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JUST IN: Ogun Court Jails Five For Money Laundering, Impersonation

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has secured the conviction and sentence of five fraudsters before Justice A.A. Okeke of the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The convicts are Justine Chikeleze Onyedikachukwu, David Udoka Okafor, Godwin Favour Udoh, Ifeanyi Franklin Ogobue and  Chinedu Mukolu Obed.

It was gathered that they were arraigned on July 12, 2024, on separate charges bordering on money laundering, contrary to Section 18 (2) of Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022) and punishable  under Section 18 (3) of the same law and Impersonation, contrary to Section 22 (2) (iv) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition and Prevention Act, 2022.)

According to the EFCC, they all pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.

ALSO READ: BREAKING: EFCC, Partners Mark 2024 African Union Anti-corruption Day With Walk Against Corruption

Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, Okongwu Ebuka and Ridwan Alabi, prayed the court to convict them accordingly.

Consequently, Justice Okeke sentenced Onyedikachukwu to two months imprisonment on each of the counts.

The sentences are to run concurrently and the iPhone 12 mobile phone and Samsung laptop computer recovered from him were forfeited to the Federal Government.

On his part, Favour was convicted and sentenced to three months imprisonment on count one of money laundering and three months on count two of impersonation.

The sentences are to run concurrently. The iPhone 12pro max and iPhone 11 recovered from him were forfeited also to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Similarly, was convicted and sentenced to one-month imprisonment on each of the counts.

The sentences are to run concurrently. The judge ordered the forfeiture of his iPhone XS Max to the Federal Government.

The judge also sentenced Ogobue to two months imprisonment on count one and two months on count two.

The sentences are to run concurrently. Justice Okeke also ordered the forfeiture of his iPhone 12pro max to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

During his trial, Obed pleaded “guilty” to the amended two counts of money laundering and impersonation.

Though he was discharged on count one of money laundering, he was convicted on count two bordering on impersonation and sentenced to two months imprisonment.

His iPhone 12 Pro Max was forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

All the convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested for internet offences.

Crime

N1.3trn Fraud: EFCC Arrests Ex-Delta Gov, Ifeanyi Okowa

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in 13% derivation funds intended for Delta State during his tenure.

Okowa, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, was detained after he voluntarily appeared at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt Directorate on Monday in response to an official summons.

READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Debt Service Ratio Falls To 65% As Tinubu Tackles Economic Woes

According to an EFCC source, Okowa is accused of failing to account for the N1.3 trillion derived from the federation account, as well as an additional N40 billion he allegedly invested in shares of UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

The investigation suggests that Okowa acquired an 8% stake in a major Nigerian bank to support the offshore LNG venture, with funds purportedly misallocated from state resources.

Beyond the LNG shares, investigators are probing whether Okowa redirected state funds to acquire high-value properties in Abuja and Asaba.

Okowa is currently held at an EFCC facility in Port Harcourt as the inquiry continues.

The high-profile arrest comes as Okowa, who was the vice-presidential running mate to Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, faces scrutiny over his financial conduct in office.

 

 

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Crime

Court Orders Arrest Of Dana Air CEO In N1.3bn Fraud Case

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Amid repeated absences from court, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for Hathiramani Ranesh, Managing Director of Dana Air, who faces charges of fraud and conspiracy tied to alleged misappropriations totaling N1.3 billion.

The ruling, handed down Monday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, calls for Ranesh’s immediate arrest following his failure to respond to multiple court summonses.

READ MORE: Ibadan Man On Why He Used 76 Women For Ritual, Ate Others

Justice Egwuatu cited Section 184 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), empowering the court to issue an arrest warrant against defendants who evade appearance.

“The defendant is legally obligated to appear, and the court is authorized to issue a warrant for arrest if he does not,” Justice Egwuatu said, setting January 13, 2025, as the next court date, adding that no objections will be considered unless Ranesh is present.

Ranesh and two Dana Group subsidiaries—Dana Group PLC and Dana Steel Ltd—face serious allegations from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

Prosecutors claim that between 2014 and 2018, Ranesh and his companies engaged in fraudulent activities, including the unauthorized sale of industrial generators valued at N450 million, which had been pledged as collateral in a debenture agreement.

Additional charges allege the misappropriation of N864 million from bond funds meant for operations at the Dana Steel Rolling Factory in Katsina, and a N60.3 million transfer to an external account without authorization.

The charges, filed by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Moshood Adeyemi, cite violations under the Criminal Code Act.

In court, government lawyer Mojisola Okeya-Esho argued for the arrest warrant, stating that Ranesh had disregarded court orders to appear for arraignment.

Defense counsel B. Ademola-Bello challenged the prosecution, contending that jurisdictional issues must be addressed before proceeding with the case.

Justice Egwuatu dismissed these objections, underscoring that Ranesh’s presence in court is required before other arguments can be entertained.

The matter is now adjourned until January 13, 2025, with the warrant remaining active until the defendant is brought to court.

 

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Crime

Gunmen Attack Police Facility In Owerrinta, Female Detainee Killed

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In a shocking act of violence, armed assailants targeted the Police Rapid Response Squad facility in Owerrinta early Monday morning, resulting in the tragic death of a female detainee.

The attack occurred shortly after midnight along the Umuahia-Aba Federal Expressway.

READ MORE: Edo Deputy Gov, Omobayo Ordered To Court Over Refusal To Vacate Office

State Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa confirmed the incident, revealing that the gunmen arrived in three Hilux vehicles and opened fire on the police facility.

“Our personnel successfully repelled the attack,” Isa stated.

However, the attackers resorted to using dynamite, causing significant damage to the building and exposing the detainees inside.

During the chaos, the gunmen attempted to free detainees, leading to the fatal shooting of the female suspect.

Unconfirmed reports suggest she was in custody related to a child trafficking case.

In the aftermath of the attack, police swiftly initiated a manhunt for the perpetrators, employing advanced technical methods to track their movements.

Commissioner Isa announced the arrest of one suspect, who is currently undergoing interrogation to uncover the identities of additional accomplices.

“We are making significant progress in our investigation,” he affirmed.

Authorities are calling on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities as the investigation continues.

 

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