Crime & Court
Photos: 66 internet fraudsters bag jail terms in Oyo
An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has convicted and sentenced sixty-six, (6), internet fraudsters to various jail terms, ranging from two weeks, four months, and six months of community service to ten months imprisonment.
The convicts were prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and arraigned before Justices Olusola Adetujoye, Bayo Taiwo and Ladiran Akintola on a separate one-count charge, bordering on cyber crimes, between Monday, September 5, 2022, and Wednesday, September 21, 2022.
The convicts are Lawal Ismaila Adebola, Dazumi Azeez Jayeola, Morakinyo Abiodun Michael, Kehinde Samuel Olatunbosun, Yusuf Olawale Raji, Abass Akintayo Waliu, Kolawole Blessing Oluwafemi, Ajibade Habib Olakunle, Adedun Olajide Temidire, Dapo Ajayi Temitope Faith, Lamidi Olumide Samuel, Patrick Simon Olaide, Opeyemi Nurudeen, Obaloluwa Enoch Bolaji, Oladimeji Olamide Abdulrahman, Damilola Mubarak Muritala, Adedayo Wahab Abdullahi, Olotu Oluwadamilola Ayomikun, Aderibigbe Ibrahim Olamilekan, Sekoni Oluwatimilehin James, Dazumi Abdulrazak, Salami Ayo Wisdom and Ifeoluwa Joseph Olabiyi.
Others are Mubarak Salaudeen Opeyemi, Toriola Samuel Oluwadamilola, Abisoye Israel Olamilekan, Adebayo Babatunde Teslim, Onipede Damilola, Oladotun Tijani Kunle, Adeshina Opeyemi Akanni, Eniola Johnson Olorunsola, Adebowale Samuel Amusan, Ayinde Babalola Quadri, Obioma Honour Nmaduabuchi, Afolabi Pelumi Tomiwa, Salau Opeyemi Saheed, Adekunle Hammed, Abioye Oluwatobiloba Alex, Ajadi Hezekiah Oluwatobi, Kayode Donald Adubu, Olamilekan Gabriel Ebedi, Adediran Qudus Wale, Adams Ojo Segun, Ogundayo Usman Oladayo, Olamide Yusuf Ishola, Kolawole Fuad Abiodun, Adekoya Tobiloba, Giwa Babatunde David, Abdulfatahi Dolapo Oderinde and Akinwale Israel Bunmi.
The rest of the convicts are Alex Okhiria Chibueze, Gabriel Ikyeleve, Paul Uche Obinna, Udeh Emeka Moses, Alase Ayodele Philip, Afeez Sode Gbolahan, Abayomi Babatunde Adejuyigbe, Haruna Adedoyin Kayode, Adejuyigbe Oluwatobiloba Joshua, Gbadamosi Samson Iyanu, Olatunbosun Mojeeb Olanrewaju, Oduwaye Oluwale Kelvin, Adesokan Afeez Afolabi, Emmanuel Oluwatobi Ajala, Olamilekan Michael Ayegbusi and Adurota Emmanuel Oluwatosin.
According to Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC’s Head of Media & Publicity, they all pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to them individually.
Consequently, prosecution counsels, Oyelakin Oyediran, Chidebere Okoli, Oluwatoyin Owodunni, Modupe Akunkoye, Mohammed Galadanchi, Mabas Mabur, Abdulrasheed Suleman and Samsudeen Bashir, prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
The courts convicted and sentenced the defendants to various jail terms, some two weeks, others four months, six months of community service, and some to ten months imprisonment. The courts also ordered that they restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
All the convicts began their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC, for diverse internet-related offences. They were subsequently prosecuted and convicted.
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.”
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered an interim forfeiture of substantial sums of money and numerous properties associated with Mr. Godwin Emefiele, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The order, granted by Justice Yellim Bogoro on Thursday, May 23, 2024, followed an ex-parte application by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bilkisu Buhari.
“I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and also perused the motion just moved, together with the affidavit in support,” stated Justice Bogoro in her ruling. “I find merit in the application and same is hereby granted as prayed.”
The court directed the publication of the order in a national daily to allow interested parties to present their case before the final forfeiture decision, scheduled for July 2.
The sums of $4,719,054 and N830,875,611, along with various properties, were forfeited to the Federal Government. These funds were reportedly warehoused in First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank, and operated by several entities including Omoile Anita Joy, Deep Blue Energy Service Limited, and others.
Among the forfeited properties are 94 units of an 11-floor building under construction in Ikoyi, Lagos; an 11-floor office space at Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; and various parcels of land and completed properties across Lagos, Texas, and Chevron Nigeria.
The EFCC sought the interim forfeiture under various legal provisions, including Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 14, 2006, and Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution, as well as the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
The anti-graft agency specifically requested the court for interim orders forfeiting the funds and properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and directing the publication of the order in a national newspaper for interested parties to show cause why final forfeiture should not be made in favor of the Federal Government.
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