EFCC Arraigns Three For N10m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, December 19, arraigned the trio of Muhammed Ali, Nasiru Sirajo and Muntari Sulaiman before Justice Bako Maikaita of the Katsina State High Court on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretense and Issuance of dud check. 

The accused persons were arrested by operatives of the commission following a petition by one Ibrahim Jidda, an Operations manager of FATUHATI investment Ltd. The petitioner alleged that he supplied 40,000 litres of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) to the accused persons worth N10,300,000 (Ten million Three hundred thousand naira only) through one Baba Nalami who is the business associate of the complainant. The supply was made in the name of said company, and the products was supposed to be delivered to Katsina State Ministry of Water Resources. 

After the delivery of the said product, the accused persons refused to pay the complainant; instead issued him with two checks in the sum of N5,300,000 (five million three hundred thousand naira Only) and N5,000,000 (five million Naira Only) respectively.

However, both checks were returned unpaid on presentation due to lack of funds in the account. 

One of the charge read that "you Mohammed Ali, Nasiru Sirajo and Muntari Sulaiman sometime in 2016 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court conspired among yourselves and obtained two trucks of diesel worth ten million five hundred thousand naira, property of Ibrahim Jidda thereby committed an offense contrary to section 8 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2016 and punishable as provided in section 1(3) of same Act”. 

The accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them. In view of their plea, the Prosecution Counsel Douglas Gift requested a date for trial and also urged the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody.

The defense counsel applied orally that his clients be admitted to bail.

Justice Bake remanded the accused persons in prison custody and adjourned the matter to 20 February, 2018 for hearing of bail application and commencement of trial.  - EFCC

EFCC Arraigns Banker, Another For N116m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, December 19, arraigned the duo of Temitope Oluwasanmi and Augustine Olayinka before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and fraudulent diversion of funds to the tune of N116m.

The first defendant, Temitope Oluwasanmi, an employee of Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc, was arrested by operatives of the EFCC sometime in October 2017, following a petition received by the Commission from the bank.

Oluwasanmi is alleged to have diverted the sum of N116 million to the savings accounts of three individuals, who are said to be his friends: Augustine Olayinka (account no.: 0050657770), Oginni Opeyemi ( account no.:0046585982) and Ogbaro Oluwaseyi (account no.: 0061074951).

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Temitope Oluwasanmi, Augustine Olayinka, Oginni Opeyemi (still at large) and Ogbaro Oluwaseyi (still at large) sometime in 2015 in Lagos, within the Lagos Judicial Division, conspired to commit felony to wit stealing”.

Another counts reads:  “That you, Temitope Oluwasanmi, whilst being an operating staff in the e-business Department of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc., between March 2017 and October 2017, in Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, transferred the sum of N116, 000,000 (One Hundred and Sixteen Million Naira) into the nominee accounts of Augustine Olayinka Opeyemi (still at large) and Ogbaro Oluwaseyi (still at large) knowing same to be proceeds of crime.’’

In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, E.A. Oyedotun-Laleye, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed the court to remand the defendants in prison custody pending the determination of charge preferred against them.

Counsel to the first defendant, Frank Eke, and counsel to the second defendant, Femi Banjo, moved applications for bail on behalf of their clients.

However, the prosecution counsel, Oyedotun-Laleye, opposed the bail applications.

Justice Dada, however, admitted the first defendant to bail in the sum of N2million with two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties must have a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

The sureties must provide the court with a proof of payment of tax in the last three years.

Justice Dada also granted the second defendant bail in the sum of N1m and two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties must have a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

The sureties must provide a proof of payment of tax in the last one year to the court.

Justice Dada ordered the defendants to be remanded in Ikoyi Prison pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

The case was adjourned to January 25, 2018 for commencement of trial. - EFCC

EFCC Arrests Innoson Motors Boss, Innocent Chukwuma

A well known industrialist, Innocent Chukwuma, popularly known by his company's name, Innoson, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was picked up at about 11 a.m. at his Savage Crescent, GRA Enugu residence on Tuesday, December 19.

His arrest followed his refusal to honor an invitation by the Commission having earlier jumped an administrative bail granted to him in a case being investigated by the Capital Market and Insurance Fraud Unit of the Commission's Lagos office.

Chukwuma, rather than honoring the invitation by the EFCC, mobilized six truck loads of thugs pretending to be staff of his company to his residence, where they manhandled EFCC operatives. 

It took reinforcement from the Enugu office of the EFCC to effect the arrest of the industrialist who is currently being grilled by a team of investigators. - EFCC

Shocking !!! My husband beats me, makes love to me in presence of our children - Woman

The Igando Customary Court, Lagos has dissolved the marriage between one Mr. Olasunkanmi Abdul-Kareem, 42,and his wife Bolanle Abdul-Kareem, over allegations of severe maltreatment, and forcefully making love to her in the presence of their children.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Bolanle had earlier told the court that her husband, Olasunkanmi, was always in the habit of molesting her whenever he got drunk.

