Metro

Two Bankers Arraigned For Alleged N20m Theft

Published

11 months ago

June 6, 2023

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Tuesday, arraigned two bankers, Freeman Jacob and Umar Abdullahi before Justice Simon Akpah Amobeda of the Federal High Court, Kano on a three-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The commission also arraigned two others – Ahmed Bashir and Abdulhakim Musa (aka Gandu) for working with the duo in 2020.

According to the commission, the defendants allegedly conspired among themselves to produce an ATM card in the name of one Alhaji Sani Muntari.

They used the same to steal the sum of N20,000,000 from his bank.

One of the charges reads, “That you, Freeman Austin Jacob, Umar Abdullahi, sometime in February 2020, at Kano within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, connived with Ahmed Bashir and Abdulhakim Musa to prime and issued Automated Teller Machine card” from a commercial bank account number belonging to one Alhaji Sani Mutari without the knowledge or consent of the said customer and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14 (7) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc,) Act, 2015.

The defendants perpetrated the fraud by using the account holder’s SIM card, which was stolen by Bashir, the third defendant, to produce an ATM card with the help of the first and second defendants.

It added that the investigation traced some of the proceeds of the theft to the bank account of the fourth defendant, Abdulkarim Musa, a friend of the third defendant, Ahmed Bashir.

However, all the defendants pleaded not guilty.

Counsel for the prosecution, Aisha Tahar Habib prayed that the defendants be remanded and urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

Counsel representing the 1st and 2nd defendants made an oral bail application on behalf of his clients which was opposed by the prosecution counsel on the grounds that the application ought to be formal.

L.A Umar who represented the 4th defendant informed that she intends to file a formal bail application and subsequently prayed to the court for a date to do the same and serve the prosecution.

After listening to the parties’ submissions, Justice Amobeda agreed with the prosecution that bail applications should be made formally as the court is a court of record.

He subsequently remanded the defendant and adjourned the matter till June 26, 2023, for hearing of bail applications and commencement of trial.

PUNCH

Metro

Edo Police Parade 21 Suspects Over Alleged Murder, Cultism, Pipeline Vandalism

Published

6 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Editor

No fewer than 21 suspects were on Tuesday paraded by the Nigeria police, Edo State Command, for alleged robbery, unlawful possession of fire arms, murder, cultism, illicit drugs, economic sabotage and pipeline vandalism.

Parading the suspects at the Command headquarters, Benin City, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Mr. Funsho Adegboye, said the suspects were arrested at different parts of the state for various crimes.

Among the suspects were Ovie Samuel (46), Stanley Itota (45), Felix Oputi (46), Kadiri Hassan (45) and Alex Akaeze, who were arrested for being in possession of 1,080 kilograms of ICE (hard drug), worth ₦20, million street value.

Adegboye described successes recorded by operatives of the different units of the Command in the last two weeks as “a season of harvest of criminals.”

“This has been a season of harvest of criminals. the suspects were arrested within a period of two weeks and all this is done to make Edo safe for the citizens to carry out businesses in the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, CP Funsho Adegboye has advised parents to warn their children, especially university students, to avoid being used by unscrupulous politicians.

He gave the warning ahead of the commencement of governorship electioneering.

“We want to implore members of the public to please warn their wards, especially young people, especially university students.

“Our youths should be discouraged, they should not be used as tools in the hands of some unscrupulous politicians.

“Like I advised the executive members of the Students’ Union of the University of Benin, the people that are making use of them, their own children are not around, so why would they want to get involved,” he said.

Adegboye, who commended the people of the state for supporting the police, appealed to all stakeholders to continue to give useful information to enable the police to fight crimes and criminality in the state.

Metro

JUST IN: Aircraft Belonging To Dana Air Skids Off Lagos Airport Runway

Published

14 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Editor

An aircraft belonging to Dana Air has skidded off the runway in Lagos State.

Details about the incident are still unclear as of the time of filing this report.; however, a source confirmed to our correspondent that no casualties were recorded.

Details soon…

Metro

Cable Theft Soldiers Dismissed

Published

1 day ago

April 22, 2024

Editor

The Nigerian Army has dismissed two soldiers accused of stealing armoured cables at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos State.

The soldiers, Corporal Innocent Joseph and Lance Corporal Jacob Gani, were arrested while moving out of the facility with 897 armoured cables cut to size.

Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who earlier described the action of the soldiers as “totally unacceptable and highly regrettable” confirmed their dismissal in a statement on Monday, April 22.

“In line with Nigerian Army’s (NA) commitment to upholding high standard of professionalism, integrity and discipline, the NA wishes to update the general public on the outcome of the investigation into the alleged theft of armoured cables at the Dangote Refinery premises on 14th April 2024, involving Corporal Innocent Joseph and Lance Corporal Jacob Gani,” the statement read.

“Sequel to a thorough investigation conducted in collaboration with the management of the company, the two soldiers were found to have abandoned their duty post and to be in unauthorized possession of the materials.

“Subsequently, they were both charged for Failure to Perform Military Duties punishable under section 57, sub section (1) and Other Civil Offences punishable under section 114, sub section (1) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20, the Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. They were summarily tried.

“During the trial, the evidence against them was presented and they were given the opportunity to present their cases and defend themselves, but were however found guilty of the charges levelled against them in accordance with military laws.

“As a demonstration of NA’s zero-tolerance for misconduct and criminality within its ranks, the two soldiers have been dismissed from the NA with immediate effect and handed over to relevant authorities for further prosecution.

“This decisive action underscores the NA’s resoluteness in maintaining its institutional integrity and reputation.

“The NA reassures the general public of its dedication to upholding integrity, discipline and accountability at all levels. We remain resolute in our duty to protect and serve the nation with honor and dignity.

“We urge the public to continue to support our efforts in safeguarding national security and promoting peace and stability across the nation.”