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EFCC Arraigns 20 Foreigners Over Alleged Cybercrime

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned another 20 foreign nationals before the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for alleged cybercrime and attempts to destabilize Nigeria’s social and economic structure.

The defendants, 15 Filipinos, one Indonesian and four Chinese nationals were arraigned before Justice Musa Kakaki.

They are part of the larger 193 foreign nationals arrested in December 2024, alongside 599 Nigerians in a surprise operation at their hideout, Big Leaf Building in Victoria Island, Lagos, following credible intelligence gathered by the anti-graft agency.

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READ ALSO: EFCC Arraigns Man For Refusing To Accept Naira As Legal Tender

At the arraignment, counsel to the EFCC, Nwandu Ukoha, asked that the charges against the defendants be read so that they could take their plea.

Through an interpreter, the charge was read and all the defendants in their separate counts pleaded not guilty.

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Ukoha also asked the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service, pending trial.

READ ALSO: Portable Wanted As Ogun Arraigns Nine Associates For Assaulting Officials

Lawyers representing the defendants, Bridget Omoteno and BA Ukpai, however, opposed him. They asked the court for a short adjournment to enable the defendants explore the possibility of a plea bargain with the prosecution.

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After listening to the parties, Justice Kakaki granted the prosecutor’s request and remanded the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services’ pending trial. The court adjourned to March 18th and 20th for possible trial.

Some of the foreigners arraigned are; Kayceelyn Remorin, Jonylyn Agulto, Donny Hermanto, Guo Bin, Darwa Esmael, Lari Jane Tayac, Jhena Samiento, Jessa Sai Chui, Rain Torida, Kimbaley Nisperos, Winnie De Jesus, Shairah May Reyes, Gladys Joy May Iba, Jean Calaga, Huo Wen Jie, Zhao Sui Tao, Gong An Penguna Yua and Anjeannet Topacio.

READ ALSO: Ekiti Police Arraign Man For Allegedly Threatening Priest

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The two-count charge against the defendants alleges that they and GENTING INTERNATIONAL CO. LIMITED on or about the 18th of December 2024 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems organised to seriously destabilise the economic and social structure of Nigeria (which prohibits and prevents cyber and related crimes) when they procured/employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain financial advantage for themselves and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”

The defendants were also alleged to have sometime in December 2024 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with the intent to gain financial advantage for their employer fraudulently impersonated and hold themselves out as such, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) and 27(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.

(CHANNELS TV)

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50 Arrested For Violating Environmental Sanitation Laws In Edo

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The Environmental Taskforce on Saturday arrested no fewer than 50 persons in Benin for violating environmental sanitation laws in Edo State.

The suspects were arrested in Egor Local Government Area of the state as the new Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, Mr Saidi Akintayo, led a monitoring operation across the city.

The operation covered strategic areas such as Third East Circular Road Junction, Sapele Road, Ekiosa Market, Siloko Road, Ugbowo, and New Benin Market, amongst others.

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Akintayo said the exercise aimed at ensuring compliance with the monthly environmental sanitation directive of the Edo State Government.

READ ALSO:CSOs, Academia, Impacted Communities Launch Climate Justice Campaign In Edo

The commandant, who led his management team, said the exercise also aligned with the corps’ renewed drive to support federal and state efforts toward maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment for residents.

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“A clean environment is a healthy environment. It is our collective duty as citizens to ensure that our surroundings are kept clean at all times,” he said.

“The corps will continue to support government efforts by enforcing compliance and sensitising the public on the importance of environmental hygiene.”

During the exercise, residents and traders were seen sweeping drains, clearing refuse, and cleaning up their premises, a development that the NSCDC boss described as “encouraging.”

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READ ALSO:Reps To Probe Edo, Delta Communal Crisis

The commandant’s team later visited the local government secretariat, where he was received by the Executive Chairman, Osaro Eribo.

At the secretariat, the 50 suspected offenders were arraigned before a mobile court.

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The commandant lauded the synergy among local authorities, the environmental task force, and security agencies, describing it as crucial to sustaining the gains of the exercise.

He reiterated the NSCDC’s readiness to enforce environmental laws, support public health initiatives, and maintain peace and order across Edo.

READ ALSO:Tenebe Fingers Edo APC Chieftains As Plot To Replace Him As Chair Thickens

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Our presence underscores the Corps’ unwavering commitment to protecting lives, property, and the environment,” he said.

“We will continue to stand with the government to ensure Edo remains clean and safe for all.”

In a similar development, the Chairman of Oredo Local Government, Mr Gabriel Idusere, who joined the monitoring exercise, commended residents for their cooperation.

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He, however, acknowledged public complaints about the delay in refuse evacuation.

Idusere assured that the council had put in place measures for prompt waste collection, particularly in markets and densely populated areas.

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Police Arrest Lovers, Others For Murder, Robbery In Sokoto

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The Police in Sokoto State have arrested two lovers who allegedly conspired to kill a young man, Ali Salisu, in Gidan Kacha village, Gada Local Government Area of the state.

The police said the deceased, a resident of Darnawa village, was lured to his death by his girlfriend, Rukayya Amadu, who allegedly plotted with another lover, Hamisu Ibrahim, to rob and murder him.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the tragic incident occurred on October 4, 2025, when Rukayya invited the victim to a secluded area in Dabagi bush for a private meeting.

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Unknown to him, Rukayya had arranged with Hamisu to set a deadly trap. When the victim arrived, Hamisu ambushed him, tied a rope around his neck, and strangled him to death before fleeing with his red Kasea motorcycle.”

READ ALSO:Why We Arrested Sowore – Police

It said further investigation led to the arrest of two additional suspects, Lawali Abdullahi and Ibrahim Abdullahi, who received the stolen motorcycle in Sokoto without verifying its ownership.

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The police, however, confirmed that all four suspects have been arrested and are in custody and would soon face prosecution for criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, armed robbery, and receiving stolen property.

Police arraign man for wife’s murder in Enugu
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Musa, commended the police investigators for their swift action, describing the case as “a reminder that crime, no matter how carefully concealed, cannot go unpunished.”

The police boss described the case as both tragic and instructive, saying it shows how misplaced trust and deceit can lead to unimaginable loss.

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“We call on citizens to exercise caution in personal relationships and to avoid secluded areas, especially at night,” the CP Musa said in the statement.

The police also warned buyers and traders to always confirm ownership documents before purchasing valuable items such as motorcycles, vehicles, or electronics.

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“Receiving stolen property is a serious offense. Ignorance will not absolve anyone from criminal liability.”

The Command further urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station, assuring them that all information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

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Lagos: Festac DPO, Matilda Ngbaronye Is Dead

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The Divisional Police Officer, DPO of the Festac Division, Lagos State, Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Matilda Umiah Ngbaronye is dead.

It was gathered that the senior police officer died on Friday October 24, 2025, in an undisclosed hospital in the Surulere area of Lagos.

TVC News reports that the unfortunate incident has thrown the Lagos State Police Command into mourning.

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Until her death, Ngbaronye was widely regarded as one of the vibrant and dedicated officers in the Lagos Command.

READ ALSO:Police Recover 75 Stolen Phones, Five Laptops In Lagos

Ngbaronye, who previously served as the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO for the Lagos State Police Command, was known for her professionalism, discipline, and commitment to duty.

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Her passing has left colleagues and subordinates in deep sorrow, as tributes continue to pour in from officers and residents of the Festac community.

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