Crime & Court
Drug Bust: Businessmen, Hotel Attendant Nabbed in Abuja, Lagos
Two Lagos businessmen, ThankGod Emenike and Chidike Prince, have been apprehended for concealing cocaine and heroin in their bodies while boarding flights to Hong Kong and France respectively.
The suspects were detained by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, on Friday, October 20th, and Saturday, October 21st.
Also, arrested by NDLEA operatives is Agbo Tochukwu, who was found with a consignment of 58 parcels of skunk, weighing 29.10 kilograms, as he tried to board a flight to Oman.
NDLEA Spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this information in a statement on Sunday, stating that Tochukwu was apprehended at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.
“Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have detained two businessmen at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, with consignments of cocaine and heroin concealed in their bodies, destined for Hong Kong and France,” the statement read.
“ThankGod Chimamkpa Emenike, 38, was arrested at the boarding gate of the Abuja airport on Friday, October 20th, during the departure of passengers on Air France flight 818 to Paris. Another passenger, 41-year-old Agbo Chidike Prince, was taken into NDLEA custody on Saturday, October 21st, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 950 to Hong Kong via Addis Ababa.
“They were both apprehended and detained after body scans revealed they had ingested illicit drugs. After several days in custody and multiple excretions, Emenike excreted 72 wraps of heroin weighing 1.171 kilograms, while Chidike discharged 49 pellets of cocaine with a total weight of 998.53 grams. In his statement, Chidike claimed to be a businessman dealing in spare parts at the Alaba International market in the Ojo area of Lagos. He mentioned that he was to receive N3.5 million, which he intended to use for importing goods from Hong Kong.”
Tochukwu revealed that he was working as a hotel attendant in Oman before getting involved in drug trafficking, Babafemi added.
Babafemi stated that the agency, in various operations across the country, intercepted no less than 2,197 kilograms of illicit drugs in Ondo and 541 kilograms of illicit drugs in Oyo and Lagos.
He further stated, “Meanwhile, a total of 2,197 kilograms of skunk were seized in four interdiction operations in parts of Ondo state over four days. This included 1,165.5 kilograms seized in Uso, Owo LGA on Wednesday, October 25th, and a consignment of 691 kilograms recovered from Ukugu forest in Ipele on the previous day, Tuesday, October 24th. A suspect, Ifeanyi Abuguja, 32, was arrested with 87 kilograms of the same substance on Monday, October 23rd, at Agula Road, Ogbese, Akure North LGA, while 253.5 kilograms were recovered at Ogbese market in Akure North LGA on Thursday, October 26th.
“In Oyo state, two suspects, Ayo Dele, 19, and Olaitan Ahmed, 23, were apprehended with 160 grams of cannabis at a drug joint in Nalende area of Ibadan metropolis on Sunday, October 22nd. A subsequent operation at their warehouse in the same area led to the discovery of 332 kilograms of the same substance.
“Furthermore, operatives of the Lagos Command of the Agency intercepted and recovered a vehicle loaded with 209 kilograms of Loud in the Okun Ajah area of the state on Monday, October 23rd. In Gombe, on Saturday, October 28th, counterparts of the agency discovered an abandoned consignment of 401 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 392 kilograms and 21,000 capsules of tramadol at Tumfure area of the state.”
Crime & Court
Bloggers Denied Bail Over Alleged Blackmail of GTCO, CEO, Citing Repeat Offenses
Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered an accelerated trial of four bloggers accused of defaming and cyberstalking the management of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), including its Group CEO, Mr. Segun Agbaje.
The defendants—Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—face a 10-count amended charge for allegedly publishing false and defamatory content about GTCO on various social media platforms.
During proceedings on November 13 and 14, Justice Faji dismissed their bail applications, citing the severity of the charges, which carry potential penalties of up to 14 years in prison.
The judge specifically noted that Precious Eze had previously been charged with a similar offense in another court and was on bail at the time of the alleged actions, demonstrating a likelihood of reoffending.
Justice Faji emphasized the destabilizing impact such actions could have on the banking sector, pointing to the cross-border nature of some of the allegations.
