Crime
Unknown Gunmen Kill Two Cops, Wound Another In Ebonyi
Yet-to-be-identified gunmen on Friday, in Nwofe, Izzi Local Government Area, attacked a team of Policemen on duty, killing two and injuring one in the process.
Biztellers reports that the affected officers, were part of a patrol team on surveillance, under the Ebonyi State Police Command, near the state capital, Abakaliki.
Police Public Relations Officer, Ebonyi State Police Command, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the incident, and offered details in a statement on Friday.
The statement read, “Today 17/11/2023 at about 08:30 am, operatives of the Command on patrol at Nwofe Road at the outskirt of Abakaliki were attacked by armed hoodlums using a tinted Highlander vehicle with registration number unknown.
“Two of the operatives were fatally wounded while one is currently receiving medical treatment at the hospital.
“The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Police Command, CP Augustina Ogbodo, psc, on receiving the distress call immediately dispatched tactical teams to the scene, who equally swung into action by giving the hoodlums a hot chase but the hoodlums escaped.
“The Commissioner of Police also visited the scene of the incident with her management team for on-the-spot Assessment. She is using this medium to call on well-meaning individuals of the state to avail the command with useful information that can lead to the arrest of the fleeing hoodlums while assuring them of round-the-clock visibility patrol of the nooks and crannies of the state.”
Crime
HICC Pastor, Bolaji Idowu Arrested For Alleged Real Estate Fraud, Money Laundering
Bolaji Idowu, the Lead Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Center (HICC), is currently being interrogated by operatives from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja.
Sources close to the investigation reveal that Idowu, known for his “Next-Level Prayer Conference,” was arrested in connection with allegations of real estate fraud and money laundering.
A top police source confirmed the arrest, stating, “The Next Level Prayer Conference, Pastor Bolaji Idowu, has been arrested by the police, and he is being grilled in Abuja over real estate fraud and money laundering.”
“He is at the FCID Abuja as we speak,” another source added.
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Idowu founded Harvesters International Christian Center in December 2003, which has since grown into a global congregation with locations in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
According to the church’s website, the ministry attracts over 70,000 worshippers both online and on-site.
Beyond his pastoral duties, Pastor Idowu is known for his “Next Level Prayer Conference,” a platform aimed at helping individuals build a stronger prayer life, with participants joining both in person and virtually.
Crime
Court Issues Bench Warrant For Ex-AMCON MD In Arik Air Fraud Case
The arraignment of Ahmed Kuru, the former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), was delayed on Monday after he failed to appear in court.
Kuru, who is facing a six-count charge, was to be arraigned for alleged theft of property belonging to Arik Air and abuse of office.
Kuru, along with the current Managing Director of Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu; the receiver manager of Arik, Kamilu Omokide; Union Bank Plc; and the company Super Bravo Limited, were set to appear before Justice Mojisola Dada at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.
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The charges are being brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The complaints were filed by Arik’s founder, Johnson Arumemi, and its shareholders, with their petition signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana. The charges allege various acts of fraud, theft, and abuse of office.
In the first charge, Union Bank is accused of making false statements to AMCON, inducing an unwarranted sale of Arik Air’s loans, and falsely reporting the status of the airline’s loans.
This led to the transfer of a fake sum of N71 billion to AMCON, an act considered a violation of Section 96 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
In count two, Kuru, Omokide, and Ilegbodu are alleged to have fraudulently converted N4.9 billion to the benefit of NG Eagle Limited, a company they are accused of setting up for personal gain.
This is considered theft by fraudulent conversion, violating Section 278(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
Count three involves Captain Roy Ilegbodu, who is accused of stealing N22.5 million in May 2024 and converting it for the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed, in breach of Arik Air’s property rights.
Kuru and Omokide face further charges in count four, which accuses them of abusing their public office in July 2019 to incorporate NG Eagle Limited for undue personal benefit, a violation of Section 73 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
In count five, Kamilu Omokide, Ahmed Kuru, and Captain Roy Ilegbodu are accused of authorizing the destruction of a $31.5 million aircraft, 5N-JEA, in February 2022, an arbitrary act that harmed Arik Air and Nigeria’s economic stability.
Count six accuses Omokide, Kuru, and Super Bravo Limited of dishonestly converting three Boeing aircraft belonging to Arik Air to the use of Super Bravo Limited in November 2023, amounting to theft by dishonestly taking property.
Due to Kuru’s absence from the court proceedings, Justice Dada issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Authorities have been instructed to locate and bring him to court.
The case, which involves key figures in the aviation and banking sectors, is under close scrutiny as the EFCC continues its investigation into the alleged financial crimes.
Crime
Critic of Bayelsa Governor, John Idumangi Remanded In Okaka Prison
John Idumangi, a vocal critic of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, has been remanded at the Okaka Correctional Centre following an application presented at the Magistrate Court 10 in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Idumangi faces charges of “criminal defamation of character, publishing seditious publications, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace,” allegedly directed at Governor Diri and his wife, Gloria Diri.
The accusations stem from content posted by Idumangi on his social media platforms and other outlets.
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The Nigerian Police arrested Idumangi on December 1, 2024, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, before transporting him to Bayelsa for further investigation.
The Magistrate Court has ordered his remand, with the case adjourned to December 23, 2024, for further proceedings.