News

Court Jails 39 Internet Fraudsters In Oyo

Published

1 year ago

September 4, 2024

The Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentence of 39 internet fraudsters from Justices O.S. Adeyemi, Bayo Taiwo and Ladiran Akintola, all of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan.

They were prosecuted on a separate one-count charge each, bordering on impersonation, cheating, possession of fraudulent documents and obtaining by false pretence.

The convicts are: Fasanya Abdulqudus Gbolahan, Nkiri Oluchukwu Destiny, Fakoya Tobi Samuel, Owolabi Qudus Damilare, Isiaka Olajide Adebayo, Olawoyin Wasiu Olasunkanmi, Olawale Owolabi Abideen, Olayiwola Tunde Waheed, Kehinde Pelumi Abdulrauf, Okunlola Taoreed Abidoun, Okunlola Dolapo Mujeeb, Ademeso Raphael Olamide, Lawal Olajuwon Ridwan, Femi Dogo Oluremi, Ehinmowo Jeremiah Damilola, Joseph Isaac Justice, Enitan Tolulope John, Kolawole Toluwani Josaiah, Alo Ayokunnumi Emmanuel, Adetola Opeyemi Idris and Joshua Imole Shiyanbola.

Others are Idowu Ezekiel David, Salau Abeeb Ayomide, Adeyemi Samuel Adeleke, Philip Olabode Olatunde, Fasanya Gbenga Tunde, Seun Ayomide Babatunde, Ogoayo Alabi Sijuola, Akanji Timothy Bidoun, Quadri Salami Oyindamola, Samuel Adeyemi Oluwatobi, Ogunyemi Gbolahan Opemiposi, Olabanjo Oluwafemi Olatunbosun, Paul Nneji Uche, Ayomiposi Clement Akinyimika, Abdullahi Mustapha Adisa, Ajetunmobi Azeez Olashile, Oluwaseun Adeyeye Adeniran and Onah Austine Ayomide.

The charge against Austine Ayomide reads: “That you, Onah Austine Ayomide ‘M’ on or about 28th March, 2024, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated by representing yourself to be a white woman by the name Linda Mary from United States of America, through your Facebook account (Linda Mary) to one Clifton Deininger, from United States of America, with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence of personation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”

They all pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to them, following which prosecution counsel reviewed the facts of the cases, tendered incriminating documents and prayed the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Justice Adeyemi convicted and sentenced Austin Ayomide to one year of community service or to pay a fine of N200,000.

Tunde got a one-month jail term or to pay a fine of N250,000, while Abeeb Ayomide, Adeleke, Babatunde, Biodun, Oyindamola, Oluwatobi, Olatunbosun, Uche, Akinyimika, Adisa, Olashile and Adeniran bagged six months community service each, and to pay N50,000 each in addition to their sentence, besides Abeeb Ayomide who was slammed with N500,000 in addition to his sentence.

He slammed Sijuola with one month of community service or to pay a fine of N100,000.

Olatunde and Opemiposi were handed three months of community service without an option of a fine.

Justice Taiwo on his part convicted and sentenced Taoreed Abidoun to three months imprisonment, and Mujeeb to four months jail term, while Olasunkanmi and Abideen bagged six months community service each and were further ordered to pay a fine of N150,000 each in addition their sentences.

He convicted and sentenced Gbolahan, Damilare, Adebayo and Abdulrauf to five months of community service each and gave the latter a fine option of N100,000.00.

Waheed and Samuel got four months of community service, and a fine of N100,000, while Destiny bagged two months of community service.

Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Olamide, Oluremi, Damilola, Justice, Josaiah, Emmanuel and Shiyanbola bagged one-year jail term each or to pay a fine of N30,000 N50,000, N75,000, N75,000, N50, 000, N120,000 and N100,000 respectively.

Damilola forfeited a green-colouredNissan Micra car with registration number: LSD–464–GU with Chassis Number: SJNFBAK11U3001751; Emmanuel forfeited a black-coloured Lexus IS 250 car with registration number: MUS–158–JHS and Justice forfeited a black-coloured Toyota Corolla car with registration number: FST–607–GN.

Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Idris and David to six months of community service each or to pay fines of N60,000 and N150,000 respectively.

Ridwan and John bagged three months of community service each or to pay fines of N25,000 and N30,000 respectively.

The convicts forfeited all items recovered from them to the Federal Government. All the convicts began their journey to prison when they were arrested in a sting operation for fraudulent internet activities.

News

Group Throws Weight Behind Benin Monarch’s Decision On Iyaloja

Published

14 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

Group known as Edo Art and Cultural Heritage Institute (EACHI) has thrown its weight behind Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, on the royal father’s stance on the traditional leadership of markets in the Benin Kingdom.

A statement isdued by Okpioba Osaro Idemudia, on behalf of the group, said the “institute aligns with the Oba’s stance that the Iye-Eki is the only recognized traditional head of the markets, and we believe that this position should be respected and preserved in accordance with our cultural heritage.

“EACHI stands firm on the ground that the Iye-Eki holds a significant and revered position in the Benin Kingdom, serving as the main market traditional head. We believe that any attempts to impose external leadership structures that contradict our cultural norms and traditions would undermine the rich heritage of the Benin people.

“We are proud of our royal rather, for his unwavering commitment to upholding the cultural values and traditions of the Benin Kingdom.

“EACHI reassures the people of Edo State and the broader community that we will continue to support and promote the preservation of our rich cultural heritage.”

The group, while calling on Edo sons and daughters in home and in diaspora to “stand in unity to support our royal father Oba Ewuare II’s disapproval of IYALOJA,” commended
Edo market women for talking a bold stand against the imposition of IYALOJA

News

JUST IN: Tinubu’s Minister Resigns Amid Allegations

Published

15 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet amid controversies surrounding his academic records and allegations of certificate forgery.

Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, announced his resignation in a letter to the President on Tuesday, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to serve.

Confirming the development in a statement on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him. President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.

“He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria. Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents. President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.”

Nnaji’s resignation comes amid a lingering controversy over alleged certificate forgery and questions surrounding his academic qualifications from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Nnaji and the Enugu State Government had traded words over allegations that he presented forged certificates.

The dispute intensified after the Federal High Court in Enugu rejected Nnaji’s bid to stop the University of Nigeria from releasing his academic records.

The court had ruled that the institution was within its rights to release the minister’s academic details in response to a freedom of information request, a decision that fuelled further public scrutiny.

Nnaji, however, maintained that he was being blackmailed by political opponents determined to tarnish his reputation.

News

UNIBEN Bans Students’ Sign-out Celebration

Published

15 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has prohibited all forms of sign-out celebrations by graduating students.

The ban is contained in a circular by the university’s Registrar, Mr Ademola Bobola, on Tuesday in Benin.

In the circular addressed to members of the university community, the management warned that violators risk severe disciplinary actions, including rustication, expulsion, or withdrawal of certificate.

Bobola said the decision was reached at a meeting on Monday, where it reaffirmed an earlier resolution of the university’s Senate banning such activities on campus.

“The management declared that no sign-out celebration of any kind, including signing on T-shirts and playing of music, will be tolerated,” he said.

He stated that the university would not condone any form of disorderly conduct or unauthorised gathering during or after examinations.

“Indiscriminate parading around the campuses in any brand of vehicle will not be permitted,” the circular warned.

According to him, unauthorised vehicles will not be allowed into the campuses all through the last week of the second semester examination.

“The management also prohibited large gatherings around faculties, schools, or institutes after examinations.

“Photographers will not be permitted to put up photo stands or galleries for the purpose of such celebration,” he said.

He said the management equally cautioned parents and guardians of final-year students against visiting campus premises during the final days of examinations.

“Parents and guardians of final-year students are advised to stay away from the Faculty, School, or Institute premises, especially on the last day of examination,” he said.

Bobola emphasised that the university’s stance was aimed at maintaining order, discipline, and academic decorum on campus.

“Members of the university community are kindly invited to note the above position for strict compliance.

“Any violation will attract severe disciplinary sanctions, including withdrawal of certificate, rustication, and expulsion of violators,” he warned.