Crime
JUST IN: Ogun Court Jails Five For Money Laundering, Impersonation
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.
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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.
. . . As Operatives Recover Dangerous Weapons, Other Assets
As part of the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to emplace peace and public safety across Nigeria, operatives attached to the Imo State Police Command achieved a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against terrorism.
The feat saw operatives neutralised three deadly terrorist kingpins associated with the Eastern Security Network (ESN), destroyed their camps and recovered weapons.
In a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday, the NPF wrote, “On January 24, 2025, operatives from the Command’s tactical Unit following credible intelligence launched a coordinated operation aimed at locating and dislodging the terrorist hideouts.
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“The police operatives located the terrorists’ hideout in a forest within Ihube, Okigwe LGA. Upon approach, the operatives came under heavy fire from suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists but demonstrated exceptional courage and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
“The operation resulted in the neutralization of 6 members of the terrorist group, with 3 being ESN kingpins identified as Ifeanyi Anayo a.k.a. Zuma De Rock (28), Chukwuemeka Odionyenfe a.k.a. Nmimi (22), and Kingsley Sunday (21)— all natives of Ogube, Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area, and the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of live ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), several communication equipment, along with 8 operational motorcycles used by the group.
“Prior investigations had revealed the involvement of the group in several high-profile crimes, including the attack on the Owerri Correctional Center on April 5, 2021, the killing of five policemen in Umunna, Okigwe, on December 12, 2022, and the burning of Arondizuogu Police Station on February 8, 2022.
“The group was also involved in multiple kidnappings, including those of WAEC staff on June 5, 2023, four reverend sisters on August 21, 2022, and four Chinese nationals on December 6, 2023.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has commended the gallant operatives for their exceptional display of bravery and coordination.
“The IGP charges police operatives across commands and formations to sustain the tempo and implement the Force’s action plan aimed at reducing crimes drastically in the first quarter of the year 2025.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains unyielding in its goal towards ensuring national security and public safety.
“Members of the public are hereby urged to remain vigilant and work collaboratively with the Nigeria Police Force to promote peace and ensure a safer environment for all citizens.”
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.
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………..
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