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Two Internet Fraudsters Bag Two Years Jail Term Each In Port Harcourt

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Justice S. Pam of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters, Emmanuel Wisdom and Donald Etege to two years imprisonment each.

The court found them guilty of impersonation and obtaining money under false pretence.

They were jailed on Tuesday , October 29, 2024 upon being arraigned by the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on one-count separate charge  bordering on obtaining money under false pretence and impersonation.

ALSO READ: Awka Court Jails 34 Internet Fraudsters

The lone count against Etege reads:
“That you Donald Etege sometime in 2024 in Port Harcourt Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with the intent to defraud obtained the total sum of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars Only ($1,500) from one Lisa Ricks under the pretence that you are a Bitcoin Trader, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the said Act.

The count against Wisdom reads;
That you, Emmanuel Wisdom [a.k.a Sam Freidrich] between the 10th day of August and the 1st day of October, 2024, in Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, obtained the sum of One Thousand, Two Hundred United States of America Dollars ($1,200) from one Tony Grozdan, as investment in cryptocurrency trade, which you claimed to have the capacity to manage and yield profit thereon, which pretext you  knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (b) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Same Act.

They both pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them separately.

In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel:  K. W. Chukwuma-Eneh and E. K. Bakam called witnesses, tendered some documents as evidences which were admitted by the court and marked as exhibits.

They prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.

Counsel to the defendants: O. F. Nwogu and C. Christopher did not oppose the prayers by the prosecution. They rather prayed the court to temper justice with mercy stressing that the defendants are first time offenders with no previous criminal records.

Justice Pam convicted and sentenced the defendants to two years imprisonment each or an option of fine of  N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira ) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The judge also ordered that all the phones recovered from them should be forfeited to the government,  being  proceeds of crime.

In addition, they were  also ordered to depose an affidavit of good behaviour before the court.

Etege and Wisdom started their journey to the Correctional Service when they were both arrested by operatives of the Commission sometime in October, 2024 for internet fraud and other fraud-related activities.

They were charged to court and convicted.

Crime

How Two Lagos Men Allegedly Obtained N115m Under False Pretences

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The Lagos State Police Command has declared two men, Tomiloye Sunday and Oloyede Olowoyo, wanted over an alleged N115 million fraud.

The suspects were declared wanted by the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, following allegations that they conspired with others still at large to obtain N115 million from a complainant under false pretences.

SEE MORE: Lagos Police Nab Man For Allegedly Stabbing Wife To Death

Separate wanted notices issued by the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday detailed the allegations against the two men.

According to the police, Sunday is wanted over alleged conspiracy, fraud, forgery, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.

The command alleged that Sunday conspired with other suspects, who are still at large, to fraudulently obtain N115 million from the complainant.

The police notice partly read, “The above-named person is hereby declared WANTED by the Nigeria Police Force in connection with conspiracy, fraud, forgery, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.

“The suspect is alleged to have conspired with others at large to fraudulently obtain the sum of N115,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifteen Million Naira) under the pretence of the complainant.”

Olowoyo was also declared wanted over allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

The police alleged that he similarly conspired with others at large to fraudulently obtain N115 million from the complainant.

The notice stated, “The above-named person is hereby declared WANTED by the Nigeria Police Force in connection with allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

“The suspect is alleged to have conspired with others at large to fraudulently obtain the sum of N115,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifteen Million Naira) under the pretence of the complainant.”

The police identified Sunday’s last known address as Ikorodu, Lagos, and described him as a short, medium-built Yoruba man with a round face, upturned nose, small mouth, thin lips and dark complexion. He was also said to be bald.

Olowoyo’s last known address was given as No. 1, Commercial Avenue, Highway Barracks, Sabo, Lagos.

He was described as a heavy-built Yoruba man with a round face, long pointed nose, medium mouth, thick lips, prominent eyes and light complexion.

The command urged anyone with information about the whereabouts of either suspect to report to the nearest police station or the SCID, Musiliu Smith Street, Panti, Yaba, Lagos.

Members of the public can also contact the police on 07073457317.
The allegations against the two men have not been established in court.

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Crime

Ikire Killings: Adeleke Establishes Commission for Coroner Inquiry by Executive Order

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Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has issued an Executive Order establishing a Coroner Inquest/Panel of Inquiry into the killings, shootings, injuries and violence reported at Naira and Kobo Junction, Motor Park/Garage Area, Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, on August 24, 2026.

The Executive Order, which takes effect on August 31st, 2026, empowers the panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, determine the identities and number of victims, establish the immediate and remote causes of the violence, and examine whether criminal responsibility is connected to the deaths.

