Crime
Internet Fraud: EFCC Arraigns 11 Chinese, One Filipino In Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday, January 31, 2025, arraigned 11 Chinese, one Filipino and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The defendants are: Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xian Hong Will, Zhang Xiao Lei, Long Zhao Ming, Guo Xiao Fei, Yang Sheng, Wang Zheng Feng, Chen Wenyuan, Liu San Hua, Luo Jia You and Rheign Dela Vega.
They are members of the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 19, 2024 in Lagos during a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” by operatives of the EFCC.
ALSO READ: Atiku Decries Emerging One-Party Autocracy In Nigeria
The suspects were arraigned on separate charges bordering on alleged cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretence and identity theft, among others.
One of the counts reads: “That you, LI YIN HUI and GENTING INTERNATIONAL CO. LIMITED, on or about the 18th of December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, willfully caused to be accessed computer systems organised to seriously destabilise the constitutional structure of Nigeria (which prohibits and prevents cyber and related crimes) when you procured/employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain financial advantage for yourselves and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”
Another count reads: “That you, LUO JIA YOU (AKA A. YOU) sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully gave false information to officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the course of investigation when you were being questioned for being part of a criminal syndicate group, specialized in Romance scam, crypto currency fraud, cyber terrorism amongst others; and in order to mislead them, you falsely represented your name as A. YOU and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 39(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 39(2) (b) of the same Act.”
Another charge reads: “That you, LONG SHAO MING A.K.A LING YANG, sometime in December 2024 in Lagos , within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession documents containing false pretence, wherein you held yourself out as ‘Linda Maureen’, a citizen of the United States of America, which document you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and punishable under 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other fraud related Offences Act, 2006. “
They each pleaded “not guilty” to the offences when they were read to them.
In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, L.P. Aso, M. K.Bashir, T. J. Banjo, N. K. Ukoha and B. Buhari-Bala, prayed the court for trial dates and for the defendants to be remanded in the appropriate Correctional facilities.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter till 7, 14 and 21 February, 2025 for trial and remanded the defendants at the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres.
A Federal High Court in Ikoyi has granted Jude Okoye, the former manager of the defunct music duo P-Square, bail in the sum of N100 million following his arraignment on money laundering charges.
Okoye, who is accused of laundering N1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He pleaded not guilty and was initially remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional Facility by Justice Alexander Owoeye.
READ ALSO: Psquare Brothers At War Again Over Royalties
During Friday’s hearing, Okoye’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, requested that he be held in EFCC custody instead, but the prosecution, led by Larry Peters Aso, objected, citing concerns that the defendant could flee or interfere with witnesses.
Delivering his ruling on Monday, Justice Owoeye granted bail on the condition that Okoye provides two sureties, each with landed property in Lagos worth N100 million.
The court must verify the property documents, and Okoye has been restricted from leaving Nigeria without permission.
He will remain in custody until he fulfills the bail conditions. His trial is set to begin on April 14, 2025.
Okoye, known for his role in managing the music careers of his younger brothers, Peter and Paul Okoye of P-Square, was arrested following an EFCC investigation into alleged financial misconduct.
The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old businessman, Alhaji Nuru Isah, for allegedly beating his 24-year-old wife, Wasila Abdullahi, to death during a dispute over meal preparations for Ramadan.
The incident occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on Friday in the Fadamam Mada area, near Government Girls College, Bauchi.
According to a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Ahmed Wakili, the disagreement arose over food ingredients and fruits meant for breaking their fast.
READ ALSO: Sultan Declares March 1 As First Day Of Ramadan
The situation escalated, and Isah allegedly struck Wasila with a cane, causing her to collapse.
“She collapsed and lost consciousness inside their home. Efforts to save her life were futile as she was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU-TH), where medical personnel confirmed her dead,” Wakili stated.
Police have since taken Isah into custody and recovered the cane used in the alleged assault. The victim’s body has been deposited in the mortuary, pending an autopsy.
Reacting to the incident, Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Musa Muhammad, assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted and justice served.
“This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of domestic violence. We call on residents to report cases of abuse because violence within the home is a serious crime with grave consequences,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, alongside his son, Chinedum Orji, and three others before the Abia State High Court over allegations of misappropriating ₦47 billion in public funds.
Also facing trial are: Dr. Philip Nto – Former Abia State Commissioner of Finance, Obioma King – Government contractor and Romas Madu – Former Director of Finance, Abia State
The defendants appeared before Justice Lilian Abai on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, theft, and unlawful conversion of government funds.
READ MORE: Alleged N5.78b Fraud: Ex-Kwara Gov, Ahmed Diverted UBEC Funds-Witness
According to the EFCC, the accused persons allegedly engaged in large-scale financial mismanagement during Orji’s tenure as governor.
The breakdown of the charges includes: ₦22.5 billion misappropriated from security votes between 2011 and 2015, ₦13 billion allegedly diverted from a Diamond Bank loan facility, ₦12 billion reportedly converted from the Paris Club refund, ₦10.5 billion misused from a First Bank loan meant for Abia State and its local councils, and ₦2 billion allegedly stolen from CBN funds meant for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
At the hearing, lead prosecutor Prof. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, presented the charges, and all five defendants pleaded not guilty.
Defense lawyers, including Bode Olanipekun, SAN, Chikaosulu Ojukwu, SAN, K.I. Oleh, Esq., Okey Amechi, SAN, and Isaac Anya, Esq., filed bail applications on behalf of their clients.
The EFCC did not oppose the bail applications but urged the court to impose strict conditions.
After deliberations, Justice Abai granted bail to the defendants and adjourned the trial to June 18 and 19, 2025.
Bill To Abolish HND-BSc Disparity Passes Second Reading
Gas Explosion Kills 16 In Fatal Ogun Auto Crash
Tinubu Appoints Ogunjimi As Nigeria’s New Accountant General
LSHA: How Political Godfathers Shoved Meranda Aside For Obasa
FULL SPEECH: Why I Stepped-Down As Speaker LSHA – Meranda
MacBook tastatur reparasjon
January 31, 2025 at 5:57 pm
I learned a lot from this post—thank you!
토토사이트
February 1, 2025 at 2:27 am
안전한 먹튀검증 찾기, 토토검증소가 도와드립니다.
forex market news today
February 1, 2025 at 2:56 am
Your writing style is so engaging and easy to follow. I couldn’t stop reading once I started your blog post!
Currency manipulation news
February 1, 2025 at 6:50 am
Your blog post was a much-needed reminder to slow down and appreciate the little things in life. Thank you for the dose of positivity!
토토사이트
February 1, 2025 at 7:18 am
최고의 먹튀검증를 찾는 가장 빠른 방법, 토토검증소.