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Fraud: Suspects Jump Bail, Sureties Forfeit N9m Bond

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Two employees of the Kwara State Government who stood as sureties for suspects being investigated by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for internet fraud-related offences have incurred the wrath of the law over their failure to produce suspects for trial.

The two civil servants are Adenigba Olusola, an employee of the State Judicial Service Commission and Bisiriyu Abdulfatai, a staff of the State Universal Basic Education Board.

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Adenigba stood as surety for one Amaechi Umenye and Adeyemi Adedeji, while Bisiriyu stood for Dawodu Olusoji.

The two civil servants had made an undertaking to produce the defendants who are now at large each time they were needed by the anti-graft agency.

The trio of Amaechi, Adeyemi and Dawodu were amongst the 30 suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of the state sometime in 2020 while acting on anonymous petition received by the EFCC on the activities of the scammers popularly known as “Yahoo Boys” in the area.

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As investigations progressed in the matter, both Adenigba and Bisiriyu wrote separate bail applications to the Ilorin Zonal Commander of the EFCC, entered bail bonds and promised to produce the defendants anytime their attention was needed.

The suspects after their release, jumped the administrative bail granted them by the Commission while the sureties also could not produce them.

Consequently, the Commission approached Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court for the sureties to show cause why the bail bond should not be forfeited or the sureties be committed to prison.

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Delivering ruling on the applications on Friday, Justice Akinpelu agreed with the submission of the EFCC lawyers – Sesan Ola and Andrew Akoja that the two Kwara civil servants should forfeit their bail bond.

READ ALSO: Court Remands Bizman Over Alleged N11m Fraud

The court ordered Adenigba (surety to Amaechi) to forfeit the recognisance of N5million and remit the sum of N4.5million thereon, but pay the sum of N500,000 within 3 months or be committed to six months imprisonment in the event he failed to pay the said sum.

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On Adeyemi’s case, the Judge ordered Adenigba to forfeit the recognisance of N1million and remit the sum of N750,000 thereon, but pay the sum of N250,000 within three months or be committed to prison for five months in the event he failed to pay the said sum.

For Bisiriyu, who stood as surety for Dawodu, Justice Akinpelu ordered the surety to forfeit the recognisance of N3million and remit the sum of N2million thereon, while he was ordered to pay N1million within three months or be committed to six months imprisonment in the event he failed to pay the said sum.

 

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16 Escape Death In Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway Crash

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Sixteen people narrowly escaped death on Monday night in a crash involving a Camry car, a Suzuki bus, and a tricycle at Iron Market along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

Ota Divisional Commander of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Mr Salau Hammed, confirmed the incident to News Agency Nigeria on Tuesday, noting that the crash occurred around 8:20 p.m.

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He said the accident involved a Camry car, a tricycle, both with no registration, and a Suzuki bus marked KRD 246 YK.

READ ALSO: Ten Feared, Others Injured In Oyo Road Accident

He said that a total of 16 persons were involved in the accident; however, three persons, comprising two males and a female, sustained various degrees of injuries.

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Hammed explained that the Camry lost control due to speeding and rammed into two other vehicles.

Those who sustained injuries were immediately taken to Adetutu Hospital, Ilepa area for treatment,” he said.

READ ALSO:Seven Die, 23 Rescued In Greece Boat Accident

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Hammed advised motorists against speeding to prevent avoidable crashes.

He said that the vehicles had been removed from the road to ease free flow of traffic.

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High-tension Wire Electrocutes PoS Operator In Anambra

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A Point of Sales male operator in Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been electrocuted by a fallen high tension line.

It was gathered that the victim got electrocuted after a high-tension wire was cut and fell on him, while standing in front of his shop located under the high-tension wire.

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According to eyewitnesses near the scene, the incident happened over the weekend, but the lifeless body of the victim, which was still lying on the ground, with the high-tension wire still lying on his body as of Tuesday, was still oozing out smoke, creating panic in the area.

This was corroborated by a video from the scene of the incident, currently trending on social media, showing the victim lying lifeless on the ground, with the high-tension wire still lying on his body, still oozing out smoke and sparks.

READ ALSO:LASU Shuts Hostels, Suspends Exams Amid Staff Union Strike

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Although the full identity of the victim is yet to be ascertained, sources from the area said he recently got married.

The Managing Director/CEO of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Ossy Onuko, who reacted to the development on Tuesday, described the incident as unfortunate, noting that such misfortunes are part of the reasons the agency carries out sensitisation and enforcement against building or trading under the high-tension wire.

Onuko also noted that during the sensitisation, people often criticise them for their enforcement against trading under the high tension wire.

