Metro

Court Remands Four Cybercafé Operators For Forgery

Published

1 year ago

October 16, 2024

A Chief Magistrates’ Court 1, sitting in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State, has remanded four commercial computer centre operators in the Nigeria Correctional Service facility in Aba.

The accused, Onuoha Ikechukwu (40), Daniel Lawrence (27), Odinaka Onyeforo (37), and Ndukwe Chukwu (50), were arraigned before the court, presided over by His Worship Erinma Maduagwu, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, impersonation, and forgery of a Power of Attorney, an act reserved for qualified legal practitioners.

According to the charge sheet, the suspects operated at Nos. 2F and 2J Pound Road Extension, Aba, near the court, and had been involved in illicit activities for years. The first defendant, Onuoha Ikechukwu, was caught with over 70 forged Powers of Attorney, bearing the names of both living and deceased lawyers.

The suspects, who were often patronised by lawyers for legal document preparation, allegedly stole lawyers’ letterheads and, in connivance with other syndicates now at large, prepared illegal documents for unsuspecting clients, using stamps and seals of deceased lawyers.

Prosecutor Uzoamaka Emmanuel stated that their actions violated sections 516A(a), 484, and 465, punishable under section 467(1)(b) of the Criminal Code Cap 80 Vol. III Laws of Abia State of Nigeria 2005.

Counts two and three accused the defendants of falsely presenting themselves as licensed surveyors and legal practitioners by preparing Deeds of Power of Attorney using stolen letterheads and the names of lawyers, including one Van Abakwuo and Mr. Izuchukwu Onyeoma.

The charge sheet further stated that the suspects forged numerous Power of Attorney documents using fraudulent details and legal representation.

“Other Deeds of Power of Attorney purportedly executed by you for yet-to-be-identified persons as listed on the face of the said Deeds; so many cover pages of Power of Attorney signed by Joshua Onyekachi Emele ESQ without the name of any Donor and Donee.

“One Power of Attorney between Mr. Awa Agwu, Robert Nworo, and Onyegu Ifeanyi and other legal documents respectively, a representation you know to be false, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 80 Vol. III Laws of Abia State of Nigeria 2005.

“That you, Onuoha Ikechukwu ‘M’, Daniel Lawrence ‘M’, Odinakachi Onyeforo ‘M’, Ndukwe Chukwu ‘M’, and others now at large on or before the 9th day of October 2024, at Nos: 2F, 2J Pound Road Extension, Aba, in the Aba South Magisterial District, did forge and sell legal documents to members of the public, purporting same to have been properly prepared by a solicitor/Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 465, punishable under section 467(1)(b) of the Criminal Code Cap 80 Vol. III Laws of Abia State of Nigeria 2005.”

The defendants, represented by their lawyers, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The trial magistrate adjourned the matter to Friday, October 25, for consideration of their bail application and ordered their remand in the Aba Nigeria Correctional Service facility.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Aba branch, Barr. Charles Oluchukwu, who led other lawyers to the court, commented on the case, “These perpetrators have truly dealt with us (lawyers). The Bar passed a resolution that such individuals caught should be prosecuted, and some of our colleagues who are aiding them in signing those documents should be reported to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee in Abuja for prosecution, with the possibility of having their licences withdrawn.”

Oluchukwu added, “The mandate has been given to me to clamp down on them through a 5-man committee called the Anti-Fake Lawyers and Car Stickers Committee, headed by Uchenna Ejiogu.

“The public should desist from patronising these quacks because most of the Powers of Attorney they purportedly prepare are defective. We shall begin prosecuting those who patronise them.

“Our advice to these computer operators is that they should desist from conniving with quacks to prepare legal documents. We will not spare anyone involved.

“We have put measures in place by setting up a committee that will monitor these illegal activities by touts.”

Metro

Police Arrest Suspected Militant, Hunt Fleeing Monarch In A’Ibom

Published

17 hours ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in collaboration with marine hunters, have arrested a suspected militant, Samuel Geofrey, who allegedly specialises in sea piracy and kidnapping in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of the state.

The command has also launched a manhunt for a traditional ruler (name withheld) believed to be Geofrey’s collaborator and reportedly in possession of operational tools used by the militant.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Uyo on Tuesday.

Azare said the suspect was arrested on November 3, 2025, at about 11:45 am, while the traditional ruler fled when operatives stormed his residence.

He explained that a search of the monarch’s makeshift residence led to the recovery of several items allegedly used for sea piracy operations.

Recovered items included one 40HP, two 15HP, and one 8HP marine engines; four power heads; four gearboxes; four propellers; four engine covers; one Snow Sea deep freezer; and three generators, among others.

