EFCC Arrests Ex-Convict, 11 Others For Internet Fraud In Benin

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  Benin Zonal Command on Thursday,  January 12, 2023 arrested 12 (twelve) suspected internet fraudsters in Benin- City, Edo State.

Among those arrested is Okunrobo Smart who was convicted in 2022 for internet fraud. Others are Edobor Francis Tobilola, Peace Omo Bartholomew, Justice Osagie Beggedo, Samuel Okosun, Uche Divine, Christopher Lawani Iwinosa, Osayi Gregory, Anthony Irabor, Olaleye Favour, Osagie Hope Godstime, and Desmond Ehator Osorumwense.

They were arrested at their hideout in Benin City,  following actionable intelligence.

Items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest include mobile phones, laptops and a Mercedes Benz C300.

The suspects will be arraigned in court soon.

Meanwhile,  Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court, Benin City on Wednesday January 18, 2023 convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters to six years imprisonment for fraud.

The duo of Osemudiamen Aganjile and Ekoh Godswill were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission on separate one count charge of personation and intent to defraud.

The charge against Aganjile reads: 

That you OSEMUDIAMEN AGANJILE (M) sometime between 2021 to 1st September, 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be LUCAS SCOTT from United State of America and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap. 48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (As Applicable in Edo State), 1976.

The charge against Godswill reads: 

That you EKOH GODSWILL (M) sometime between 2021 to 9th September, 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be MARTHA FX, a verified and legitimate Bitcoin Trader and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap. 48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (As Applicable in Edo State), 1976.

Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges.

In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, I.K. Agwa prayed the court to convict and sentence  them accordingly.  However, the defence counsel, S.A.Aichienede pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first-time offenders who have become remorseful for their actions.

Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced the duo to three years imprisonment each with an option of N200, 000 ( Two Hundred Thousand Naira)  fine.

The convicts are to forfeit  their phones and the balance of  Three Million, Six Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty Six (N3,677,986) found in Aganjile’s  UBA and First Bank account; and the sum of N767,677 (  Seven Hundred and Sixty Seven Thousand,  Six Hundred and Seventy Seven Naira) in Godswill's Sterling Bank account,  being  proceeds of crime to the Federal government of Nigeria  through the  EFCC.

The defendants are to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.

The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were arrested by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for internet-related Benin.  They were charged to court and convicted.

Shocking! Nigerian Professor, Woman Found Dead In US Over Alleged Domestic Violence

Nigerian professor in the US, Marinus Iwuchukwu, and a woman identified as Charce Dunn were found dead in Pittsburg Pennsylvania on Tuesday, 17 January.

Their bodies were found along Thorncrest Drive, Wilkins Township, Pittsburg after an alleged “domestic disturbance” around 10 am. 

According to the Allegheny County Police, neighbours called officers to check on the well-being of a couple inside their home. The police said it received information that the male occupant had been stabbed while the female occupant had a gun on her.

The SWAT team made entry into the home and found the 59-year-old man identified as Iwuchukwu and the 50-year-old woman dead.

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Both of them appeared to have sustained lacerations, and the woman sustained an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound

According to the police, the incident is being investigated as a suspected m¥rder-su!cide.

Reacting to the development, Duquesne Catholic University, where Iwuchukwu worked as an associate professor of theology until his death, commiserated with the family and friends of the late don.

“This is a tragedy for all involved and our thoughts and prayers are with Professor Iwuchukwu’s colleagues, students, friends, and loved ones,” the University spokesman Gabriel Welsch said in a statement.

Late Iwuchukwu was an Associate Professor of Theology at the Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He specialized in interreligious dialogue, inclusive religious pluralism, and media and religion.

Prior to coming to Duquesne University, he was a lecturer in Kano state where he taught undergrad courses in world religions and culture; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; and dialogue among religions.

2023: Makinde Takes Campaign To Lagelu, Promises To Localise Industries In The Zone

Oyo State governor, 'Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, took his campaign tour of local governments to Lagelu Local Government, where he declared that his administration will localise industries in the area if re-elected.

The governor said that doing so would help to boost the state’s economy. 

While addressing the traditional council of the local government in Lalupon, Governor Makinde berated how notable industries such as the Nigerian Gas Cylinder, Exide Battery, Leyland, among others, have gone moribund in the local government, saying there was the need to revive industrialisation in the local government and that his government would see to that under Omituntun 2.0.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor appreciated the traditional rulers for supporting his government since he was sworn-in as the governor of the state.

He pledged to follow due process and promote lower grade Baales that are due for promotion in the state, in line with the request of the traditional council.

Speaking on the reconstruction of the  91km Ibadan-Iwo-Osogbo Road, which is to be jointly executed by Oyo and Osun states, Governor Makinde declared that the contractor would move to site within the next three weeks.

The governor also expressed concern over the poor state of energy supply to the area, promising that the issue shall be solved in due cause.

The governor, who also met with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the League of Imams and Alfas and the traditional worshippers in Lagelu Local Government at different locations, reiterated that he will continue to be fair to all religious bodies.

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He said: “I thank you for the support you gave me since this government started.

“I have noted all your requests and I can assure you that most of the issues will be sorted out, as we are also aware of them. You talked about the issue of beaded crowns but I will say that those who planned to reform our traditional institutions made a mistake. And my stand is, no matter how influential a governor is, he cannot understand some internal issues. 

“No governor can reform traditional institution because it has to come from inside. This was the same thing I told them at Akinyele. We need to go back to the drawing board and reverse the status quo.

