Metro

Court Jails 27 Internet Fraudsters In Awka

Published

2 years ago

March 7, 2024

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, secured the conviction and sentencing of 27 internet fraudsters before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State.

The convicts are: Ajaero Chidiebube, Kosisochukwu Wisdom Ugwu, Apeh Samuel, Hyacinth Henry, Ebuka Moses Ugwu, Abugu Emmanuel Ebuka, Ogbu George, Onoja Chekwube, Onu Ogbonna Celestine, Ugwude Innocent Ekene, Solomon Emeka Okechukwu, Kosisochukwu Mamah, Idoko Fidelis Ejiofor, David Ifebuche Moses, Jude Ikechukwu, Kosisochukwu Idoko Martins and Victor Odoh Chinecherem.

Others are; Eze Caleb Somtochukwu, Ekeleme Victor, Osuji Kingsley, Eze Sopuruchukwu Marvin, Osuji Nnaemeka, Ikechi David, Ejiogu Chizoba, Arinze John Ojobo, Eze Daniel Chinecherem and Michael Ojo.

They were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charges bordering on fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.

The charge against Okechukwu reads: “That you, Solomon Emeka Okechukwu sometime in 2024, at Enugu, Enugu State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated Jennifer Alberto from Reading, United Kingdom by means of your Tecno Camon 20 with IMEI number 3551344570732428 via a fake Facebook Social Media Account with the intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting foreign nationals and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) and (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act”.

In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Michael Ikechukwu Ani reviewed the facts of the cases and prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, defence counsels, Okeke Bernard and James Nwatarali, prayed for leniency for their clients.

Justice Dimgba thereafter convicted and sentenced them as follows; Marvin was sentenced to one-year imprisonment with an option of fine of N120,000,00 (One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) and community service, Samuel, Henry, Ugwu, Ebuka, Martins and Chinecherem bagged one-year imprisonment each, with an option of fine of N50,000.00( Fifty Thousand Naira) and community service while the rest were handed 1year imprisonment each, with an option of fine of N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and community service.

Justice Dimgba also ordered that mobile phones recovered from them be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Metro

Court Sentences Man To Death For Killing Son

Published

9 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Kano State High Court has sentenced Abubakar Alhaji Sabo to death by hanging after finding him guilty of killing his newborn son.

The Kano State Government prosecuted Sabo before the court on charges of culpable homicide and causing grievous harm.

He was accused of force-feeding the infant with a local insecticide known as ‘fiya-fiya’, resulting in the child’s death.

Sabo killed the baby after the mother, his girlfriend, refused to obey his instruction to kill the child to avoid the shame of fathering a child out of wedlock.

Following the incident, he was also found guilty of striking the girlfriend’s father on the head with a brick after he caught Sabo poisoning the baby.

During the trial, the prosecution counsel, Barrister Safiya Yalwati Yahaya, presented three witnesses, while the defendant testified in his own defence.

After reviewing the evidence presented by both parties, Justice Aisha Yau, who presided over the case, found him guilty of infanticide and sentenced him to death by hanging.

The court also imposed an additional three-year prison sentence for causing grievous harm.

Metro

Nine Kwara Victims: Kidnappers Insist On N300m Ransom

Published

9 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

No progress has been recorded on the bandits demand for N300m ransom for the release of nine victims abducted in Adanla community of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara state on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025.

Coordinator of the Joint Security Watch for Kwara South Senatorial District, Zubair Olaitan, disclosed this on Wednesday.

According to DAILY POST, the bandits have so far made three contacts with the community leaders that “if the N300m is not paid, the victims will not be released.”

The bandits seized the nine victims in an attempt to abduct the King of the community, and his wife on Boxing Day, but failed.

The King, David Olarinoye, was away to Igbaja town for a programme when the armed bandits invaded his community.

The bandits, however, later seized nine other victims in the community and marched them to the bush.

While seven victims were abducted at the palace of the King, two others were captured on their way to the bush.

Following the abduction, the bandits demanded a N300m for the release of the abducted victims, resisting any negotiations for reduction of the ransom.

Metro

Man Arrested In Edo For Alleged Abduction Of 4-year-old

Published

23 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

21-year-old ThankGod Destiny has been arrested by the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, for allegedly kidnapping a four-year-old boy in the state.

Deputy Corps Commander, Operations, of the ESSC, Richard Balogun, who disclosed this to newsmen in Benin on Thursday, said the suspect has been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

Balogun, while disclosing that the incident happened on January 4, 2026 at Ikpoba Hill, Benin, said the arrest of the suspect followed an alarm raised by a commercial bus driver and a female passenger.

The ESSC commander said, “On January 4, 2026, a woman went out with her son at lkpoba Hill in Benin city. A few minutes later, the son disappeared from her sight.
This suspect identified as ThankGod Destiny had allegedly kidnapped the four-year-old boy.

“The little boy was hurriedly taken into a commercial bus going towards kings Square in Benin city.

“The driver of the bus who noticed a great difference in resemblance between the little boy and the man, however questioned where he was heading with the little boy.

“He lied that the boy is ill and he is taking him to the hospital. But later on, a female passenger asked him about his destination with the boy. He replied that he was going to buy the boy shoe.

“The various replies made the driver and the woman raise the alarm. The alarm attracted men of the Edo State Security Corps who were on patrol. The suspect was immediately arrested and the kidnapped little boy rescued unhurt.”

Balogun, who said the victim has been reunited with his family, assured that the Corps will continue to hunt for criminals in the state.