Metro

Rivers Court Remands Couple Over Alleged N500m Fraud

Published

2 years ago

November 29, 2023

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has remanded a couple; Mr Emmanuel Dike and his wife, Ugochi Dike in the Port Harcourt Correctional Center over alleged N500 million fraud.

The couple who are facing five counts of conspiracy and fraud in suit Number FHC/PH/458c/ 2023 were also granted bail by the trial Judge, Justice Patricia I. Ajoku.

When the matter was mentioned in court on Wednesday, the couple separately pleaded not guilty to the charge filed by the Federal Government through the Port Harcourt Zonal Officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

According to the charge, the accused persons allegedly defrauded a company – Clipboard Office Superstores Limited, of the sum of N500 million with the pretence that it was for investment purposes that would yield the company 10 per cent interest.

Parts of the counts read, “That you Ugochi Eziaku Dike, Emmanuel Dike, Dike and Phils Associates Ltd.; Kelechi Chigozirim Ahiawe (still at large). and Ampletech Integrated Services Ltd, sometimes between August 24, 2020, and February 15, 2021, at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony, to wit: obtaining money by false pretence, and thereby committed an offence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section l(3) of the Same Act.

“That you Ugochi Eziaku Dike, Emmanuel Dike, Dike and Phil Associates Ltd., Kelechi Chigoirim Ahiawe (still at large). and Ampletech Integrated Services Ltd, at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court. fraudulently converted to your own use, Five Hundred Million Naira, (N500, 000, 000.00) only, property of Clipboard Office Superstores Limited contrary to Section 383(1) and (2) (a) of the Criminal Code Act, and punishable under section 390 (9) of the same Act.”

Also at the mention of the matter, the defense counsel, Jerome Okeke, told the court that he had filed an 11-paragraph affidavit to support his bail application.

Okeke pleaded with the court to grant his clients bail, assuring that they would be present at all sitting and would not jump bail.

But the prosecution counsel, Dr Ben Ubi who also filed an 18-paragraph affidavit to counter the bail application, told the court to refuse the bail plea.

Reacting to the arguments on the bail application, Justice Ajoku granted the bail application by the defense counsel.

Justice Ajoku granted bail of N1 million each to the couple with a surety that must be up to grade level 12 civil servants in Rivers state and should present a letter of employment and certificate of occupancy.

The court continued that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court, produce passports, photograph and admonish the lawyer to ensure his clients appear in court in the next sitting.

The court, however, adjourned till January 30, 2024, for trial and remanded the accused persons in the Port Harcourt Correctional Center, pending when they meet the bail conditions.

Metro

My 16-yr-old Marriage Is Void Of Love, I Want Divorce, Woman Tells Court

Published

8 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

My wife deserted me, My husband has failed to satisfy me s3xually I will grant my wife divorce

An Area Court in Jos, Plateau State, on Friday, dissolved the 16-year-old marriage between a couple, Hussaina Abdullahi and Saidu Ali.

Delivering judgment, the judge, Lawal Suleiman granted the prayer of Abdullahi for divorce.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN),the judge gave custody of their children to Hussaina and ordered Ali to send N 30,000 monthly through the court for the upkeep of the two children.

The judge also ordered Ali to pay the children’s school fees.

Earlier, before the divorce was granted, the petitioner told the court that she got married to Saidu in 2008.

”Our marriage lacks peace and love. I no longer love Saidu and can no longer live with him as his wife.

”I am ready to refund the N40,000 dowry he paid for my hand in marriage”, she said.

She prayed for custody of their two children.

Metro

‘My Wife Sapped Me, I Want Our Childless 26-yr-old Marriage Dissolved’— Clergy

Published

9 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

A clergyman, Adegoke, has approached Grade A Customary Court, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, seeking that it end the 26-year-old marriage between him and his wife, Adetoun on the grounds of irreconcilable differences.

Adegoke stated that no peaceful coexistence dwelt between him and his wife who is childless because she was aggressive and violent.

The plaintiff gave instances of when the defendant once slapped and bit him, and at another time hit him on the head with a scissors.

The plaintiff added that the defendant never ceased to rain curses on him.

Adegoke earnestly pleaded for divorce.

He also requested an order restraining his wife from threatening and interfering with his private life.

Adetoun refused to come to court despite being served court summonses.

Adegoke, in his testimony, said, “My wife and I got married in 1999 under the native laws and customs.

“Our union was blessed in the church two days after this, and we held a reception party.

“We have the marriage certificate given to us by the church in our possession, but unfortunately, all the pictures we took on both days got missing.

“We bore no child in our 26-year-old marriage.

“Our marriage lacks peace and rest because my wife is aggressive and difficult to live with.

“She gets angry easily and misbehaves when in this state.

“While other women bless their husband, my wife rains curses on me on a daily basis.

“Her curses, no doubt, have brought a setback in my life.

“Adetoun refused to give me the honour due to me in our home.

“She fights me on a regular basis.

“She once slapped me during one of our fights.

“To my chagrin, she showed no sign of remorse after this.

“I narrowly escaped being injured when she hit me on the head with a scissors during a heated argument.

“We had just finished Bible study one faithful day, and an argument erupted between us, which ended in a fight.

“Adetoun, before I knew it went for my hand and dug her teeth into it.

“I was in anguish for days.

“The scar it left on my hand tells the story.

“My lord, there is obviously no future in my marriage to my wife, especially that she is barren.

“I humbly plead that the court declares that we are no longer husband and wife.

“I also request an order restraining her from threatening and interfering with my private life.”

The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo, after she had heard the plaintiff adjourned the case for judgment.
(TRIBUNE)

Metro

‘I Caught My Wife Walking Hand In Hand With Her Lover’

Published

9 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

…She told me they were divorced 15 years ago — Lover

A Soldier of Kabwe, Zambia, has been awarded K18,000 as compensation after the local court upheld his adultery claim against a man he found holding hands with his wife one night in Kapiri Mposhi.

Michael Bwalya, a resident of C Gate in Kabwe, narrated before Senior Local Court magistrate, Elias Kasonde, at Kabwe One Local Court how he caught Maybin Myula with his wife, Rose Bwalya, in a compromising situation.

According to Zambia Observer, Michael told the court that he was first alerted by his eldest daughter, who informed him that his wife had a “husband” in Kapiri Mposhi.

Michael then travelled to Kapiri Mposhi with two companions, Sylvia Phiri and Humphrey Kayambe, to confirm the claims.

He said that after arriving around 20:00 hours, he was stunned to find his wife walking hand in hand with Maybin.

“The moment they saw me, he released her hand. I was so upset, but I kept calm,” he told the court.

Michael said he followed the pair to Maybin’s house, where Maybin allegedly told him that Rose had claimed to be divorced for the past 15 years.

“I told them they should consider themselves married. I was so furious I almost killed him, but I restrained myself,” he said.

In his defense, Maybin denied committing adultery, claiming he was only escorting Rose to buy medicine.

However, the magistrate, Kasonde found Maybin guilty and ordered him to compensate Michael K18,000, to be paid in monthly installments of K1,000.