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2 Fraudsters Jailed 7 Years For $662,300 Crude Oil Racketeering

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The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, has secured the conviction of two fraudsters, Aso Morrison and Frank Biobarakuma.

The suspects were first arraigned sometime in March 2013, before Justice B. Georgewill of Rivers State High Court on a 17-count charge of conspiracy, forgery and obtaining by false pretence. They were convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment each this month.

The court was informed of how the convicts and others at large between the month of March 2012 and February 2013, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, fraudulently obtained $260,000 and $402,300 from one Mr. Jung Yongmin, a South Korean, under the pretece to sell Nigerian crude oil to him.

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READ ALSO: Tax Collector Jailed For Causing Hurt, Mischief

Their actions were contrary to Sections 1 and 8 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2004 and Section 467 of the Criminal Code Act, 2004.

The convicts had earlier entered a “not guilty” plea when the charges were brought before them.

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However, it was only recently that the trial judge, Justice S. Amadi, Chief Judge of Rivers State, who inherited the case after the elevation of Justice Georgewill to the Court of Appeal, found the convicts guilty on all 17 counts.

READ ALSO: Delta Police Arrest 10 Kidnappers, Others

In their allocutus to the court, defence counsel pleaded that the convicts were first-time offenders, who have children to cater for and that the court should consider a non-custodial sentencing which was not granted.

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Handing down judgment, Justice Amadi sentenced the duo to three years in prison for counts one to four; seven years in prison for counts five and six; three years for count seven to 17 without any option of fine.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

 

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Enugu Sets Deadline For Digital Charting Of Private Layouts

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The Enugu State Government has directed that all registered private layouts and plans be submitted to the Office of the Surveyor General for digital charting and endorsement, as part of its land digitalisation reforms.

In a public service announcement issued on Wednesday, the Surveyor General of Enugu State, Chime Justus, said the exercise would run between October 1 and December 31, 2025.

“In line with the Enugu State Government’s directive on land digitalisation, all registered private layouts and plans are required to be presented to the Office of the Surveyor General of Enugu State for digital charting and endorsement,” the statement read.

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READ ALSO:Enugu Court Remands Ritualist, Two Others, For Kidnapping, Murder

According to him, the process would guarantee “security of property ownership, legitimacy of land documents, and a clear digital identity for all parcels of land.”

The government warned that effective January 1, 2026, only layouts and plans that had been digitally registered, charted, and endorsed would be recognised as valid.

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Any layout or plan not digitally endorsed by this date will be delisted and deemed invalid,” Justus stated.

The move, authorities say, is aimed at strengthening land administration, reducing disputes, and ensuring greater transparency in property documentation across the state.

In 2024, Governor Peter Mbah launched the Enugu State Geographic Information System, a digital platform designed to streamline land title applications and ensure seamless processing within 48 hours.

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Progress Means Food On Tables, Not Statistics, CAN Tells FG

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The Christian Association of Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to ensure that the gains of its economic reforms translate into real improvements in the lives of citizens, stressing that true progress cannot be measured by statistics alone.

President Bola Tinubu, in his Independence Day address, had highlighted Nigeria’s economic growth, noting that the country’s GDP grew by 4.23 per cent in the second quarter of 2025 — the fastest pace in four years — surpassing the International Monetary Fund’s 3.4 per cent projection.

He also said inflation had dropped to 20.12 per cent, the lowest level in three years, attributing the achievements to “sound monetary and fiscal policies” that had delivered 12 notable milestones.

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But in his Independence Day message marking Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, congratulated the nation while cautioning that reforms must be judged by their impact on households, not just on paper.

READ ALSO:FG, Nigerian Army Intensify Forces To Combat Proliferation Of small Arms, Light Weapons

True progress must be measured not only by statistics but by the food on every table, the security of every community, and the opportunities available to every child,” Okoh said.

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The Christian body acknowledged progress in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and telecommunications since independence, noting that the country had moved from “a handful of schools and institutions” to thousands producing generations of professionals.

However, it warned that millions of Nigerians were yet to feel the benefits of reforms.

Economic reforms, while necessary, have brought temporary hardship for millions. The rising cost of living, food insecurity, unemployment, and inflation continue to weigh heavily on households,” CAN said.

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READ ALSO:FG Approves New NYSC Mandatory Regulations

Okoh also expressed concern that insecurity threatened to overshadow the country’s achievements.

Security remains an urgent concern. Terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal conflicts have caused deep pain and displacement. While strides have been made in restoring safety, more still needs to be done to guarantee the protection of lives and property,” he said.

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The association called for stronger collaboration between security agencies, communities, and faith-based organisations to consolidate peace across the country.

It further urged the government to prioritise youth empowerment to stem the “persistent brain drain” and tap into the creativity and potential of young Nigerians.

READ ALSO:FG Gives Mining Firms Deadline For Community Agreements

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“To stem this tide, there must be greater investment in education, innovation and youth empowerment, ensuring that no young Nigerian is left behind,” CAN stated.

Archbishop Okoh also reminded citizens of their civic responsibilities, calling on Nigerians to pay taxes faithfully, support local production, and uphold justice and equity.

On this anniversary, let us renew our commitment to justice, equity, and good governance. Let us embrace hard work… and show love to one another as one people under God,” he added.

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LAUTECH Resident Doctors Suspend Strike

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The Association of Resident Doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has suspended its indefinite strike after two months.

The doctors announced the decision on Wednesday in a letter to the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Olakulehin Olawale, citing assurances made by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, during his visit to the hospital on Tuesday, September 30.

They confirmed that clinical services will resume by 8 a.m. on Thursday, October 2, but stressed the need for sustained government commitment to resolving their demands.

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The strike, which began on July 29, was triggered by poor working conditions, inadequate medical equipment, and welfare-related issues.

READ ALSO:LAUTECH Nurses, Midwives Begin Indefinite Strike Over Minimum Wage

For weeks, patients in Ogbomoso and neighbouring towns were forced to seek treatment elsewhere, with emergency and specialist services at the teaching hospital largely unavailable.

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Their letter was signed by ARD President, Dr. Adedokun Stephen, and General Secretary, Dr. Mustapha Adedapo, the doctors said:

It read: “On behalf of the Association of Resident Doctors, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, we write to formally notify the hospital management of the suspension of our two-month industrial action following an Emergency General Meeting of the congress on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

“This decision was reached in honour of the visit of His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde, Executive Governor of Oyo State, to our institution on September 30, 2025, and in recognition of his sincere commitment to resolving the longstanding demands of our association. His engagement with stakeholders and the assurances given during the visit have been received with optimism and goodwill.

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READ ALSO:LAUTECH Student Stabbed To Death In Ogbomoso

“Accordingly, members of ARD LAUTECH Teaching Hospital will resume full clinical duties by 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 2, 2025.

“We look forward to a renewed spirit of collaboration with the incoming hospital board, as we collectively work towards meeting pending demands and repositioning LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in line with the mandate and vision of His Excellency.”

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The suspension of the strike comes as a major relief to residents of Ogbomoso, who rely heavily on the teaching hospital for affordable care.

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