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He said, “This is something we have been campaigning against from time to time, that it is very dangerous to build or trade under the high-tension wire.

READ ALSO:FEC Approves N145bn Electrification Projects For UNILAG, UI, Six Others

It is part of the reasons why most times, on social media, we are vilified as being inhumane for trying to let people know that they cannot either build or trade under the tension.

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“It is something very pathetic. It’s a suicide mission to have your shop or your kiosk or your roadside activities under the tension. The avoidable loss of life is unfortunate. It is sadly one example of many negative outcomes and resultant effects of such an act of negligence to safety.

“That should serve as a deterrent to others who still indulge in such prohibited acts. This should also make the public understand that the sensitisation and enforcement being carried out by ACTDA against such things are not to witch-hunt them, but for their safety.

“Unfortunately, we have lost a soul. I pray for the peaceful repose of this soul. But also, it should serve as a deterrent to others, that they shouldn’t just fold their arms and wait for us, when we come, they run away and return when we leave.

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“People should see it as a personal responsibility to be safety conscious, and also enlighten others, not just themselves. No precious life is worth being lost to such a careless and avoidable death. A stitch in time saves nine.”
(PUNCH)

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Cybercrime: Court Fines 21 Foreign Nationals N1m Each, Orders Deportation

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday convicted 21 foreign nationals over high-level cybercrime, fining each of them N1 million.

The trial judge, Justice Ekerete Akpan, while delivering judgment on the plea bargain reached between the convicts and the Nigeria Police Force, ordered the immediate departure of all 21 of them from Nigeria within six working days.

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The convicts are among 109 foreign nationals being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police over charges of cybercrime, money laundering, and actions deemed threats to Nigeria’s national security in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/599/2024.

The 21 convicted individuals are Yang Yang (33), Li Xiao Fen (41), Zheng Peng Zhan (28), Shu Huan (20), Jupanpan (25), Feng Guo (29), Zhao Yifan (31), Mahunan (26), Wang Yi Bo (24), Chen Yan Qi (26), and Shi Hao Jie (28), all represented in court by Linda Ikpeazu.

READ ALSO:Internet Fraud: Chinese Nationals Lose $222,729 In Digital Assets To FG

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Others are Xiejang Bing (29), Zheng Jian Feng, Zheng Peng Fei (32), Wei Tang (32), Wang Hao (27), Cheng Xing (30), Yang Xu Gung (27), Zhu Jiu Hui (28), Xhou Kia Lai (28), and Tue Xue Fie (21, female), represented by Julius Mba.

The 109 defendants, from countries including China, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, were arraigned in 2024 on a six-count charge.

They initially pleaded not guilty and were remanded in Kuje and Keffi Correctional Centres, respectively, pending fulfilment of stringent bail conditions set on November 29, 2024, which included N1 billion bail and five sureties with N200 million worth of landed property each.

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The Police alleged that the accused operated out of Plot 1906, Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District, Abuja, where they were running a “fraudulent and unregistered gaming platform.”

READ ALSO:14 Chinese Jailed For Cyberterrorism, Internet Fraud In Lagos

One of the counts read that they “aided, abetted, conspired among themselves to commit an offence, to wit; cybercrime,” contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended 2024).

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They were also charged with unlawful access to a computer network and input of inauthentic data, punishable under Section 13 of the Cybercrimes Act.

They were also accused of laundering proceeds generated from illegal platforms, including 9f.com, c2.top, and 8pg.top, in violation of Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The final charge accused the defendants of overstaying their 30-day business permits — an offence punishable under Section 44 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act, 2015.

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READ ALSO:PICTORIAL: Lagos Court Jails Nine Chinese For Cybercrimes

Justice Akpan, in his judgment, held that the sentence was based on the agreed terms of the bargain.

After the defendants entered the plea bargain agreement without being forced, I hereby convict you as charged.

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“The sentence shall be based on the parties’ agreement of N1 million fine each, against each of the defendants which shall be paid before their release. They shall depart the country within six working days,” he said.

When asked if the fines had been paid, defence counsel, Linda Ikpeazu, told the court, “My lord, we are going to pay in the next five minutes.”

READ ALSO:Court Remands 13 Chinese Nationals Over Cybercrime, Security Breach

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Justice Akpan also ordered that all gadgets used in the commission of the crimes be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Lead prosecuting counsel, A.A. Egwu, appeared for the Inspector-General of Police, while Ikpeazu and Mba represented different subsets of the 21 convicts.

The matter was adjourned to October 22nd and 23rd for the continuation of the trial of the remaining 88 defendants.
(PUNCH)

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