Crime & Court
Ibadan: EFCC Secures Conviction of Fraudsters, Arraigns Three
Justice Sherifat Adeyemi of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, on Wednesday, sentenced one Balaji Salami to prison for fraud.
The convict was prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on amended one-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State 2000.
The charge read: “That you Bolaji Salami sometime in March, 2020, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, obtained various gift cards, worth the sum of USD$150 (One Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars) from one Smith Johnson, a white male American citizen, when you falsely represented to him that you are a white female American by name Angelina James, that you are in love with him and wanted to marry him, which representations you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence.”
He pleaded guilty to the offence following which the judge pronounced him guilty as charged and sentenced him to six months imprisonment with effect from his June 30, 2020 date of arrest.
Apart from his prison term, he would restitute his victim, the sum of $150 USD (One Hundred and Fifty United States of American Dollars) and forfeit his iPhone X Max, Itel mobile phones and HP laptop computer to the federal government.
Similarly, Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Wednesday, October 14, sentenced one Olanrewaju Isaac Olatunji (a.k.a. Mia Cruz) to one year imprisonment for fraud. He was prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Commission on amended one-count charge of criminal impersonation.
The charge read: “That you Olanrewaju Isaac Olatunji (a.k.a. Mia Cruz) sometime in May 2019 at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to defraud, knowingly impersonated one Mia Cruz, a white female, when you falsely represented yourself to Abigail Mccaroll, in order to gain advantage for yourself, contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (ii) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015, and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the same Act.”
He pleaded guilty to the charge upon which prosecution counsel, Mabas Mabur asked the court to sentence and convict him accordingly.
The judge sentenced him to one year imprisonment with effect from February 13, 2020, day of his arrest. His is also to restitute the sum of $1600 (One Thousand Six Hundred United States Dollars) to his victim through the EFCC, and forfeit his Honda Crosstour and other items recovered from him to the federal government.
Meanwhile, the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Commission also yesterday, arraigned the trio of Adedapo Olayiwola, Adebola Aderonke Adesina and her company, Kestrel Travels and Tour Limited, before Justice Sherifat Adeyemi.
Olayiwola is being prosecuted on a five-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 1 (2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.
He is alleged to have fraudulently obtained over N4 million (Four Million Naira) from different victims on the pretence that he has plots of land to sell to them.
However, the victims, with time, discovered that the said plots of land did not belong to him.
“That you Olayiwola Adedapo sometime in 2016, in Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N1,400,000 (One Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira) from one Monsuru Watiu Adekunle under the pretext that it is the purchase price for two acres of land, situated at Oyigun Village, Akinyele, Ibadan which you claimed belong to you, which representations you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, upon which prosecution counsel, Murtala Usman asked the court for a commencement date of trial and for him to be remanded in prison custody.
Justice Adeyemi admitted Olayiwola to bail in the sum of N5million and two sureties in like sum. The sureties are to provide a valid means of identification, verified by the EFCC. He was given seven days to comply with the bail conditions or be returned to EFCC’s custody. The case was adjourned till December 2, 2020.
Adesina, on her part, was arraigned alongside her company on one-count charge of stealing, contrary to Section 390 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
She was alleged to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N2,400,000 (Two Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira) from one Adeniyi Taiwo Dauda through her company on the pretence that she could help him procure visas for some of his clients. She, however, failed to deliver on her promise and refused to refund the money to her victim.
The charge read, “That you, Adesina Adebola Aderonke and Kestrel Travels and Tours Limited sometime in February, 2019 at Ibadan, within the Ibadan Judicial Division of this honourable court, did commit an illegal act, to wit: stealing of the sum of N2,400,000.00 (Two Million and Four Hundred Thousand Naira) only, property of Adeniyi Taiwo Dauda.”
She pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, prompting prosecution counsel, Murtala Usman to ask the court for a commencement date of trial and for the defendant to be remanded in prison custody.
The court ordered that she be remanded in EFCC’s custody, pending an application for her bail and adjourned the matter till October 20, 2020 for hearing.
Customs Seizes ₦3bn Worth of Cannabis Sativa from Canada
The Tincan Island Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a container filled with Cannabis Sativa, imported from Canada.
According to Comptroller Gen of Customs, Wale Adeniyi, the illicit drug is estimated to be worth over ₦3 billion. Alongside the cannabis, customs officials also discovered several cartons of cough syrup in the same shipment.
