Headline
Edo Deputy Governor To Media Practitioners: You Benefit Most If Democracy Is Sustained
Published
4 years agoon
By
Editor
Joseph Kanjo, Benin
… ‘We Are Breeding New Journalism’ – NUJ Chairman
Edo State deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has disclosed that the media would benefit most if demorcacy is sustained in the country, adding that if the military comes back to power everyone including the media would feel the heat.
Comrade Shaibu who disclosed this in Benin on Monday while hosting journalists at his annual breakfast with media practitioners at his residence, said the media, being a catalyst for democracy, has a very critical role to play in governance.
While urging journalists to abide by the rules of engagement by balancing every story written, Shaibu admitted that him, being the Deputy Governor of the state was as a result of an investigative journalism carried out by an NUJ member when he was detained during the military junta.
According to him, “I have also use myself as an example on what a professional journalism is and what a true whistle blower is.
“I am deputy governor today courtesy of a member of Nigeria Union of Journalists that had to go out to declare that ‘some persons have been detained for over a month, while the military claim no one was left in detention. so if you say nobody is left in detention, that is no true, some persons are still detained in the prison,’ he listed the names.
“Your pen can help to repair; your pen can help destroy. It will benefit you most when democracy is sustained. This is because if those military come back, you and I would be in trouble.
“Your role is very critical; your role is very vital. And just like we all know, if you don’t play that role well, a lot of things would be damaged; a lot of things will spoil. Government will not be put on its toe to know that things are going wrong,” he said.
While commenting on the new Edo NUJ executive, the Deputy Governor expressed optimism that the Alenkhe-led executive would take the council to an enviable heights.
READ ALSO: Buhari Snubs Calls To Visit North, Jets Out To Turkey With Wife, Seven Ministers
Earlier in his remarks, chairman, Edo NUJ, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, declared a new breed in the council.
He urged Edo State Government to partner with the NUJ with a view to building a synergy that would benefit both parties.
“We want to build a new NUJ. The idea of giving us fish is over, we want us to be taught how to fish.
“Come to the press centre and see the expanse of land their and see how you can develop a portion for a choice project.
On the need for a stable power supply at the NUJ premises, Alenkhe made this demand, ” Your Excellency, Osoma power plant should be extended to the NUJ as it to NBA and other places.”
You may like
EYIF: Utilize N2m Grant Provided By The Govt, Edo Deputy Gov Urges Youths
Dry Bones Shall Rise Again’ – Shaibu Vows To Restructure, Replicate Edo Feats At NIS
Idahosa Optimistic Shaibu Will Perform As National Sports Institute DG
We’ve Initiated Policies, Reforms For Sustainable Health Delivery System — Edo Deputy Gov
Edo Deputy Gov. Celebrates Deputy Chief Of Staff On 55th Birth Anniversary
Deputy Gov Promises Effective, Efficient Healthcare Services In Edo
Headline
Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty In US To $405,000 Romance Scam Against American Women
Published
6 hours agoon
August 30, 2025By
Editor
A40-year-old Nigerian man, Daniel Chima Inweregbu, has pleaded guilty in the United States to charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, as well as money laundering, in connection with a romance scam that defrauded American women of more than $405,000.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, in a statement on Thursday, said Inweregbu and his co-conspirators ran the scheme between July 2017 and December 2018, using a fake online persona named “Larry Pham” to lure victims on dating sites and social media targeting US citizens.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson said that Inweregbu, described as a citizen of Lagos, Nigeria, pleaded guilty on August 21, 2025 before United States District Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown to two of the counts pending against him.
The counts which include conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and using an assumed name to commit a mail fraud scheme, Attorney Simpson said were in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341, 1342, 1343 and 1349 (Count 1), and conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1956(a)(1)(B)(i), 1957, and 1956(h) (Count 12). INWEREGBU’s plea stemmed from his role in a lengthy romance scam targeting American citizens.
READ ALSO:My Wife Sleeps In Leggings, Denies Me Sex —Husband
According to court documents, a “romance scam” was a confidence scheme in which the perpetrator feigned romantic intentions towards a victim, gained their affection, and used the victim’s goodwill to commit fraud.
“These fraudulent acts might involve such acts as obtaining access to the victim’s money, bank accounts, credit cards, passports, e-mail accounts, or national identification numbers; convincing the victim to transmit things of value to the perpetrator or his witting or unwitting co-conspirators; or inducing the victim to, unintentionally, commit or participate in the commission of financial fraud against third parties on behalf of the perpetrator,” the statement read.
It added, “Between at least July 1, 2017, and December 16, 2018, Inweregbu, and his co-conspirators, devised and operated a “romance scam” whereby they sought to obtain money and property from multiple American women, including 4 victims, by means of false and fraudulent representations and promises.
“Specifically, Inweregbu and his co-conspirators created profiles on social media and online dating sites using the alias “Larry Pham,” purportedly a middle-aged male, to attract middle-aged female victims.
READ ALSO:US Court Jails Nigerian For Large-scale Hacking, Identify Theft
“The co-conspirators, including Inweregbu, used online messaging platforms and email, to contact victims, introduce themselves, and appeal to victims’ longing for companionship. If the victim responded favorably, Inweregbu and his co-conspirators began to cultivate a romantic relationship that emotionally attached the victims to “Larry Pham.”
