Metro
EFCC Arraigns Lawyer For Allegedly Defrauding Victims Of N1.3bn In Uyo

The Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a lawyer, Alexander Ozougwu, before the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for allegedly defrauding his victims of N1.323 billion.
The EFCC’s Head of Media & Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, in a statement released to newsmen in Uyo, noted that Ozougwu allegedly committed an offence punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
According to Oyewale, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Uyo Zonal Directorate, on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, arraigned legal practitioner Barrister Alexander Uchenna Ozougwu before Justice Sergius Onah of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for allegedly defrauding his victims to the tune of N1,323,850,000.00 (One Billion, Three Hundred and Twenty-Three Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) through a bogus foreign exchange investment scheme.”
He was arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, in contravention of the provisions of Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
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One of the charges against him reads: “That you, Alexander Uchenna Ozougwu, sometime in September 2024 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did take possession of the total sum of Two Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N268,850,000) through a bank account with account name—STARLIGHT ATTORNEYS—which you knew formed proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: obtaining money by false pretence, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
Another charge reads: “That you, Alexander Uchenna Ozougwu, sometime in July 2024 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did take possession of the total sum of Two Hundred and Thirteen Million Naira (N213,000,000) through a bank account with the account name STARLIGHT ATTORNEYS, which you knew formed proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: obtaining money by false pretence, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him. In response, the prosecution counsel, Joshua O. Abolarin, requested the court to remand the defendant at a correctional center and set a date for trial. However, the defense counsel, C. M. Onuchukwu, informed the court of a bail application filed on self-recognizance and assured that the defendant would be available for trial.
After listening to both counsels, Justice Onah granted bail in the sum of N500,000,000 (Five Hundred Million Naira) with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be civil servants of grade level 12 and above and must own landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court.
The court also ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport and two recent passport photographs with the court.
Oyewale disclosed that Ozougwu was arraigned following complaints from four petitioners who alleged that he presented himself as a registered Bureau de Change operator with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Gaining their trust, he allegedly collected the passwords to their betting accounts, promising to help them fund their accounts but instead diverting the funds.
“Investigations revealed that the defendant was operating a Ponzi scheme under the guise of exchanging dollars for his victims and channeled most of the funds to various betting platforms. A total of N1,323,850,000.00 was discovered to have been diverted from the accounts of the petitioners,” Oyewale stated.
Justice Onah adjourned the case to March 31, 2025, for trial.
Metro
18-year-old Hangs Self, Police Launch Investigation

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the death of an 18-year-old identified as Tersoo Veregh, who allegedly took his own life in Makurdi, the state capital.
According to Zagazola Makama, the deceased’s father, Mr. Veregh Nathaniel, of Iorkyaako Street, High Level area of Makurdi, made the tragic discovery around 2:00 a.m. on October 4, when he stepped out of his room to ease himself and found his son hanging from the ceiling.
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Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of ‘B’ Division, Makurdi, led a team of detectives to the scene. The body was photographed and later taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital mortuary.
Police authorities said an investigation has commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Metro
Police Intercept Illicit Drugs, Recover Pistols In Delta

The Delta State Police Command has intercepted a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected illicit drugs.
The truck, with registration number 3BGT 18LG, driven by one Dennis Uruma, a 52-year-old man from Igalamela Local Government Area of Kogi State, was intercepted by a patrol team of the Eagle Net Special Squad, Asaba, led by Commander SP Danyaya Yunusa.
The operation was conducted in synergy with the Office of the Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Illicit Drugs and Human Trafficking.
READ ALSO:NDLEA Intercepts 174 Parcels Of Cocaine Hidden In Body Cream Containers
The driver was arrested after the search, while the counting and measurement of the exhibits are ongoing.
In another development, on October 3, 2025, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, led by Commander CSP Nosa Alex, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a targeted raid on a suspected criminal hideout around the Basket Market area of Asaba.
During the operation, three suspects, Rabbi Godwin, 25, Lucky Nanakumo, 20, and David Igwe, 19, were arrested.
A search of the location yielded one fabricated Beretta pistol, which was recovered and secured as evidence.
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Again, on October 1, 2025, the DPO ‘B’ Division, Asaba, CSP Edewor Akponegware, led his surveillance team in a swift response to a distress report about a robbery incident around the BONSAAC axis of Asaba, where a female victim was dispossessed of her phone and other valuables at gunpoint by two male suspects.
Working with local vigilantes, the team established a discreet cordon and began a methodical sweep of adjoining streets.
The coordinated push paid off when officers intercepted one suspect, Amara Nwako, 21, a male indigene of Oko, while his accomplice fled into an uncompleted building.
A locally made pistol was recovered during a search of the immediate vicinity. Preliminary findings revealed a possible cult affiliation linking the suspect to a certain Arobaga secret cult.
According to Bright Edafe, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, all the suspects remain in custody, while a manhunt is underway for the fleeing accomplice.
(DAILY POST)
Metro
NDLEA Intercepts 174 Parcels Of Cocaine Hidden In Body Cream Containers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine concealed in body cream containers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
This operation, which was part of its efforts to dismantle two major drug cartels, led to six separate cocaine shipments destined for the UK. On September 16, NDLEA operatives seized 13.4 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in cocoa butter containers.
A cargo agent was arrested, directing investigators to 56-year-old Hammed Taofeek Ode, identified as the syndicate leader.
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After weeks of intelligence gathering, the NDLEA coordinated with police to apprehend Ode, who had spent over 27 years in various European countries before returning to Nigeria in 2024.
“During his preliminary interview, Alhaji Hammed Ode admitted ownership of the consignment, which he claimed he bought at over N150 million. He described himself as a businessman and real estate developer, ” the statement reads.
READ ALSO:NDLEA Busts Cartel, Recovers ₦6.4bn Drugs From Kingpins
In another development, five attempts by a different cartel to export cocaine to the UK were thwarted between September 26 and October 2. On September 26, the NDLEA intercepted 2.1 kg of cocaine hidden in hair cream containers at MMIA, leading to the arrest of Smith David Korede. An additional 1.4 kg of cocaine was recovered from his location.
On October 2, two more suspects, Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa, were arrested after two UK-bound shipments were seized. In other states, including Kwara, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Edo, and Kogi, several suspects were also arrested with varying amounts of tramadol and cannabis.
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