Metro

Lagos Court Convicts Firm Over ₦21m Fraud

Published

4 months ago

January 28, 2026

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted a company, Rahvet International Limited, for fraud involving the sum of ₦21 million, following its guilty plea to a charge of stealing, Nigeria’s anti-graft agency said on Wednesday.

Justice Ismail Ijelu delivered the judgment on January 28, 2026, after the company was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The firm was prosecuted on an amended one-count charge bordering on stealing, contrary to Section 285(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

According to the charge, Rahvet International Limited allegedly fraudulently converted ₦21,000,000 belonging to Chioma Adeoye in June 2021, within the Ikeja Judicial Division of the court.

The company pleaded guilty when the charge was read.

“During the investigation, it was discovered that a total sum of ₦21 million was paid into the company’s account,” he also told the court.

Following the guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, Anita Imo, called on EFCC investigator, Leonard Ayakor, to present the facts of the case. Ayakor told the court that the company approached the complainant under the pretext of conducting a research project and persuaded her to transfer funds into the company’s bank account.

He stated that investigations by the EFCC revealed that the complainant had paid a total of ₦21 million into the account of Rahvet International Limited. Ayakor further informed the court that the funds were later found to have been fraudulently converted by the company.

In his testimony, the investigator also confirmed that the company had fully refunded the complainant during the course of the investigation. The prosecution subsequently tendered documentary evidence, including a copy of the petition and the defendant’s statements, which were admitted by the court.

In his ruling, Justice Ijelu found Rahvet International Limited guilty as charged and convicted the company accordingly. The court ordered the firm to pay a fine of ₦100,000 within 72 hours.

The EFCC said the conviction underscored its ongoing efforts to combat economic and financial crimes, including corporate fraud, in Lagos and other parts of the country.

The commission has continued to pursue cases involving companies and individuals accused of defrauding members of the public under various guises, including investment schemes and business proposals.

The Lagos judiciary has, in recent years, handled a growing number of fraud-related cases brought by the EFCC, reflecting increased enforcement actions by the agency and heightened public awareness of financial crimes.

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

7 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

1 day ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.