Crime
Ondo Court Remands Principal For Faking Abduction
The principal of a secondary school, Matthew Afolabi, has been directed to be held in prison by an Akure Magistrate Court in Ondo state.
This decision comes in light of allegations against him involving a N12 million fraud scheme and falsely claiming his own abduction.
According to reports, Afolabi allegedly staged his own kidnapping following his involvement in a N12 million fraud case.
The victims of the fraud were reportedly members of an association known as Ifesowapo CTS.
Subsequently, he was apprehended by the security personnel of the state’s Amotekun outfit and subsequently presented before the court. Afolabi is facing charges on two counts, which include fraud and fabricating his own abduction.
Following the alleged actions of Afolabi, his family members, staff, friends, and members of the Ifesowapo CTS Association reportedly filed a complaint against him at the Amotekun office in the state capital.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Segun Akeredolu, stated that the accused individual committed the offense at approximately 7 p.m. in Igbara Oke, within the Ifedore council area of the state.
As stated by Akeredolu, the defendant, Afolabi, allegedly engaged in fraudulent activities by unlawfully appropriating the amount of N12 million, which belonged to members of the Ifesowapo CTS Association.
Furthermore, he purportedly fabricated a scenario of being kidnapped in an attempt to misappropriate the N12 million for personal gain. Afolabi claimed that he had been forcefully taken by unidentified gunmen and held captive in a remote area.
He then reached out to his family members and friends, urging them to help with the payment of ransom in order to secure his release.
According to Akeredolu, the alleged offenses committed by Afolabi are in violation of Sections 383 and are punishable under Sections 390(9) and 9 of the Ondo State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 2010.
However, during the court session, the defendant’s plea was not recorded.
The prosecutor requested the court to detain Afolabi at the Olokuta Correctional Centre until the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) provides advice on the case.
In response, the defense counsel, B.H Awi, requested an adjournment to allow time for filing a counter affidavit to the remand application.
Following the proceedings, the trial Magistrate, Damilola Sekoni, issued an order for the accused, Afolabi, to be remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre.
This remand is to remain in effect until the advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is received and considered.
Crime
N1.3trn Fraud: EFCC Arrests Ex-Delta Gov, Ifeanyi Okowa
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.
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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.
Crime
Court Orders Arrest Of Dana Air CEO In N1.3bn Fraud Case
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.
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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.
Crime
Gunmen Attack Police Facility In Owerrinta, Female Detainee Killed
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.