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Oyo: Man docked for N6.1m investment fraud, another convicted for internet fraud

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The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, arraigned one Ola Samuel Adebiyi alongside his firm, Ardour (Nig) Co. ,before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State on a seven count charge for transacting bank business without license and obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N6, 150, 000.00 (Six Million, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).

The defendant is alleged to have swindled his victim, Wilson Oyekemi Omowumi of the said sum when he convinced her to invest in his company, Ardour (Nig) Co., with the agreement that 5.5% on the invested funds would be given to her on monthly basis.

Investigations by the EFCC revealed that the accrued interest on the investment was N10million but only N1.4million was given to the victim and all efforts to get the defendant pay the balance were futile.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Ola Samuel Adebiyi and Ardour (Nig) Co. on or about the 1st of May, 2011 at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this  Honourable Court and with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N3,050,000.00 (Three Million and Fifty Thousand Naira) from one Oyekemi Omowunmi Wilson when you falsely represented that the said money is for investment in Ardour (Nig) Co, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

 Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Oyediran Oyelakin asked the court for trial date and to remand the defendant pending the outcome of the case.

The defence counsel however, informed the court that a bail application had been filed and served on the prosecution and the court. He therefore urged the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms.

Justice Agomoh, after listening to both parties, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1million with two sureties in like sum.

Justice Agomoh adjourned the matter till May 31, 2022 for commencement of trial.

In a related development, a State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State has convicted and sentenced one Keshiro Olanrewaju Abiodun to six months community service on one count charge for his involvement in internet fraud.

The nineteen year old who claimed to be a student of Computer Science at The Polytechnic, Ibadan was arrested by operatives of the EFCC in Apete area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The one count charge reads:  “That you, Keshiro Olarewaju Abiodun, sometime between the month of January and June, 2020 at Ibadan within the Ibadan Judicial Division of the Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, falsely represented yourself as a female gender known as Pope Millie of the United States of America, an offence of personation which is contrary to section 484 of the Criminal Code Laws Cap.38, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.”

The convict pleaded “guilty” to the charge filed against him by the EFCC.

Upon the plea, the prosecution counsel, Mabas Mabur prayed the court to convict and sentence him as charged.

Justice Taiwo thereafter, convicted and sentenced Keshiro to six months community service.

Also, the convict was ordered to restitute $860USD (Eight Hundred and Sixty United States Dollars), and forfeit one iPhone 12 Pro Max to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

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Crime & Court

Joshua crash: Driver faces fresh charges as court adjourns trial

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File photo of Adeniyi and Anthony Joshua

The Ogun State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Sagamu has adjourned the trial of the driver involved in the road crash that affected former heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, to June 2, 2026.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun, fixed the new date to allow the prosecution to file fresh charges in the case.

The defendant, Adeniyi Mobolaji, is facing a four-count charge bordering on dangerous and negligent driving resulting in death.

It was gathered that the matter had been adjourned about four times to enable the prosecuting counsel, G. O. Ogunyomi, amend the charges before the court.

Mobolaji was accused of reckless and negligent driving, contrary to Section 6(1) of the relevant law, as well as driving without due care and attention, causing bodily harm, and damage to property under Section 7(1).

He was also alleged to have driven without a valid national driver’s licence, contrary to Section 10(1) of the Federal Highway Act.

Ruling on the prosecution’s application for adjournment, the magistrate granted the request and fixed June 2 for proper hearing. The defence counsel did not oppose the application.

Speaking after the proceedings, counsel to the defendant, Abiodun Olalekan, said the adjournment was necessary to ensure justice for all parties involved.

The 46-year-old defendant was involved in the fatal crash that claimed the lives of Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, along the Lagos-Ibadan

Expressway on December 29, 2025.
The Lexus SUV conveying the boxer collided with a stationary truck, leaving Joshua and the driver with minor injuries.

Joshua was later discharged from the hospital after being certified clinically stable.

The deaths of Ayodele and Ghami drew widespread reactions within the international boxing community, where both men were regarded as key figures in Joshua’s camp.

Their remains were subsequently repatriated to the United Kingdom, where a funeral prayer was held on January 4, 2026, at the London Central Mosque.

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Crime & Court

NDLEA Ends 15-Year Hunt for Alleged Drug Lord in Lagos

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old alleged drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had reportedly been on the agency’s wanted list and that of British authorities for over 15 years.

Ilomuanya was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what the agency described as a high-level, coordinated operation by officers of its Special Operations Unit.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi.

Babafemi said the suspect’s arrest ended a prolonged manhunt linked to his alleged involvement in drug trafficking activities across Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

According to the statement, Ilomuanya was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and convicted for drug trafficking.

He was sentenced to nine years imprisonment but was released after serving two years following a successful appeal.

Babafemi added that the suspect was again arrested in the UK in July 2011 over drug-related offences.

He said, “He was granted administrative bail but jumped jurisdiction and fled to Nigeria.

“Typical of a recidivist, Ilomuanya was in November 2018 arrested in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives following the discovery of two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in his Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area country home in Imo State and at his No. 3 Barrister Declan Uzoma Close, Lagos residence where officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive production equipment.

“He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos, after which he jumped court bail and has been on the run since then.”

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s ongoing war against drug trafficking networks.

Marwa said the operation demonstrated the agency’s resolve to track down criminal elements regardless of how long they evade the law.

He said, “This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice.

“Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation.

“We remain committed to our international collaborations to ensure that Nigeria is not used as a sanctuary for global drug lords.”

Marwa also commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism and persistence in tracking down the suspect.

He added that the agency would continue to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and international cooperation to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria.

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Crime & Court

Court Acquits Suspended DCP  Kyari, Faults NDLEA Over Weak Evidence

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File photo of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday discharged and acquitted a suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, of a 23-count charge bordering on alleged non-declaration of assets filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations against the defendants.

Kyari was arraigned alongside his two brothers, who were accused of swearing to false affidavits in an alleged attempt to conceal the origin of certain properties.

However, the court ruled that the anti-drug agency failed to establish that the properties allegedly not declared by Kyari were actually owned by him.

Justice Omotosho explained that ownership of landed property could be established through traditional history, title documents, acts of possession, or possession by connection.

According to the judge, the prosecution did not present any of these forms of evidence to prove that the properties located at Fountain Estate in Karsana, said to belong to Ramatu Kyari, were owned by the suspended police officer.

The court also held that the prosecution failed to produce material evidence linking Kyari to properties located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, as well as properties in Maiduguri, Borno State.

In his defence, Kyari maintained that the properties in Borno State belonged to his late father, who bequeathed them to him and his siblings.

The judge held that the prosecution failed to prove otherwise.

Justice Omotosho also faulted the prosecution for charging Kyari’s brothers with conspiracy, describing the allegation as unsubstantiated.

He described the NDLEA’s case as weak and lacking credible evidence, adding that the defendant had served the country well and should not be subjected to persecution.

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