Crime & Court

Billionaire Kidnapper: How I foiled Evans’ attempt to kidnap my kinsman – Okpara

Published

7 years ago

September 3, 2017

A 53-year old man, who claimed to be a graduate of Civil Engineering from the University of Ibadan, Okpara Linus has narrated how he prevented billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans, from kidnapping his kinsman.

Okpara, who himself was arrested for providing information to Evans, claimed he was deceived into crime by the kidnap kingpin.

He told Vanguard thus: “I visited my home town in 2014. When I was travelling to Lagos State I took a car at Asaba. The driver of the vehicle identified himself as Doctor. He told me he was a drug peddler and promised to assist me with building contracts. He told me that he would link me to some of his rich friends.

“A few days later I got a call from a man who identified himself as Nnwachinemelu, who told me that doctor gave him my number.

“He asked me what I was into and I told him. We agreed to meet. We met at Ajao Estate, Lagos where he told me that there was a man trading at Trade Fair Complex, who was indebted to him. He said he needed me to monitor the man so that he would arrest him.

“He sent a bike to pick me up and asked that I should wait on Trade Fair Bridge and look out for the man because he had told me the colour and the plate number of the man’s vehicle.

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“When I sighted it, I called him and he asked me to follow the man. When we got to Alakija, we watched the man as he entered Festac Town. He asked us to go back, saying he would take care of the situation from that point. He asked me to go home and two days later he sent N2million into my bank account.

“About seven months after then he called again and told me that the bike man would come to my house and would take me to a place in Agbara. He said I would help him monitor the movement of a man.

We got to Agbara and waited until the man, started leaving his office and we followed him down to Alakija. Evans asked me to pull back again, saying he would take care of the situation. Two months later he called me and paid N700, 000 into my account.

‘’A few weeks after then, he asked me to go to Abule-Oshun to monitor the movement of a man who had an office there. I monitored the man and discovered that I knew the man, who is Mike Umuberede.

“I refused to give him complete information about the man because I knew him and he is from my home town. The man is the owner of Super Master electrical appliances and he had once helped me when my father fell sick.

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“I told Evans that I knew the man and he must not kidnap him but Evans got angry with me. Evans said all his men were on standby, saying they were ready to kidnap the man. I lied to him that I had alerted the man and he has contacted the Police.

“He cursed me for betraying him and threatened to kill all the members of my family. He stopped communicating with me from at that point.

“When I heard he was arrested I was glad because he is a beast and a very greedy man. I learned from the newspapers that he collected millions of dollars as ransom and he gave me peanuts. I didn’t know the Police would come after me. But I regret my actions and would turn a new leaf. But I am happy Evans has been arrested.’

Crime & Court

Judgment Reserved in Baba Ijesha’s Sexual Assault Appeal

Published

10 hours ago

April 24, 2024

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The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in the appeal filed by Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, widely known as Baba Ijesha, challenging his conviction by a State High Court over the sexual assault of a minor.

A three-man panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Folasade Ojo, reserved the appeal for judgment today after hearing arguments from both sides.

Baba Ijesha, in his notice of appeal, sought to overturn the judgment of the lower court, which on July 14, 2022, sentenced him to five years imprisonment for sexual assault on a minor.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo (rtd) of the Lagos Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court convicted Baba Ijesha after finding him guilty of four out of six counts brought against him by the Lagos State government.

The counts included indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault, among others. However, he was acquitted of sexual assault by penetration.

In response to the conviction, Baba Ijesha’s counsel, Kayode Olabiran, argued that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations and claimed his client was set up, citing circumstances surrounding the incident.

Olabiran emphasized that Baba Ijesha’s confession was made under duress and urged the appellate court to set aside the lower court’s judgment.

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On the other hand, the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins, urged the court to dismiss the appeal, asserting that the conviction was valid and supported by evidence.

Dr. Martins also reiterated the victim’s age at the time of the incident, emphasizing her status as a minor under the law.

Following the arguments presented, the Court of Appeal reserved its judgment for a later date, leaving both parties awaiting the final decision on Baba Ijesha’s appeal.

Crime & Court

Ex-Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello Alleged of Withdrawing $720,000 for Child’s School Fees

Published

10 hours ago

April 24, 2024

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Recent developments have shed light on the ongoing investigation into the actions of the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the anti-graft agency, Bello is alleged to have withdrawn $720,000 from the state’s accounts to prepay his child’s school fees just before leaving office on January 27, 2024.

Speaking to journalists at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, Chief Ola Olukoyede revealed that Bello transferred the funds from the state coffers to a Bureau de Change operator for this purpose.

Olukoyede expressed incredulity at the move, highlighting the disparity between such actions and the socio-economic conditions in a state like Kogi.

“A sitting governor, because he knew he was leaving office, moved money directly from the government to Bureau de Change (and) used it to pay his child’s school fee in advance,” Olukoyede stated, emphasizing the sum involved and the implications for governance and accountability.

Olukoyede emphasized his commitment to ensuring the thorough prosecution of Bello, asserting that he would resign as EFCC chairman if the ex-governor is not brought to justice.

Also, he pledged to hold accountable those who obstructed the arrest of Bello during a recent operation at his residence in Abuja.

Crime & Court

EFCC Declares Yahaya Bello Wanted for Alleged N80.2 Billion Financial Crime

Published

6 days ago

April 19, 2024

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Yahaya Bello wanted for an alleged financial crime to the tune of N80.2 billion,” Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency announced.

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCC for offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 Billion,” the EFCC stated in a Thursday evening Facebook post titled ‘Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello Wanted By the EFCC.’

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the Commission or the nearest police Station,” the statement continued.

This declaration follows the absence of the chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Federal High Court in Abuja earlier in the day for a suit instituted against him by the EFCC.

Consequently, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the suit and called for substituted service and the possible arraignment of Bello for alleged money laundering.