to establish the true position of the outstanding debts.
Crime
How Police Used Intelligence To Foil Kidnap Operation In Akwa Ibom
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have foiled a planned kidnapping operation in Oron Local Government Area of the state, recovering a pump-action gun, cartridges, a rope, speedboats and outboard engines.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Uyo on Tuesday.
According to John, the operation followed credible intelligence provided by members of the public concerning a suspected plan to carry out a kidnapping operation around the Oron axis.
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She said the information prompted the command to deploy operatives on a joint, intelligence-led operation targeting a suspected criminal camp along the Calabar-Oron channel.
During the operation, the police recovered one pump-action gun, two cartridges and a white rope suspected to have been intended for criminal activities.
The operatives also recovered two speedboats, three 200-horsepower outboard engines and one 15-horsepower outboard engine.
John said all the recovered items had been properly documented and kept in safe custody as investigations continue.
She explained that the operation was part of the command’s sustained intelligence-led and proactive policing strategy designed to identify and disrupt criminal networks before they can execute their plans.
“The strategy is aimed at identifying, disrupting and dismantling criminal networks before they are able to implement their plans.”
The police spokesperson further said the command remained committed to preventing criminals from turning waterways in Cross River into operational corridors, hideouts or escape routes.
She added that the Marine Police Unit had continued to maintain heightened vigilance across strategic waterways and coastal communities in the state.
According to her, the heightened security presence is intended to protect residents of coastal communities, boat operators, fishermen and other users of the waterways.
John also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Azare, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the officers involved in the operation.
She quoted the commissioner as commending the personnel for their professionalism, courage and effective use of actionable intelligence.
“The commissioner of police is happy; the men are working gallantly. He is happy at their display of professionalism, courage and actionable intelligence,” she said.
The police command said it would sustain intelligence-driven operations and heightened surveillance across the state’s waterways to prevent criminal activities and protect lives and property.





