Crime
Internet Fraud: Kaduna Court Jails Three
Justice A. Bello of the Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Kaduna has convicted and sentenced the trio of Saadu Salisu, Omoruyi Osavbie (a.k.a Antonio Hendo Henderson) and Daniel Japheth (a.k.a Cain Steven) to various jail terms for internet fraud.
It was gathered that the convicts were prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on one-count separate charges.
Biztellers reports that while Osavbie’s and Japheth’s charges bordered on impersonation and cheating, that of Salisu was on obtaining by false pretence and cheating.
Salisu’s charge reads: “That you Sa’adu Salisu and Ihasas Ventures Nigeria Limited on or about the 1st of March,2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court, cheated and dishonestly induced one Adamu Bakori to part with the sum of N300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira only) with the promise to secure a job for him and you thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 311 of the Kaduna State penal Code Law, 2017.”
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Similarly, Osavbie’s charge reads: “That you, Omoruyi Osavbie (a. k.a Antonio Hendo Henderson) sometime in May, 2024, in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, represented yourself as one Antonio Hendo Henderson (A military personnel in the United States of America) on Facebook (an online social media platform) and in such assumed identity, cheated unsuspecting victims the total sum of N87,000 (Eighty Seven Thousand Naira), and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same law.”
Each of the three defendants pleaded “guilty” to their charges when they were read to him, which prompted prosecution counsel M. Arumemi and M. Lawal to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Bello, afterwards, convicted and sentenced Salisu to three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira).
In addition, he forfeited N300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira), being the proceeds of crime to the federal government.
On his part, Japheth bagged four years imprisonment or a fine of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira).
In additiona, he forfeited the sum of £75.00 (Seventy-five British pounds), being proceeds of the crime and his iPhone 11 mobile phone to the federal government, while Omoruyi was sentenced to seven years imprisonment or a fine of N450,000.00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).
He also forfeited the sum of N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira), being proceeds of his crime and his iPhone X max to the federal government.
Salisu’s journey to prison began when his victim petitioned the EFCC, alleging that he convinced him in May 2021 that he could secure a job for him in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and later demanded the sum of N300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) for the job placement, which he paid into the convict’s bank account but neither got the job nor his money back.
Crime
$345,000 Fraud: EFCC Withdraws Arrest Warrant For Mercy Chinwo’s Ex-Manager
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Biztellers reports that Thankgod is facing allegations of involvement in a $345,000 fraud case.
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The arrest warrant had been issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on January 16, 2025, following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to compel Thankgod’s appearance in court.
During a court session on Friday, EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the warrant, stating that the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Mr. Monday Ubani, SAN, during open court proceedings.
She argued that the warrant was no longer necessary.
Justice Owoeye granted the application and formally vacated the bench warrant.
Crime
Counsel To Otudeko Protests Alleged N12.3bn Fraud Charges
Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, appeared in the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to challenge charges of N12.3 billion fraud.
Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count indictment against Otudeko, along with Olabisi Onasanya, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc., Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
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During the proceedings, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), raised an objection, stating that the charge had not been properly served to Otudeko or his co-defendants.
Olanipekun emphasized this issue as a reason for protest in court.
The EFCC has accused the individuals and the company of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion under false pretenses.
More to follow………..
Crime
Arrested Boko Haram Suspects: Adeleke Commends Security Operatives, Assures Safety Of Residents
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commended the personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), on the successful operation, that led to the arrest of 10 suspected members of Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State.
Gov Adeleke expressed his feelings in a statement on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday.
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According to the statement, Gov Adeleke hailed the alertness of security operatives, to eliminate the threats posed by the suspected terrorists, which gives further assurance that our security agencies are up to the task of sustaining peace and security of every part of Nigeria.
He particularly commended the intelligence gathering of the personnel of the State Service, who have painstakingly monitor the activities of the suspected criminals and moved swiftly to cut off their dastardly act.
“This is a welcome development and a big relief, not just for us as a government but to the people of the state and Nigeria in general. I commend the security operatives for their alertness and intelligence driven operation. We have absolute confidence in our security forces to keep protecting us”, Gov Adeleke declared.
He assured that his administration will continue to cooperate with security agencies and support their operations to ensure maximum protection of lives and property of Osun people, noting that this remains top of his priority.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I will continue to give priority to issues of security of my people. I will continue to support efforts of security agencies to guard against any breakdown of law and order in any part of Osun. We will sustain the good relationship and collaboration that currently exists between our administration and the security agencies in the state” the Governor noted.
Gov Adeleke enjoined residents of Osun to continue to be watchful, and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to relevant security agency, while assuring that Osun will continue to be a peaceful state under his watch.
“I hereby call on my people to continue to live in peace and harmony and be at alert to report any suspicious activities or behavior around them to the relevant security authorities. Together, we will ensure that Osun remains the most peaceful state in Nigeria” he concluded.