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Lagos Yahoo Boy Karinate Pleads For Mercy In Court

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In Lagos, a P2P crypto trader named Lawrence Success Karinate has narrowly avoided imprisonment by confessing to his involvement in a pig-butchering scam that yielded $2000.

 

Appearing before Justice Nicholas Oweibo at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on October 6, 2023, he swiftly pleaded guilty and was promptly convicted on the same day.

 

The EFCC disclosed that the pig-butchering scam involves duping victims through digital relationships, gaining trust, and persuading them to invest in cryptocurrency platforms.

 

Following his arrest in the Lekki area of Lagos State on May 26, 2023, Lawrence Success Karinate, alongside accomplices, had assumed a deceptive online persona as “Jessie Randall,” a purported female fashion influencer.

 

Prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC, Karinate faced a one-count charge related to cybercrimes, specifically violating Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition etc.) Act, 2015.

 

Admitting culpability, Lawrence Success Karinate pleaded “guilty” to the single charge brought against him. Subsequently, the EFCC’s counsel, Usman Abubakar Ahmad, summoned witness Taiwo Owolabi, an EFCC operative, to present the case’s details.

 

Owolabi affirmed that on May 26, 2023, the defendant, in the company of others, was apprehended in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

 

He said “Upon his arrest, he was brought to the EFCC office, where his iPhone and HP computer were analyzed. Fraudulent documents were printed out from his devices, and he made restitution to the tune of N100,000. ( One Hundred Thousand Naira).

 

“He was further interrogated and admitted to having engaged in a pig-butchering scam and benefitted the sum of $2000 (Two Thousand United States Dollars) from it.”

 

Usman proceeded to request the admission of the defendant’s extrajudicial statement, fraudulent documents from his iPhone and laptop, and the management cheque he issued.

 

Justice Oweibo accepted these as exhibits A, B, C, C1, D, and E, subsequently convicting Karinate as charged.

 

Despite the conviction, Karinate conveyed remorse for his participation in the criminal activity, pledging to the court that he would refrain from engaging in internet fraud in the future.

 

Advocating for leniency, Karinate’s counsel, Chikezie Kingsley, emphasized that the defendant was a first-time offender.

 

In the verdict, Justice Oweibo imposed a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) as the penalty for the conviction.

 

Crime

Court Pushes Malami, Son’s Terrorism Financing Trial to April 15

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, until April 15 and 16.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the adjournment on Tuesday after the prosecution requested more time to prepare for the trial.

During the court session, lead prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that he had only recently been assigned to handle the case and needed additional time to consult with witnesses.

SEE ALSO: Malami Speaks Out On Court Ruling, Urges Nigerians To Stay Calm

“I got the instruction to take over the prosecution of the case on Monday and so I need time to interface with the witnesses,” Kehinde told the court while asking for a new hearing date.

Counsel for the defendants, Shuaibu Arua (SAN), did not oppose the request for adjournment.

Following the application, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and fixed April 15 and 16 for the continuation of the trial.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier arraigned the former justice minister and his son on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.

According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami was accused of allegedly aiding terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to him while he served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

The defendants were also accused of illegally storing firearms and ammunition at their residence located in Gesse Phase II Area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State without lawful authority.

Items allegedly recovered include a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges.

The alleged offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Firearms Act, 2004.

The trial is expected to continue in April when the court begins full hearing of the case.

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Crime

How Routine FRSC Patrol Exposed Wanted Driver, Recovered Stolen Sienna

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A routine patrol by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle in Lagos and the exposure of a wanted driver, highlighting the importance of proper vehicle documentation and cooperation with authorities.

The incident occurred at the RS2.1114 Isolo Unit Command, where officers stopped an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna bearing registration number LSD438GK for a Vehicle Licence Violation (VLV) on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at about 5:11 p.m.

While the driver initially failed to present valid documents, further checks revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen and the driver was already declared wanted.

SEE ALSO: Fatigue, Over Speeding Led To Road Accident Which Claimed 21 Kano Athletes – FRSC

The suspect was subsequently handed over in handcuffs to the Nigeria Police Force, Ajao Division, for further action.

The FRSC credited the recovery to the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), a digital framework that strengthens vehicle verification and tracking.

The scheme has reportedly helped identify, trace, and recover numerous stolen vehicles nationwide, while curbing criminal syndicates involved in vehicle theft and identity manipulation.

In a statement, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide stressed that enforcement is not only about traffic compliance but also crime prevention and public safety, urging motorists to always carry valid documentation and cooperate with patrol officers.

Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed commended the Isolo team for their vigilance, affirming the FRSC’s commitment to leveraging technology, intelligence, and strategic partnerships to protect lives and property on Nigerian roads.

 

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Crime

Election Scandal in Abuja: Woman Busted With 20 Voter Cards in Kabusa

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A major election scandal unfolded on Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as security agents apprehended a young woman in the Kabusa area for allegedly possessing 20 voter cards during the ongoing area council elections.

The woman, dressed in a black shirt and red trousers with a white scarf, was intercepted at Polling Unit 001 in Kabusa Primary School.

She was immediately escorted into a police van by security personnel, raising concerns about the integrity of the election process.

SEE ALSO: Chaos At Nyanya Polling Unit As PDP, ADC Accuse APC of ₦1,000 Vote Buying

Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, was on the ground monitoring the elections.

He visited several polling units, including the Karu Chief’s Palace, to interact with adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and assess voter turnout.

Wike reportedly inquired about the progress of the voting and the challenges faced by election officials.

This incident comes amid reports of low voter turnout and other electoral irregularities in parts of Abuja, underscoring ongoing concerns about electoral security and transparency in the FCT area council elections.

Authorities have assured that investigations are ongoing, and the suspect may face legal action pending further verification of her actions.

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