A U.S. federal court has sentenced Babatunde Francis Ayeni, a 33-year-old Nigerian, to 10 years in prison for masterminding a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme that defrauded hundreds of victims across the United States.

The scheme, which targeted real estate transactions, resulted in losses exceeding $19.5 million.

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Court documents revealed that Ayeni and his accomplices gained access to the email accounts of real estate professionals by stealing login credentials.

They monitored these accounts to identify ongoing financial transactions and intercepted payments by sending fraudulent emails to buyers.

These emails contained fake wiring instructions that diverted funds into accounts controlled by the fraudsters.

The scheme impacted over 400 individuals nationwide, with 231 victims suffering irreversible financial losses. The total amount stolen from these victims was $19,599,969.46.

While Ayeni has been brought to justice, two co-conspirators—Feyisayo Ogunsanwo and Yusuf Lasisi—remain at large. Authorities believe both individuals are outside the United States and are working to secure their arrest and extradition.

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Chukwuemeka Edeh, a Nigerian citizen, seeking ₦5 million in damages over alleged unlawful detention and torture by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Edeh had alleged that SARS operatives subjected him to severe abuse, including beatings, tear gas sprayed into his eyes, and a forced confession during his detention.

He argued that these actions violated his human rights as guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other international treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

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In his suit, Edeh also requested a default judgment against the Nigerian government for its failure to defend the case.

However, in a judgment delivered by a three-member panel of the ECOWAS Court, presided over by Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, with Justice Edward Asante reading the ruling and Justice Dupe Atoki as a member, the court rejected the claim.

Justice Asante stated that while the court had jurisdiction over the matter and the application met the necessary procedural requirements, the evidence presented was insufficient to substantiate the allegations or grant a default judgment.

“The court found that the claims lacked adequate proof to meet the required legal standard,” Justice Asante noted.

The case highlighted longstanding allegations of human rights abuses by SARS, a controversial police unit disbanded in 2020 following nationwide protests.

Despite the court’s dismissal, the ruling underscores the importance of robust evidence in securing accountability in human rights cases.

Edeh had claimed that his ordeal occurred in Enugu State, where he was allegedly subjected to physical and psychological abuse by SARS operatives.

He argued that the Nigerian government’s failure to protect him from such violations warranted compensation.

The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele continued in the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday, November 14, 2024, with explosive testimony from Kingsley Obiora, the former Deputy Governor in charge of Policy at the CBN.

Obiora, who served under Emefiele, told the court that the new naira notes issued during Emefiele’s tenure did not match the version approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

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Appearing virtually before Justice Maryann Anenih, Obiora explained that he noticed a discrepancy between the President’s original approval and the currency that was eventually produced and circulated.

His testimony followed a presentation of evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, which highlighted the differences between the two versions.

Obiora, who worked at the CBN for over seven years, further described his role within the CBN’s Committee of Governors (COG), a key decision-making body led by Emefiele.

According to Obiora, the committee, which included the governor, deputy governors, and the director of corporate services, met weekly to discuss critical bank policies.

During his testimony, Obiora recounted the events leading up to the controversial currency redesign.

He explained that on October 25, 2022, Emefiele informed the deputy governors of the plan during an event in Lagos marking the anniversary of the e-naira.

Obiora voiced concerns about announcing such a major policy at the event but was overruled when the redesign proposal was formally presented the following day in a COG meeting.

Emefiele reportedly told the committee that the President had already approved the redesign.

The policy was subsequently discussed and approved by the COG, and a public announcement was made by Emefiele and other senior CBN officials.

However, Obiora noted that the CBN Board was only formally informed about the redesign in December 2022, months after the policy had been set in motion.

He clarified that the board’s involvement was limited to endorsing the decisions made by the COG.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel Olalekan Ojo SAN, Obiora confirmed that the December 2022 Board meeting aligned with the notes eventually released into circulation, but reiterated that the board did not play a role in initiating the redesign.

He also stated that there had been no complaints from President Buhari about the policy.

Reflecting on his past involvement with currency redesigns, Obiora noted his participation in the 2014 N100 note redesign but emphasized that he had not been directly involved in that process.

After hearing his testimony, Justice Anenih adjourned the case until December 4, 2024, with further hearings scheduled for January 21, 2025.