“The regulatory oversight of institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should not be undermined by false claims,” the judge remarked, referencing GTCO’s CBN-approved audited statements.
At the previous hearing, defense counsel Afolabi Adeniyi had urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, arguing that the defendants were ready to stand trial.
However, the prosecution counsel, Chief Aribisala, SAN, opposed the motion, raising concerns about the defendants potentially absconding and stressing the need for a swift trial.
In his ruling, Justice Faji rejected the defense’s plea, ordering an expedited trial to address the case’s significant implications for the financial industry.
The trial has been adjourned to December 10 and 12 for continuation.
Crime & Court
EFCC Chair Raises Alarm on Rampant Fraud in Nigeria’s Electricity Sector
Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has raised concerns over widespread corruption in Nigeria’s electricity sector, attributing frequent national grid failures to fraudulent practices involving substandard materials.
Olukoyede made these remarks on Tuesday during a visit from the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
He revealed that ongoing investigations in the power sector had exposed disturbing levels of malpractice, often resulting in compromised infrastructure and recurrent grid collapses.
“As I am talking to you now, we are grappling with electricity. If you see some of the investigations we are carrying out within the power sector, you will shed tears,” Olukoyede stated.
He further explained that contractors awarded projects to supply electrical equipment were substituting recommended materials with cheaper, inferior alternatives.
“People who were awarded contracts to supply electricity equipment, instead of using what they call 9.0 gauge, they will buy 5.0,” he said, noting that such fraudulent practices contribute significantly to the country’s unstable power supply.
“So, every time you see the thing tripping off gets burnt, and all of that, it’s part of our problems.”
The EFCC boss disclosed that the agency would be intensifying efforts toward crime prevention rather than focusing solely on asset recovery.
He emphasized that future scrutiny would prioritize spending by government ministries and agencies to curb misappropriation at the source.
Crime & Court
Nigerian Man Wanted for Child’s Murder Added to U.S. Marshals’ “15 Most Wanted” List, $25,000 Reward Offered
A Nigerian man, Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, 48, is now among the U.S. Marshals Service’s “15 Most Wanted” list.
Authorities are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for any information that results in his arrest.
He is sought on charges including first-degree murder, causing serious bodily harm to a child, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, according to a report on the U.S. Marshals Service’s website.
Olawusi was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of causing serious bodily harm to a child after emergency personnel in Providence, Rhode Island, found his 3-month-old son with severe injuries on April 3, 2017.
The infant was in cardiac arrest and needed resuscitation to restore a pulse. A medical examination later revealed the child had 18 injuries in various stages of healing, consistent with prolonged abuse.
These injuries included a skull fracture, severe brain injury, and fractures to the ribs, clavicle, and limbs. Tragically, the child died six months later, despite life support efforts.
Providence Police initially arrested Olawusi on April 20, 2017, on charges of first-degree child abuse. He was released the same day but fled after the child’s death on October 31, 2017, at which point the charge was upgraded to murder.
In June 2017, Olawusi reportedly left the United States from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, traveling to Nigeria on his Nigerian passport. Authorities suspect he may be receiving support from relatives in Nigeria and have voiced concerns that he could pose a danger to other children.
“Mr. Olawusi is wanted for the abuse and murder of an innocent child, and has fled the country to avoid justice,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis.
“We have placed Mr. Olawusi on our 15 Most Wanted list due to the heinous crimes he’s committed and the threat he continues to pose to the public. The USMS will exhaust all resources necessary to bring him to justice for his family and the community.”
Olawusi, also known as Olekun Olawusi, is described as approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing around 185 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Authorities encourage anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332) or via the USMS Tips App.
The “15 Most Wanted” fugitive programme, established in 1983, identifies some of the most dangerous and high-profile fugitives in the U.S. Known for their extensive criminal backgrounds, these fugitives often pose significant risks to public safety.
Since its creation, the programme has led to the capture of over 250 high-risk individuals, including murderers, sex offenders, and organized crime figures.
In collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Marshals Service plays a crucial role in fugitive investigations.
In fiscal year 2023 alone, USMS-led fugitive task forces arrested over 73,000 fugitives and resolved nearly 86,000 warrants, demonstrating their commitment to public safety and justice.
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