“Once the relationship was established, the defendant and his co-conspirators, posing as Larry Pham, requested victims send them money under various scams and ruses to domestic bank accounts they opened and managed. Inweregbu’s scheme resulted in actual and intended losses to the victims of over $405,000.
“Thereafter, Inweregbu and his co-conspirators laundered the funds, by conducting financial transactions using the proceeds of their wire and mail fraud scheme, designed in whole or in part to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the proceeds, by directing the victims’ funds through intermediaries.
READ ALSO:US Court Sentences American To 40 Years For Beheading Gokada Nigeria Founder
“Inweregbu faces up to twenty years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and up to a fine of $250,000 as to Count 1. He faces up to twenty years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and up to a fine of $500,000 as to Count 12. He also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count. Sentencing before Judge Brown has been scheduled for December 4, 2025,” the partly read.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson, according to the statement praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter and expressed appreciation for the great support provided by United States Department of Justice Office of International Affairs and the United States Department of State.
“Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Public Integrity Unit, is in charge of the prosecution,” the statement noted.
Headline
UK Bars Over 100 Job Roles From Foreign Recruitment To Curb Migration
Published
6 hours agoon
August 30, 2025By
Editor
The British government has unveiled major immigration reforms, blocking foreign workers from filling more than 100 job categories in a move aimed at reducing net migration.
The Home Office, in a statement posted on X Saturday morning, said the decision was geared towards creating more opportunities for local citizens while restructuring the visa regime.
“Cutting net migration means getting the fundamentals right.
READ ALSO:US Envoy, Minister Address Visa Policy Changes, Urge Compliance
“More than 100 occupations are no longer eligible for overseas recruitment – opening up more jobs for British workers. A fairer, skills-focused system is now taking shape,” the Home Office stated.
This policy marks the latest immigration clampdown under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who assumed office on July 5, 2024, after Labour’s sweeping election win that ended Rishi Sunak’s tenure.
However, the measure has drawn criticism, with opponents warning it could deepen staffing shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare and social services.
The Home Office has not yet published the full list of restricted occupations.
Headline
PM Killed In Israeli Strike, Say Yemen’s Huthis
Published
6 hours agoon
August 30, 2025By
Editor
The prime minister of Yemen’s Huthis was killed in an Israeli airstrike along with other officials earlier this week, the Iran-backed rebels announced on Saturday.
Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser Al-Rahawi, who was appointed last year, is the most senior official known to have been killed in a series of Israeli strikes during the war in Gaza.
“We announce the martyrdom of the fighter Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser Al-Rahawi… along with several of his ministerial colleagues, as they were targeted by the treacherous Israeli criminal enemy,” a Huthi statement said.
READ ALSO:Rivers Sole Administrator, Ibas Dismantles Fubara’s Political Structures With Key Appointments
“Others among their companions were injured with moderate to serious wounds and are receiving medical care since Thursday afternoon,” it added.
The Israeli military struck in the area of Sanaa, the Huthi-held capital, on Thursday. The Huthis, claiming solidarity with the Palestinians, have frequently fired missiles and drones at Israel during the Gaza war.
READ ALSO:How Imo Monarch, Cop Suspected Killers Were Arrested — Police
Israeli forces “struck a Huthi terrorist regime military target”, the Israeli military said at the time.
The Huthis have also targeted shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which they claim is linked to Israel during the Gaza war.
The rebel group controls large parts of Yemen, which has been gripped by war since 2014, and is part of Iran’s anti-Israel alliance alongside militant groups across much of the Middle East.
- Anambra Lady, Lover Arrested For Staging Own Kidnap
- 35-year-old Man Electrocuted In Ebonyi
- Police Foil Robbery On Sagamu-Benin Expressway, Recover Stolen Tricycle In Ogun
- Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty In US To $405,000 Romance Scam Against American Women
- UK Bars Over 100 Job Roles From Foreign Recruitment To Curb Migration
- Chelsea Vs Barcelona, Arsenal Vs Bayern — UEFA Releases Fixture Date, Time
- Shock As Adeleke Employs Roadside puff-puff Hawker As Govt House Chef
- PM Killed In Israeli Strike, Say Yemen’s Huthis
- Wike Gives Update On Rivers Emergency Rule Expires Date
- Police Arrest Kidnap Kingpin, Others In Benue
Trending
- News3 days ago
JUST IN: Immigration Hikes Passport Fees To N100,000, N200,000
- Sports5 days ago
Enabulele Confident Of Team Edo’s Success At 2025 NYG
- Politics3 days ago
Edo PDP Knocks Okpebholo Over ₦2.5b Donation To UBTH
- Sports5 days ago
Sports Commission Boss Commends Team Edo Athletes For Continental Triumph
- News3 days ago
Firm Wants Attorney-General Investigate Court Ruling On Breach Of Contract
- News4 days ago
US Court Sentences Osun Monarch To Prison Over $4.2m Fraud
- News3 days ago
Ondo Bans Graduation Ceremonies In Primary, Junior Secondary Schools
- News2 days ago
BREAKING: Former Customs Comptroller-General, Ahmed Aliyu Mustapha, Is Dead
- News2 days ago
Access Holdings Names New GMD/CEO
- News2 days ago
JUST IN: NLC Defies Edo Assembly Resolution, Inaugurates Factional Caretaker Committee