Crime
Texas: FBI Nabs Nigerian LGA Chairman For Multi-Million-Dollar Online Fraud
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, a newly elected chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area in Nigeria, on charges connected to an alleged romance fraud scheme worth over $3.3 million.
The arrest occurred when Nwadialo, 40, arrived at a Texas airport from Nigeria.
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Nwadialo was indicted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington in December 2023, where he faces 14 counts of wire fraud.
The indictment accuses him of posing as a romantic partner, claiming to be a U.S. military member deployed overseas to gain trust and deceive multiple victims out of millions of dollars.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, Nwadialo allegedly posed as a deployed U.S. military officer under various aliases, including “Giovanni,” to defraud victims he met on dating websites such as Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café.
By presenting himself as a distant yet attentive romantic partner, he persuaded his victims to wire him large sums, often citing urgent military fines, family tragedies, or other fabricated financial needs.
U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman noted the challenges posed by prosecuting overseas romance scams, acknowledging the tenacity required to secure Nwadialo’s arrest.
“All too often, the defendants in these romance scams are overseas and unreachable by U.S. law enforcement,” she stated, commending investigators for their persistence.
The indictment outlines multiple cases of alleged fraud. In one instance, Nwadialo reportedly convinced a victim to transfer $2.4 million, citing a fictitious $150,000 military fine for disclosing his location.
In another case, a victim transferred $330,000, believing she was helping him manage finances related to his father’s death.
Additional victims reportedly lost hundreds of thousands, persuaded to invest in cryptocurrency accounts Nwadialo claimed to manage or to cover supposed family expenses.
The charges, which remain allegations at this stage, carry a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud.
Gorman emphasized that Nwadialo, like all defendants, is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The FBI is leading the investigation, with Assistant United States Attorney Sok Jiang prosecuting the case.
. . . 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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