Court Jails 22 Internet Fraudsters in Benin City
The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission between September 5 and 13, 2024 secured the conviction of 22 internet fraudsters before Justice Igho Braimoh of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City.
The convicts are Emmanuel Osakpolor Bright, Omoigui Kelvin, Isaac Jonathan, Edem Progress, Philip Desmond, Eharevba Destiny, Emmanuel Joseph, Abdulrasheed Ayatudeen, Desmond Nosakhare, Ani Micheal Chukwuemeka, Antony Oluchukwu Okocha, Abdulhafiz Abdulmumin Yamah, Eke Silver Miracle, Godstime Obasuyi and Nzubechukwu Godswill.
Others are Aliyu Tijani Ayomide, Stephen Odafe, Anderson Tega Obodo, Abijan Mudiaga Sagin, Job Samuel, Favour Nasiru and Omogaga Precious.
They were prosecuted on a separate one-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents.
The charge against Emmanuel Osakpolor Bright reads: “That you Osakpolor (m) on or about the 5th of September, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contained false pretence, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
All the defendants pleaded guilty to their charges when they were read to them, prompting the prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, I.M Elodi, K. Y. Bello, I.K. Agwai, Ibrahim Faisal and Ahmed Salihu to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Braimoh afterwards convicted and sentenced Anthony Okocha, Abdulrasheed, Omoigui, Egharevba Destiny, Eke Miracle, Jonathan, Nosakhare and Godswill to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each, while Desmond, Edem Progress, Joseph Emmanuel, Chukwuemeka, Abdulhafiz, Godstime Obasuyi and Osakpolo Bright bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each.
On Friday, September 13, Justice Braimoh convicted and sentenced the trio of Ayomide, Odafe and Obodo to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each, while the quartet of Sagin, Samuel, Nasiru and Precious bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two hundred thousand Naira) each.
The judge ordered the forfeiture of two Lexus cars recovered from Eke Miracles and Omogaga Precious being proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
All the convicts are to forfeit their phones, laptops, and money in their respective bank accounts to the Federal Government of Nigeria and to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.
The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began following their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC through a sting operation owing to their involvement in fraudulent internet activities. They were subsequently charged to court and convicted.
Media &. Publicity
September 17, 2024.
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU CONGRATULATES HIS DEPUTY, OBAFEMI HAZMAT AT 60
- Says DG is a trusted, committed partner
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, on his Diamond birthday, describing him as “a trusted, committed and dedicated partner.”
He saidDr. Obafemi Hazmat, who clocks 60 on Thursday, is a brother, friend and partner in the Greater Lagos agenda.
The Governor noted that the cordial relationship between him and his deputy has led to good governance and the delivery of dividends of democracy to millions of Lagosians in the last five years.
Dr. Hazmat, a former Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, as well as Commissioner for Works during former Governors Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola administrations, will clock 60 tomorrow, Thursday, September 19.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a congratulatory message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Wednesday, praised Dr. Hamzat for his long years of dedicated and meritorious service to Lagos State and Nigeria.
Sanwo-Olu, further described Dr. Hazmat as a genius, team player and brilliant administrator, saying that the Deputy Governor’s supportive and positive contributions are evident in the many achievements so far recorded by the current administration.
He said: “On behalf of my family, the government, and the people of Lagos State, as well as the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I celebrate my dear friend and brother on his 60th birthday.
“Dr. Obafemi Hazmat, who I have known for over two decades, is a genius, administrator per excellence, seasoned technocrat and politician. He is a reliable, hardworking, dependable, supportive, trustworthy and committed partner in the Greater Lagos agenda of our administration.
“The deputy governor’s Diamond birthday is worth celebrating because of his immeasurable contributions to Lagos State and Nigeria, having served passionately in different private and public offices locally and internationally for over three decades.
“As Dr. Obafemi Hazmat joins the league of sexagenarians, I pray that God will increase his good health to enable him to render more service to humanity, Lagos State and Nigeria.”
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER – MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
18 SEPTEMBER 2024
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU VISITS BORNO STATE, PLEDGES MORE SUPPORT FOR CITIZENS, CREATION OF DISASTER RELIEF FUND
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced a disaster relief fund Monday in Maiduguri, Borno State, to assist Nigerian citizens impacted by floods and other disasters.
He said the relief fund is already expedient as the climate becomes more unpredictable and many places in the country are vulnerable to its vagaries.
President Tinubu announced this at the Borno Government House when he visited the state to sympathise with the government and people over the recent flooding from Alau Dam.
He urged the private sector to contribute to the fund.
Senate president Godswill Akpabio, who accompanied the President on the visit, said the National Assembly will collaborate with the executive to establish the Fund.
Tinubu visited the Shehu of Borno, an Internally Displaced Persons camp at the Government Secondary School in Maiduguri and had a drive-through of the areas affected by the disaster.
President Tinubu said: “After my visit to the Shehu of Borno and the IDP camp, I have been reflecting on how to tackle this kind of disaster and the effects of climate change.
“There must be a disaster relief fund. I will invite the private sector to team up with us and help rebuild the affected areas.
“If we take a small percentage from FAAC and put it as disaster relief fund, which will include all of you, we will be activating and strengthening our sense of belonging,” he said.
The President thanked Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who is also Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed, Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu; and Kogi State governor Ahmed Usman Ododo; and other governors who look beyond party lines to bear the burdens of others.
He said that Nigeria’s diversity should spur prosperity.
The President extended his sympathy to the government, the people of Yobe State, and all the states affected by flooding and pledged his government’s continued support for victims of natural disasters.
“For all the people of Yobe State, I sympathise with you. We will create an outstanding programme for Nigeria to recover from this calamity. We will build our nation together,” the President assured.
The President commended the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, for prompt intervention and the Theatre Command of the Nigerian military for the evacuation that saved many lives.
“I am glad that Prof. Zulum has been a very active governor. Let me assure you that we will be with you, Borno State and share the burden.
“This disaster was a natural one. It was not the making of anybody. We cannot pass the blame. We pray that the Almighty Allah will receive the souls of the departed and grant them eternal rest.
“May God also overlook their shortcomings and misdeeds on earth,” he added.
President Tinubu commended all the ministries, agencies, and security outfits, particularly the military, involved in evacuation and relief and recognised the international organisations working in the state.
The Governor of Borno State thanked the President for the visit and commended the prompt intervention of Federal Government agencies, particularly NEMA and the military’s Theatre Command, in evacuating stranded victims.
At the palace, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi, thanked the President for the honour of visiting the state after the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, had earlier represented him.
The Shehu of Borno urged the President to investigate the cause of the Alua dam collapse and overflow into the town to prevent a recurrence.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
September 16, 2024
