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EFCC Arraigns One For N11.4m Fraud In Enugu

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The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Ukwueze Chidera Matthew before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu State.

The suspect was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing to the tune of N11, 458, 597. 53.

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One of the charges reads: “That you, Ukwueze Chidera Matthew, Chijioke Stephen Thomas (At large) and Chibuike Ignatius Okoli (At large) sometime between 30th March 2022 and 8th June 2022 in Enugu, Enugu State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria retained the sum of N11,458,597.53 (Eleven Million, Four Hundred and Fifty-eight thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety-Seven Naira, Fifty-Three Kobo) which you stole from Keystone account number 1012123695 belonging to Ajogwu Blessing Ukamaka which you knew or ought to have known to be proceed of your unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 20 (b) of Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022”.

READ ALSO: Woman Jumps Into River From Moving Boat In Lagos

He pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to him.

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The counsel to the EFCC, B. Ajogwu, prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at Enugu State Correctional facility.

However, the Defence Counsel, G. O. Ugwuoke informed the court about a pending bail application before it.

Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo thereafter adjourned the matter till March 12, 2024, for hearing of the bail application and June 26 and 27, 2024 for trial. The defendant was remanded at Enugu State Correctional Facility.

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The anti-graft agency further stated that the defendant was arrested after he allegedly withdrew N11,458,597.53 from the petitioner’s bank account without her consent.

It was further revealed that the defendant, who belongs to a syndicate of fraudsters, stole the petitioner’s Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card and used the same to hack into her bank account and diverted the said sum.

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Police Kill Two Suspected Kidnappers In Delta, Recover AK-47 Rifle The Delta

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The Delta State Police Command says it has killed two suspected kidnappers at Owa Ekei Boji Boji Owa axis in Ika North-East Local Government area of Delta State.

The Police Public Relations Officer Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement released on Wednesday in Asaba.

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He said, “Delta State Police command, in a combined effort with men of Operation Delta Sweep recorded a breakthrough in the fight against Kidnapping in the state.

“On September 17, 2025, at 11 am, the DPO Owa-oyibu received information that some kidnappers were sighted at Nniogbo Owa Ekei Boji Boji Owa.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Suspected Robber, Three Others With Firearm In Delta

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“Acting on this information, the DPO led a combined team of Policemen and vigilantes alongside two teams of Operation Delta sweep and swung into action. The combined teams stormed the bush where the suspects, upon sighting the teams, opened fire, which was repelled by the teams.

“In the fierce gun duel, two of the suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to Owa-Alero general hospital, where they were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.”

Edafe said one AK-47 rifle, with forty rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and two magazines were recovered from the hoodlums while the manhunt for the other fleeing suspects was ongoing.

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According to The PUNCH, that there had been a series of kidnap cases around Owa Ekei Boji Boji Owa, Abavo and neighbouring communities in recent times which made the residents abandon their farms out of fear of the unknown.

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Tragedy As Erosion Sweeps Away Motorcyclist In Edo

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Photo: file copy

Tragedy struck Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, as a motorcyclist, popularly known as Okada, was swept away by erosion.

The tragic incident which reportedly happened after a heavy downpour on Tuesday evening, has sparked renewed concern over the worsening case of erosion in most parts of Edo State.

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The incident was captured in a viral video that is circulating widely across social media platforms.

In the video, an individual was heard narrating that the incident occurred at Uwenlenbo Road, near Zekor Hotel in Ekpoma.

The narrator in the video
described the scene as horrifying, adding that the powerful rush of water overwhelmed the rider.

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READ ALSO: Scientists Find Proof That Breast Cancer Recurrence Can Be Eliminated

According to the voice, the rider was carrying a female passenger, before he was swept away by the furious erosion, which had a free day due to lack of proper water channel in most parts of the state.

Another voice was heard in the video asking people to assist the bike rider who was struggling with the wave of water until he was swept away.

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The victim’s bike plate number was thereafter displayed by sympathizers who begged those who know him to come up to identify him.

the sympathisers in the video called for urgent intervention by both state and federal government agencies, lamenting that erosion continues to threaten lives and property in the state.

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Customs Unveil E-clearance Platform To Decongest Apapa Port

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The Nigeria Customs Service has launched Overtime E-Clearance System, an automated platform aimed at improving cargo management and reducing port congestion at Apapa Port.

According to the Service, the platform, unveiled on Monday, will address a staggering 15-year backlog of abandoned cargo and tackle corruption in the system.

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Customs announced this in a statement on its X handle on Tuesday.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, officially introduced the system during a sensitisation exercise in Lagos.

READ ALSO:10 Things Candidates Should Know About Customs Recruitment CBT Exams

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He said the platform will enable consignees to submit and track applications remotely, cutting repeated visits to Customs offices and limiting manual interference.

The system builds on an earlier policy that extended cargo dwelling periods from 30 to 120 days to give stakeholders more flexibility. The focus is transparency, integrity and adherence to the law. We urge stakeholders to test the system and provide feedback ahead of full deployment,” Adeniyi said.

NCos boss warned against attempts to abuse the process, citing a 15-year-old overtime cargo case still under investigation as an example of why loopholes must be closed.

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READ ALSO: Customs Appoint New Controller For Ondo/Ekiti Command

He added that deliberate abandonment of cargo to evade duties would attract tougher sanctions, with intelligence units monitoring misuse.

Under the rollout plan, Customs will hold further sensitisation sessions this week with terminal operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders before expanding engagement to additional commands.

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Deployment will follow once feedback is reviewed and legal queries addressed, the statement added.

According to The PUNCH, this development comes shortly after Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, directed Customs to suspend the implementation of the 4% Free on Board levy on imported goods.

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