She said, “Whenever my husband came home drunk, he would want to make love to me ‘by fire by force’ and I would caution him not to do it in the presence of our children.

“He beat me and made love to me by force while the children watched us.

“There was a day I came back from work and I met my children, one on top of another, doing what they always saw their father do to me,’’ the 40-year-old trader said.

The petitioner also said her husband always threatened to kill her.

“My husband derived pleasure in beating me. There was a day he beat me and broke my leg. One day, he threatened to kill me and I ran to one of my relatives’ house.

“My husband came there and met my sister’s husband ironing his clothes; he snatched the iron from him and started chasing me with it.

“Seeing his desperation, I ran into the street and my husband still chased me with the pressing iron.

“Each time I reported him at the police station, the police said it was family matter and refused to caution him,’’ she said.

The embittered wife described her husband as “irresponsible” and a father who did “not care” about the welfare and education of their children.

However, Olasunkanmi, who did not deny the allegation of making love to his wife in the presence of their children, however, begged the court not to dissolve the union.

Delivering judgment, the President of Igando Customary Court, Lagos, Mr. Moses Akinniyi, said the marriage between Mrs. Bolanle AbdulKareem and Mr. Olasunkanmi Abdul-Kareem had been dissolved.

Akinniyi said the petitioner had remained adamant despite mediation from the court and family intervention.

He said: “Both parties henceforth cease to be husband and wife. Both are free to go their separate ways without any hindrances and molestation.

“Since the petitioner insisted on divorce after several interventions, the court has no choice than to dissolve the union in spite of the fact that the husband still claims he loves his wife. - Daily Post

Magu knows my location - Maina

Abdulrasheed Maina, embattled former Chairman of the defunct Presidential Pension Task Team, has declared that the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu knows his whereabouts.

Maina said the EFCC boss is aware that he is in Nigeria and working with the anti-graft agency to apprehend pension thieves.

The embattled former Pension boss made the claim while reacting to a question that Magu went on air saying he would go to Dubai, United Kingdom, UK, America and ensure he was arrested and brought back to face justice.

Speaking with The Sun, the elusive ex-Pension boss said, “That day I laughed. You know why I laughed. I laughed because Nigerians were being taken for a ride. How could Magu that I respect so much say that?

“But he lied. How can you say you are going to fetch me in Dubai, USA, UK when you know I am here in Nigeria with you. When you know I have been in Nigeria for ages.

“When you know I have been working with you; common, common. I am tired of this and I feel I am not getting justice.”

Woman docked for biting neighbour’s breast

A 29-year-old woman, Comfort Audu, on Tuesday, appeared before a Masaka Upper Area Court, Nasarawa, for allegedly biting one Elizabeth Dangana’ s breast and inflicted injuries on her.‎

The accused, who pleaded not guilty to the one- count charge of causing harm brought against her, told the court that they fought but did not bite her breast.

‎The police prosecutor‎, Frank Swem, told the court that Dangana of Kuchikau 1, in Nasarawa, reported the matter at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Masaka, on December 13.

‎Swem said on December 5, at about 02:40 a.m., the complainant washed her clothes and hung them on a rope.

He said when the accused saw her clothes on the rope, she removed them and when the complainant tried to caution her, a quarrel ensued between them.

Swem said the accused violently attacked the complainant, resulting in various degrees of injury, especially in her chest.

The prosecutor added that the accused also bit the complainant’s right breast, adding that while taking her to the hospital, she collapsed on the way.

He said the complainant had just been discharged from the Alkanshi Hospital in Nyanya Gwandara, Nasarawa State, where she was treated.

Swem said the offences contravened Section 242 of the Penal Code and punishable under same.

The judge, Yakubu Ishaku , granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 and one surety in like sum.

Ishaku ordered that the surety must deposit two passport photographs with a verifiable address.

He adjourned the case till January 18, 2018 for hearing.

Transfer news : Arsenal plot £30 million move for Chelsea star David Luiz

Arsenal are reportedly planning a £30 million move for Chelsea’s David Luiz, according to the Daily Express.

Wenger is looking at the 30-year-old as he looks to improve what has been a leaky defence so far this season for Arsenal.

Luiz has been an outcast at Chelsea since having a fallout with manager Antonio Conte. The Brazilian has rarely featured since being dropped after the defeat to Roma in the Champions League. Conte reportedly wants Luiz back in the side, but the Brazilian is demanding regular first-team football.

Luiz would bring Champions League and World Cup experience to the Arsenal defence. The 30-year-old can play at both centre-back and as a defensive midfielder, something that appeals to Wenger.

However, Arsenal face competition for the defender, with both Real Madrid and Juventus taking a keen interest in signing the Chelsea man. Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is also reportedly interested in reuniting with Luiz, who the former Chelsea boss originally signed brought to Stamford Bridge.