The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured different jail terms for an employee of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Gombe and another person in Bauchi.

The anti-graft agency took to its verified X handle to announce the victory in the battle against financial crimes on Friday.

According to the tweet, those jailed were, Dabiet Onyemi Gilbert and Saleh Haruna who the court found guilty “of obtaining by false pretence”, and “forgery”, respectively.

It stated that “Gilbert’s journey to prison began when his victim petitioned the EFCC after realizing that he had been defrauded over a non-existing Nigerian Correctional Services’ (NCS) job while all efforts to get his money back proved abortive.

“Haruna, on the other hand, bagged his imprisonment when a petitioner alleged that he conspired with one Mohammed Mustapha Sallah to defraud him of the sum of N950,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) being payment for a landed property, which he neither took possession of nor his money returned to him.”

The EFCC wrote, “Justices H.H Kereng and Muazu Abubakar of the Gombe State High Court, Gombe and Bauchi State High Court, Bauchi have convicted and sentenced Dabiet Onyemi Gilbert and Saleh Haruna to different jail terms for fraud.

“Gilbert, an employee of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) was prosecuted on a one-count charge of obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N800,000.00 (Eighth Hundred Thousand Naira) by the Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, while Haruna faced a two-count charge bordering on forgery.

“Gilbert’s charge reads: “That you Dabiet Onyemi Gilbert on or about 28th May 2021 in Gombe, Gombe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N800,000.00 (Eighth Hundred Thousand Naira) from Akoh Daniel Acoustic by falsely representing that the said sum was for job placement with the Nigerian Correctional Services which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320 and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code Law”

“Count two of Saleh charge reads: “That you Mohammed Mustapha Sallah and Saleh Haruna sometimes between 2013 and 2014 at Bauchi, Bauchi State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court criminally “forged” a public government document and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 364 of the Penal Code  and punishable under  364 of the Penal Code Law.”

“While Gilbert pleaded “guilty” to his one-count charge, prompting prosecution counsel, A.M Labaran to pray the court to convict and sentence him accordingly, though the defence counsel, Yusuf Ali pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, Haruna pleaded “guilty” only to count-two of his charges, prompting prosecution counsel M.Ugbe  to pray the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.

“Justice Kereng afterwards one-year (sic) convicted and sentenced Gilbert to one-year imprisonment with an option of fine of N60,000, while Justice Abubakar convicted and sentenced Haruna to five years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) and adjourned till July 8, 2024, for hearing on count one of the charges.

“Gilbert’s journey to prison began when his victim petitioned the EFCC after realizing that he had been defrauded over a non-existing Nigerian Correctional Services’ (NCS) job while all efforts to get his money back proved abortive.  Haruna, on the other hand, bagged his imprisonment when a petitioner alleged that he conspired with one Mohammed Mustapha Sallah to defraud him of the sum of N950,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) being payment for a landed property, which he neither took possession of nor his money returned to him.

“Meanwhile, the Gombe Zonal Command of the EFCC on June 25, 2024, arraigned Haruna’s alleged accomplice, Mohammed Mustapha Sallah before Justice Abubakar. He is facing prosecution on three-count charges, bordering on conspiracy, forgery and intent to defraud.

“One of the counts reads: “That you Mohammed Mustapha Sallah sometimes between 2013 and 2014 at Bauchi, Bauchi State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did with intent to defraud induce one Ismaila Abdullahi  to deliver to you the sum of N950,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only) as payment for a landed property belonging to you Mohammed Mustapha Sallah which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006.”

“He pleaded “not guilty” to all three count charges, following which prosecution counsel, M.Ugbe asked the court for a trial date, adjournment and for the defendant to be remanded in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Service, (NCS), while the defence counsel, Mohammed Hassan pleaded for a short adjournment to fast-track the defendant’s release on bail.”

“Justice Abubakar remanded Sallah in Bauchi State  Correctional Centre and adjourned the case till July 8, 2024 for hearing of his bail application.”

This is the sad tale of how Nick Imudia, a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of Konga, one of Nigeria’s e-commerce giants, committed suicide in his home.

Nick, who was until his death, the CEO of D.light, a leading innovator in the distribution and financing of residential solar energy solutions and transformational household products, killed himself on the night of Tuesday, June 25, by jumping from the balcony of his Lekki, Lagos apartment.

Before making the jump, he had called his US-based brother to give him instructions on how to distribute his wealth should anything happen to him.

He also called his young daughter from a previous relationship and told her he would always be there for her and that all she needed to do was to look in the sky and he would see her.

His friends, family and associates are in shock as to why he would commit suicide.

No one is sure why he took his own life.

From the Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nick was previously married to the mother of his young daughter who was also from the same local government with him.

The marriage ended due to irreconcilable differences.

He gave love a second chance when he got married to a Caucasian.

Everyone assumed he had reached his zen only to wake up to news of his suicide.

Before Konga, Nick had stints with TCL/Alcatel as a regional director and Microsoft Device and Services as the GM/MD for West and Central Africa.

Credit: The Will.

In a significant legal development, the Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed charges against celebrity bartender Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, related to the alleged abuse of the naira.

The decision, announced on Tuesday, follows the adoption of a settlement agreement between the parties involved in the case.

Okechukwu had been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 17, facing accusations of spraying and tampering with Naira notes during a social event at Eko Hotel in Lagos.

Despite pleading not guilty, he was granted bail set at N10 million.

During the recent court session on May 2, Okechukwu’s defense counsel, Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), informed the court of ongoing efforts to settle the matter under the provisions of the EFCC Act.

After seeking permission, he requested the withdrawal of a preliminary objection filed by the defense, which the court granted without opposition from the prosecution.

Consequently, the court adjourned proceedings until June 5 to await a settlement report.

However, on June 5, the case could not proceed as scheduled due to the absence of the defense counsel, who had sent a letter requesting an adjournment.

Subsequently, the court rescheduled the case for June 25 to receive a settlement update.

During the Tuesday session, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari represented the prosecution, while Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN) represented the defense.

Mrs. Buhari informed the court that the prosecution had submitted terms of settlement dated June 24, which were endorsed by both parties.

In response, the defense counsel affirmed his agreement with the prosecutor’s statements and likewise adopted the terms of settlement.

He expressed gratitude to the court for its consideration and noted that certain obligations outlined in the settlement terms had already been fulfilled.

The defense counsel urged the court to issue orders dismissing the case accordingly.

In a brief ruling, the court stated: “Upon the mutual agreement of the prosecution and defense under the provisions of the EFCC Establishment Act, and with the presented agreement before the court, this charge is hereby dismissed, and the defendant is cautioned.”