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.
. . . 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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