Crime
Travel Agent Arraigned for Visa Fraud
By Funmilayo Olusanya
A 45-year-old travel agent, Oguntomeso Olakitan, has been arraigned before an Osogbo magistrate court for alleged Canadian, Turkish and South Korean Visa Fraud.
The suspect who hails from Nasarawa state was ducked on Wednesday on two count-charge edging on fraud and theft.
Police prosecutor, ASP Fagboyinbo Abiodun told the court that the defendant engaged in fraud and thereby committed an offence contrary to the law.
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The charge sheet obtained by our correspondent read that, “You Oguntomeso Olakitan sometimes in the year 2018 at Osogbo, Osun State, in the Osogbo Magisterial District, did unlawfully obtain the sum of one million, three hundred thousand naira (#1,300,000:00k) from one Ijiwumi Opeoluwa Israel under this pretence of procuring Canada, South Korea and Turkey Visa for him, a pretence you know to be false and thereby committed an onenics intrary to and punishable under Section 419 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Voll Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
“You Oguntomeso Olakitane on the same date, time, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal the sum of one million, three hundred thousand naira (#1,300,000:00k) property of one Ijiwumi Opeoluwa Israel and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 390(9) Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.Il Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.”
The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to the alleged offences.
Defense counsel, Barrister Okobie Nagite urged the court to grant the accused bail on most simple terms adding that he will be available for his trial.
The presiding magistrate, O.A Daramola (Mrs) granted the defendant’s bail with N500,000 and two sureties in like sum.
Daramola adjourned the case to November 11, for hearing.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.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………..
Crime
Arrested Boko Haram Suspects: Adeleke Commends Security Operatives, Assures Safety Of Residents
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commended the personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), on the successful operation, that led to the arrest of 10 suspected members of Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State.
Gov Adeleke expressed his feelings in a statement on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday.
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According to the statement, Gov Adeleke hailed the alertness of security operatives, to eliminate the threats posed by the suspected terrorists, which gives further assurance that our security agencies are up to the task of sustaining peace and security of every part of Nigeria.
He particularly commended the intelligence gathering of the personnel of the State Service, who have painstakingly monitor the activities of the suspected criminals and moved swiftly to cut off their dastardly act.
“This is a welcome development and a big relief, not just for us as a government but to the people of the state and Nigeria in general. I commend the security operatives for their alertness and intelligence driven operation. We have absolute confidence in our security forces to keep protecting us”, Gov Adeleke declared.
He assured that his administration will continue to cooperate with security agencies and support their operations to ensure maximum protection of lives and property of Osun people, noting that this remains top of his priority.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I will continue to give priority to issues of security of my people. I will continue to support efforts of security agencies to guard against any breakdown of law and order in any part of Osun. We will sustain the good relationship and collaboration that currently exists between our administration and the security agencies in the state” the Governor noted.
Gov Adeleke enjoined residents of Osun to continue to be watchful, and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to relevant security agency, while assuring that Osun will continue to be a peaceful state under his watch.
“I hereby call on my people to continue to live in peace and harmony and be at alert to report any suspicious activities or behavior around them to the relevant security authorities. Together, we will ensure that Osun remains the most peaceful state in Nigeria” he concluded.
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