This was detailed in a government house statement on Saturday in Osogbo, which set it out that Magistrate Ayokunle Shiyanbola has been appointed Chairman of the Coroner Inquest/Panel, with Mr. Abiodun Badiora as Secretary.

Other members include AIG (Dr)) Aderanti C Kayode, mni (Rtd), Mr. Dele Akintayo, a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association, Comrade Wale Balogun representing Civil Society Organisations, a community representative from Ikire, and Dr Babatunde Afolabi as Medical/Forensic Representative.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Mourns Eagle Online Publisher, Dotun Oladipo

The panel is mandated to determine the circumstances leading to the shootings and killings, examine the role of security operatives, establish whether live ammunition or other weapons were used and whether their use complied with the law, rules of engagement and human rights standards.

It is also empowered to identify any individual, group, security personnel, political actor, transport union member, public official or other person whose action or omission may have contributed to the incident.

The panel may recommend prosecution, disciplinary measures, compensation for victims and institutional reforms to prevent recurrence.

The inquiry will have powers to summon witnesses, demand relevant police and medical records, inspect the scene of the incident and other relevant locations, receive oral and documentary evidence, and recommend protective measures for witnesses and persons at risk of intimidation or retaliation.

Gov Adeleke also directed the preservation of firearms, ammunition records, station diaries, communication logs, incident reports, duty rosters, medical records, autopsy reports, photographs, videos and other materials relevant to the inquiry.

The Executive Order further calls for appropriate measures to protect witnesses and victims’ families, obtain medical and forensic documentation, and maintain peace in Ikire pending the conclusion of the inquiry.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Osun State Commissioner of Police were by the Executive Order formally requested to take appropriate interim administrative steps concerning any police officer whose continued operational command may prejudice the inquiry or affect public confidence.

The panel is expected to commence sitting within seven days of its inauguration and submit its final report to the Osun State Government within 30 days from the date of its first sitting, subject to any necessary extension approved by the Governor.

The government has invited victims’ families, eyewitnesses, journalists, transport workers, police officers, medical personnel, civil society organisations, political parties, community leaders, human rights activists and other concerned persons to submit memoranda and evidence to the panel.

The Governor assured the people of Ikire, families of the deceased, the injured and the general public that the incident would be investigated thoroughly, fairly and transparently.

The Executive Order states that no person found culpable shall be shielded from justice, irrespective of status, office, political connection or institutional affiliation, while stressing that all allegations remain allegations until established by credible evidence before the Coroner Inquest/Panel.

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Crime

N59m Withdrawn After Father’s Death as Ondo Commission Arrests Son, Mother

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Ondo State

The Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption Commission (SPFACC) has arrested a middle-aged man identified as Tunde and his mother over the alleged withdrawal and diversion of N59 million from the bank account of his late father.

The development followed a petition by the only surviving child of the deceased, who lives abroad and returned to Nigeria after his father, stepmother and two half-siblings died within one week in August 2024.

SEE MORE: Ondo Shock: 23-Year-Old Son Allegedly Hacks 60-Year-Old Mother to Death

According to a family source, the deceased died on August 11, 2024, while his first wife died three days later, on August 14.

One of their children reportedly died on August 16, while the other, who lived in Ore, died on August 18.

The cause of the four deaths has not been officially established.

Confirming the investigation, SPFACC Secretary, Prof. Adewole Adeyeye, said the commission swung into action after the surviving child discovered that N59 million belonging to his late father had been withdrawn after his death.

Adeyeye said the suspect, who is the son of the deceased’s second wife, was arrested alongside his mother.

He added that the suspect admitted withdrawing the money but denied any involvement in the deaths of his father, stepmother and half-siblings.

“The man died on the 11th, the first wife died on the 14th, the first child died on the 16th, while the last child, who lived in Ore, died on the 18th.

“The only child who survived was the one living abroad. He returned and went to the bank, where he discovered that his late father had N59 million which was withdrawn after his death.

“We swung into action and the culprit and his mother have been arrested,” Adeyeye said.
The commission also disclosed that the deceased left behind several properties, including about four buildings, lock-up shops, a resort centre and plots of land.

The suspect was also accused of selling some of the properties.

According to Adeyeye, the commission has so far recovered N10 million from the proceeds of the alleged transactions.

He said the matter was being treated as a family dispute involving the alleged misappropriation of jointly inherited assets.

“It is a collective family property which was misappropriated by one person.
“We are paying great attention to the family and are trying to settle the matter amicably, since it is a family matter,” he said.

However, the commission stressed that it had not established any connection between the alleged withdrawal or diversion of the deceased’s assets and the deaths of the four family members.

Adeyeye said the commission, under its Chairman, Justice Williams Akin Akintoroye, would continue to investigate petitions involving alleged corruption and financial crimes in the state.

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