This seizure comes shortly after the Customs Service reported another successful operation, intercepting smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at ₦106 million over a span of seven days.
Comptroller Kehinde Ejibunu, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, highlighted that their recent efforts led to the confiscation of 26,950 liters of petroleum products worth about ₦19 million. These products were being illicitly transported out of the country into neighboring Benin Republic.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abeokuta, Ejibunu emphasized that such smuggling activities contribute to artificial scarcity within Nigeria, subsequently inflating local fuel prices.
He detailed that the seized petroleum products included 978 kegs of 25 liters, totaling the aforementioned 26,950 liters, all apprehended within Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service, encompassing Lagos and Ogun states.
“The Operation Whirlwind team, operational for just two weeks, intercepted these 26,950 liters of premium motor spirit, valued at ₦19 million,” Ejibunu stated.
He underscored the economic impact of smuggling on Nigeria, calling for coordinated efforts among relevant agencies to combat these illicit activities effectively.
Further operational details revealed specific interceptions, such as 121 kegs of PMS totaling 3,025 liters seized on May 31, 2024, along the Badagry/Seme road in Lagos State. Additionally, on June 7, 2024, 77 drums of PMS (616 kegs, equivalent to 15,400 liters) were captured at Seayab Petroleum along the Imeko/Obada road in Ogun State using a truck with registration number 95D4244D. Another 100 kegs (2,500 liters) were impounded on June 8 along Owode/Atan Road in Ogun State, and 141 kegs (6,025 liters) at Julankoly Oil and Gas along the Owode/Ilaro Road.
Ejibunu confirmed that the implicated petroleum stations have been sealed, and legal proceedings will follow against their owners. He also announced that the confiscated products, due to their inflammable nature, would be condemned and subsequently auctioned off.
The Customs official concluded by issuing a stern warning to individuals involved in economic sabotage, urging them to desist or face the full force of the law.
Crime & Court
₦80bn Fraud Allegations: Ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello’s Arraignment Adjourned to June 27
The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the arraignment of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in an alleged money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The adjournment, agreed upon by both parties’ lawyers, shifts the proceedings to June 27, 2024.
Originally scheduled for today, June 13, 2024, the arraignment was deferred after the EFCC’s legal team indicated inconvenience with the date, according to Adeola Adedipe, counsel to Bello.
He disclosed that an agreement was reached among all parties that June 27 would be more suitable for the arraignment.
Speaking in court, Adedipe expressed surprise over what he perceived as a communication breakdown within the EFCC’s prosecution team, led by Kemi Phinhero and represented in court by Rotimi Oyedepo.
Oyedepo, however, stated that he was unaware of any off-court meetings or the decision to adjourn Bello’s arraignment.
In response, Justice Emeka Nwite accepted the lawyers’ undertaking that Bello would appear in court on the new date, despite the unconventional manner in which the adjournment was agreed upon.
The judge emphasized the importance of adhering to judicial undertakings.
Yahaya Bello served as Kogi State Governor from January 27, 2016, until January 27, 2024, when he handed over to his successor, Usman Ododo, both of whom are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The EFCC’s attempt to arrest Bello on April 17, 2024, at his Abuja residence was thwarted when Usman Ododo reportedly intervened and removed Bello from the scene.
Subsequently, the EFCC declared Bello wanted, warning against obstruction of its operations, a stance supported by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, who urged Bello to surrender himself.
Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have struck a major blow against cybercrime with the arrest of 127 suspected internet fraudsters in Ondo State.
In a statement released via its official X handle, the EFCC revealed that the arrests took place during the early hours of Saturday morning at a notorious “Yahoo Party” simultaneously held at Signature and Abah Clubs in Akure, the state capital.
The statement highlighted the strategic maneuvering of the alleged perpetrators, stating, “Credible intelligence showed that the alleged party was initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, 2024, but was later moved to Saturday to beat security and intelligence networks of the EFCC.”
According to the anti-graft agency, the suspects have provided valuable information to investigators, aiding in the crackdown on cybercrime.
The haul from the operation included a variety of assets seized from the suspects, comprising 10 exotic cars, phones, laptops, motorcycles, wristwatches, and numerous incriminating documents.
As investigations continue, the EFCC has declared its intent to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice, affirming, “They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”
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