Crime
Internet Fraud Lands Uniport Undergraduate 14-Year Jail Term
Justice A. T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced a final year student of the University of Port Harcourt, Henry Nathaniel Ekanem to 14 years imprisonment for internet fraud.
He was jailed on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 upon arraignment by the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on a seven-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence and impersonation.
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One of the counts reads: “That you, Henry Nathaniel Ekanem on or about 17th September, 2024, at Choba in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of Twenty Two United states of America dollars ($22) from Diana Roskov by fraudulently representing yourself as Coran Capsha, manager of the singer, Chris Stapleton, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud-Related Offences Act 2006.”
He pleaded guilty when the charges were read to him.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, A. Abubakar called witnesses, tendered some documents as evidence which were admitted by the court and marked as exhibits.
Thereafter, he prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.
Counsel to the defendant, F. T. Fred-Boufini did not oppose the prayers by the prosecution.
She rather prayed the court to temper justice with mercy stressing that the defendant was a first time offender with no previous criminal records.
Justice Mohammed convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment on each of the seven -count or an option of fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The judge also ordered that all the phones recovered from the convict be forfeited to the government, being proceeds of crime.
The convict was also ordered to depose an affidavit of good behaviour before the court.
Ekanem started his journey to the Correctional Centre when he was arrested by operatives of the Commission sometime in September, 2024 at Choba, Port Harcourt, for internet fraud and other fraud-related activities.
The convict successfully defrauded one Diana Roskov, among others, by fraudulently representing himself as Coran Capsha, manager of the singer, Chris Stapleton through WhatsApp and Instagram chats.
Crime
How Ogun Driver Allegedly Stole Boss’s ₦45m Lexus and Plotted to Sell It for ₦10m in Cotonou
The Ogun State Police Command has recovered a Lexus 460 SUV valued at ₦45 million, hours after it was allegedly stolen by its owner’s driver, who reportedly conspired with two other individuals to transport the vehicle to Cotonou, Benin Republic, for sale at ₦10 million.
The breakthrough followed a report received by detectives of the Agbado Division on November 12, 2026, at about 7:00 p.m., concerning the alleged theft of a black Lexus 460 SUV by the owner’s 28-year-old driver, Jeremiah Jacob Emmanuel.
The statement was issued on November 13, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, anipr, Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
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According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the driver had conveyed his employer to his office earlier in the day but subsequently left with the vehicle without authorisation, allegedly claiming that his wife was indisposed.
He reportedly drove the vehicle to meet two other individuals identified as Akeem Olawale, 34, and Monday Keshi, who is currently at large.
The suspects had allegedly arranged to take the vehicle to Cotonou, Benin Republic, for sale at ₦10 million, despite its estimated value of ₦45 million.
Upon receiving the report, detectives of the Agbado Division immediately swung into action, deploying their investigative resources to track down the suspects.
The operation led to the arrest of one of the suspects at Agbado Crossing at about 7:00 p.m. on the same day, while the stolen Lexus was successfully recovered.
During preliminary investigation, the arrested suspect allegedly admitted involvement in the planned movement of the vehicle to Cotonou for sale.
The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplice, while the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for discreet investigation and further necessary action.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, FCSS, MNIPR, commended the detectives for their vigilance, swift response and professionalism.
He reiterated the command’s determination to sustain intelligence-led operations, disrupt criminal networks and ensure that individuals involved in criminal activities are brought to justice.
The command also assured residents of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, while encouraging members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities and provide credible information that could assist police operations.
Crime
Oyo Police Arrest Suspected Serial Burglar, Recover Stolen Items Worth ₦16.2m
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected serial burglar, Nasiru Abiodun, over multiple burglary incidents in the Ejiooku/Iyana Offa area of Ibadan, recovering stolen property estimated at ₦16.22 million.
The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, November 1, 2026, by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.
According to the statement, the suspect was arrested on October 31, 2026, at about 9:45 a.m. following a report from concerned residents of Oyewole Zone 2, Ile-Igbon, in the Ejiooku/Iyana Offa area.
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Operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Maku Base, reportedly apprehended Abiodun at a residential apartment with a sack containing house cables and other valuable items estimated at ₦3 million.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to burgling four different residential apartments within the area, carting away house cables, mobile phones, motorcycle batteries and other household valuables.
The police put the total estimated value of items stolen from the four apartments at ₦16.22 million, adding that some of the stolen property had already been recovered from the suspect.
Following his confession, operatives visited the identified crime scenes to establish relevant facts and advance the investigation.
The Command said efforts had been intensified to recover the remaining stolen items and apprehend other individuals suspected of receiving the stolen property.
It also appealed to residents of Ejiooku/Iyana Offa, Ile-Igbon and adjoining communities who may have experienced burglaries recently to report such incidents to the nearest police station or the Maku Base of the VCRU.
The appeal, according to the police, is aimed at identifying other possible victims and facilitating the recovery of additional stolen property.
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, reiterated the Command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities through proactive policing, intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with members of the public.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly provide credible information that could assist the police in preventing and detecting crime.
The police provided the Oyo State Call Response Centre toll-free number, 615, and the Command’s control room numbers, 08081768614 and 07055495413, for emergency reports.
Crime
Navy Uncovers 132,000 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil in Bonny
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered 132,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Allison community, Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State.
This was detailed in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, in which he disclosed that the Forward Operating Base Bonny discovered the stolen crude oil under Operation Delta Sentinel, following actionable intelligence.
He said the operation uncovered 10 dugout pits, adding that the site and the recovered products were handled in accordance with extant regulations.
“The operation reinforces the importance of intelligence-led action in identifying concealed petroleum stockpiles and disrupting the infrastructure that enables crude oil theft and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products.
“The Nigerian Navy will sustain efforts to locate and dismantle illegal refining infrastructure and disrupt the networks facilitating crude oil theft across the Niger Delta,” the statement said.
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The Navy urged community leaders, residents, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to promptly report crude oil theft, illegal refining, suspicious petroleum storage and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products to the nearest security agency.
Timely, credible information, the statement said, could enable swift intervention and prevent illicit activities from expanding.
“Safeguarding the nation’s critical petroleum assets requires vigilance and active cooperation between security agencies and the communities they serve. The Navy therefore urges the public to remain alert and support lawful efforts to protect national resources,” Folorunsho concluded.