According to the CP, “On November 3, 2025, at about 1145hrs, operatives of the command, in collaboration with marine hunters, intercepted and arrested one Samuel Geofrey, aged 27, a native of Atakpere Community in Ekeremo LGA of Bayelsa State.

“The suspect confessed to being an active militant involved in sea piracy and kidnapping. He disclosed that his rifle was in the custody of one Kingdom Bane, the Village Head of Ine Eyoabasi Fishing Village.

“Operatives immediately stormed the village, but the Village Head fled upon sighting the team. A search of his makeshift residence led to the recovery of numerous items suspected to have been stolen from sea travelers.”

Items recovered included one 40HP, two 15HP, and one 8HP marine engines; four power heads; four gearboxes; four propellers; four engine covers; one Snow Sea deep freezer; three generators; three brand-new toilet seats; two brand-new toilet sinks; one sewing machine; and a bag containing the personal effects of one Chibuike Vincent Awah of Onitsha, Anambra State, including his ID card and NIN slip.

Azare noted that the suspect would soon be arraigned in court, adding that efforts had been intensified to arrest the fleeing traditional ruler.

He further disclosed that during the same period, the command arrested two suspects after raiding an illegal gun manufacturing factory in Ekriti Itam Village, Itu Local Government Area.

According to him, “Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives on October 24, 2025, raided an illegal gun manufacturing facility at Ekriti Itam Village, Itu LGA, arresting Aniekan Aniedi (39) and Ubong Udofia (35).

“Exhibits recovered include three fabricated locally made guns, five pieces of metal pipe, two iron rods, copper wire, two flat metal plates (gun butts), one welding machine, one mini electric screwdriver, and one electric filing machine.”

Metro

Rivers Shuts Market As Hoodlums Stab Trader To Death Over N500

Published

17 hours ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

Authorities in Rivers State have shut down the popular Obio/Akpor International Market, also known as Amaechi Market, following the killing of a trader identified simply as Ejike, allegedly by a group of meat sellers during a quarrel over N500.

The incident occurred around 11am on Sunday, along SARS Road in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, when over 20 attackers reportedly stabbed Ejike multiple times with daggers.

Eyewitnesses said another man who attempted to rescue the victim was also stabbed in the ribs and is now in critical condition in the hospital.

Outraged by the killing, female traders on Monday staged a protest at the Obio/Akpor Council headquarters, demanding the relocation of the alleged violent group while expressing fear over rising insecurity in the market.

One of the protesters, who pleaded anonymity for fear of victimisation, claimed that aside from the deceased, another person went into a coma.

“One man is dead, and the person who tried to rescue him is in a coma. More than 20 of them chased him over N500 and stabbed him to death. We want peace. They should leave our market,” a protesting woman said.

Another trader, who declined to be named, accused the attackers of being behind criminal activities in the market.

She lamented, “They break into our shops, steal goods, and even sell drugs behind the market.

“We don’t feel safe anymore. The government should help us.”

The Market Chairman, C.P. Oburu, confirmed the incident, saying Ejike was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

“When I got the call while in church, I rushed to the scene. The doctor confirmed him dead. We took his body to the mortuary and reported to the police,” he said.

Oburu added that the market has been sealed by the council authorities and police, pending further investigation.

“The local government chairman has intervened. Security agencies have made some arrests, and the market will remain closed until further notice,” he said.

Confirming the incident, state Police Command spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said one person was killed by yet-to-be-identified attackers.

“The Commissioner of Police has deployed tactical units to cordon off the market and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. Investigation is ongoing,” she stated.

Metro

Family Declares 45-year-old Hairdresser Missing In Ibeju-Lekki

Published

18 hours ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

A 45-year-old woman, Oluwafunmilayo Oluwaseun Adesuyi, has been declared missing in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.

According to Boluwatife Adesuyi, her son, and Mr. Adekunle, her brother-in-law, Oluwafunmilayo, a hairdresser by occupation and mother of four children, who resides at House 1, Road 1, Onidogbo Town, Aiyeteju, Ibeju-Lekki, was last seen on September 17, 2025, within the Ibeju-Lekki area.

She is described as tall and fair in complexion. Boluwatife, her eldest son, said she left home on Thursday, 17th September 2025, and hasn’t returned since then. He said all efforts to trace her whereabouts since the day she went missing have proved unsuccessful.

The case has been reported to the police, and the family is appealing to members of the public with any useful information to assist in locating her.

Anyone with information about Oluwafunmilayo Adesuyi’s whereabouts is urged to contact 08165274101 or report to the nearest police station.