“If the reform is to be done, all of you must agree to it because it must be done internally, and when you are done, bring it to me for approval.

“Concerning the issue of percentage for traditional leaders, since I came in, we have never defaulted in payment of salaries to you, though it may actually not be enough. For us, we have ensured that the traditional rulers also get paid the same day civil servants get their salary.

“On the issue of whether it is gross or net, one thing I can promise is that we will look at it and see if we can even pay up to 10 per cent and we will do it and pay it before the end of this tenure.

“You also tabled the matter of those who are due for an upgrade. The local government chairman is supposed to run it through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy titles. I can tell you that I have not seen any file on that and I believe there is a process to be followed on the matter. Once that is done and it the file gets to me, I assure you that I will sign it.”

The governor, who visited the home of popular Ibadan politician, Alhaji Busari Adelakun popularly known as Eruobodo, also said his government would look into the request on electricity supply to Ejioku.

Speaking further on the Ibadan-Iwo Road, the governor said “we have awarded the road and you witnessed it when we flagged it off in Osogbo but government changed in Osun State after then. 

“We are still waiting for the new government to settle down and engage us.”

Governor Makinde, who rallied residents of Lagelu Local Government to vote for all candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noted that  whatever good development they have seen his administration do “is little compared to what is coming under Omituntun 2.0.”

Similarly, while speaking at Oyedeji, Oja Olorunda, Igbo Elerin, Baale Ojurin and Akobo campaign points, the governor expressed satisfaction over the massive turnout in all the places visited so far, saying that things would get even better under Omituntun 2.0.

In their remarks, the representatives of the traditional council, religious and community leaders commended Governor Makinde for being a listening governor, pledging to work for the success of his second term bid.

Tunde Ayeni Won't Fall For Sahara Reporters' Blackmail Attempt Over Paternity Tussle | By Biola Ojelade

Without mincing words, Sahara Reporters has consistently presented itself as a cesspool of deception and unethical journalism practice where spurious lies, satanic content, invective and repugnant tirade are fabricated against prominent figures who are not considered ''friends'' or those who fail to pay ''ransom'' for the platform's cheap blackmail.

Yet, the height of reckless and irresponsible journalism was again exhibited in a new year which is the falsehood recently published by Sahara Reporters particularly in a story of a purported paternity tussle between Nigerian seasoned and reputable businessman and former Chairman of defunct Skye Bank, Mr Tunde Ayeni and a female lawyer in Abuja identified as Adaobi Alagwu were involved.

How on earth will Sahara Reporters or anyone else link Tunde Ayeni with such a distasteful scandal? There is no nexus at all. This is an individual known to be a true family man, always building and living an unblemished and exemplary life over the years, a man who has nurtured a robust career in the banking industry and has established good name for himself and for his precious family too, definitely an attempt to drag his name in the mud will simply be an effort in futility. 

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It is most horrible, reprehensible and unacceptable to see Sahara Reporters quoting sources that can not be verified to substantiate their vicious claims in this latest hatchet job. Obviously this has not only become the staple diet of Sahara Reporters but a defining feature of its ugly practice of gutter journalism. So this current effort was nothing but a sensationalisation of falsehood that is taken too far.

Why did Sahara Reporters condescended so low by taking the affiliation of Tunde Ayeni with  political party or presidential candidate of his choice as their own business? It is an extension of the latter's fundamental rights to exercise his freedom of association with anyone, just like Omoyele Sowore the publisher of Sahara Reporters is also a politician and a Presidential candidate, these are alliances covered by the Nigerian law. 

Ayeni, a very reticent, humble and highly disciplined character has never entertained any extra marital affairs in his life, neither has he engaged in any abortion with Adaobi Alagwu or anyone else, similarly there is no proof to establish paternity of any child or children to him outside wedlock.

It is simply appropriate to put it on record that there is absolutely no iota of truth in any part of that gibberish published by Sahara Reporters and it is nothing but fake news. As a matter of fact it is a total fabrication put together by a desperate and unprofessional media house that seeks to destroy every member of the Tunde Ayeni's family. Sahara Reporters has a consistent record of manufacturing destructive stories about people's private life and this is nothing new, unfortunately for them they have failed woefully. 

The platform is simply a fitted junk mill which always fail to stick to the culture of weighing facts against truths and demanding the other side which are hallmarks of good and excellent reportage. One of the dictums is that as reporters you should not misinform, neither should you build figment of the imagination to tickle fancy or drive traffic to your medium, it is criminal, slanderous, and defaming.

The Sahara Reporters team has crafted numerous set of canons for its recruits; their specialty, to say the least, is taking the frontier of reporting away from facts to the inglorious realm of groundless speculation and dementia. It is an absurdly false and characterless brand of unethical and blackmail journalism whose stock in trade is falsehoods, obnoxious and villainous beer parlour gossips.

To put the record straight, Tunde Ayeni is a developer of a very significant progress in the society; very restless, a purpose-driven entrepreneur who is pushing the frontier of business, taking risks, trying new things and time has shown that he is a real goal getter who has no time for frivolity any any unproductive venture. Therefore no amount of distraction from Sahara Reporters and it's ilk will pull him down or ruin his rising and intimidating profile which has impacted the society in many positive ways.

However, Tunde Ayeni's legal team are already taking up this matter, therefore members of the public are advised to ignore Sahara  Reporters' baseless, ridiculous and desperate fabrications and treat them with the contempt and disdain that they utterly deserve.

-Ojelade is a resident of Union, New Jersey, United States of America