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.
In Adamawa State, police have apprehended 23-year-old Rachel Geoffrey for allegedly burning the hands of two children belonging to her co-wife.
Rachel, a resident of the Federal Housing Estate in Girei local government area, is accused of inflicting severe injuries on 7-year-old Genesis Geoffrey and 3-year-old Ijadai Geoffrey.
Reports indicate that the children’s mother has separated from their father, who is Rachel’s husband.
Rachel was reported to have cooked rice and set it aside for her husband, the father of the victims, before leaving the house.
When the hungry children ate the food meant for their father, Rachel became enraged.
In her anger, she tied the children’s hands with a handkerchief to restrain them, then set their hands on fire, causing severe injuries.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, called on the public, particularly parents, to meet their responsibilities in caring for their children.
He also promised that the case would be prosecuted thoroughly.
Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, along with his daughter and two others, have been slated for arraignment today (thursday) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
They face charges related to an alleged N2.7 billion fraud linked to the failed Nigerian Air project.
The proceedings are set to unfold before Justice Sylvanus Oriji at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
The charges, based on court documents, accuse Sirika of granting undue advantage to certain entities in Abuja between April 2022 and March 2023.
The anti-graft agency has accused Sirika of misusing his authority by awarding a N1.3 billion consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air Start-up to Tianero Nigeria Limited.
This alleged action is said to contravene Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In a separate charge, the EFCC alleges that on or around August 18, 2022, in Abuja, Sirika utilized on or about August 18, 2022 ia, Sirika “did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, whose alter ego, Fatima Hadi Sirika and Jalal Sule Hamma are your daughter and son-in-law respectively, by using your position to influence the award to them, the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1.498,300,750.00.”
The anti-graft agency asserted that Sirika’s actions amounted to a violation of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, rendering him liable to punishment under the same section.
In count three, the EFCC accused Sirika of criminal breach of trust “while serving as the Minister of Aviation and in his capacity as a public officer” on or around August 18, 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the court.
In late April, the former aviation minister was taken into custody by the anti-graft agency and interrogated for several days.
Zamfara State is in the grip of fear and mourning following a series of vicious attacks by bandits, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals and the abduction of a branch manager of Taj Bank in Mandir Laura.
In a daring raid, approximately fifteen armed bandits stormed the manager’s residence in Rijiyar Gabas, seizing him and vanishing into the night.
Meanwhile, Faru Town in Maradun local government area witnessed a bloodbath as bandits struck, leaving eight residents dead.
Eyewitnesses recount the terror as the attackers besieged the town, instilling fear and chaos before retreating with captives into the surrounding forests.
The incidents have prompted widespread outrage and renewed calls for urgent action to stem the tide of violence plaguing Zamfara State.
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