by Admin | May 26, 2017 | Blog |
Follow @NigeriaPI Three Nigerian scammers who befriended many of their victims on dating sites have been slammed huge prison sentences by a Mississippi court after making tens of millions of dollars from their schemes. Oladimeji Seun Ayelotan, 30, was sentenced to 95 years in prison; Rasaq Aderoju Raheem, 31, was given 115 years and Femi Alexander Mewase, 45, got 25 years behind bars, according to a report. A court in the Southern District of Mississippi had in February found them all guilty of crimes including mail fraud, wire fraud, identity theft, credit card fraud and theft of government property. Ayelotan and Raheem were also found guilty of conspiracies to commit bank fraud and money laundering. Dating back to at least 2001, the scammers were involved in multiple internet fraud schemes, resulting in losses in the tens of millions, according to the Department of Justice. It claimed that they would befriend women on dating sites, establish a romantic relationship and then either get them to send money or have them participate in fraud schemes, usually without the victim’s knowledge. The unsuspecting women would sometimes be required to cash counterfeit checks and money orders; use stolen credit card details to purchase goods; and use stolen personal information to take over victims’ bank accounts. They were also apparently used to launder money via Western Union and MoneyGram, and re-package and re-ship goods obtained fraudulently. A whopping 21 defendants have already been charged in this ongoing case, 12 of whom have pleaded guilty to charges involving conspiracy and 11 of whom have been sentenced. The three Nigerians were among the six extradited from...
by Admin | May 26, 2017 | Blog |
Follow @NigeriaPI The US embassy in Nigeria, on Friday concluded training for 60 Nigerian anti-bomb policemen in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the one-month training included four sessions of 15 participants who will become Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) mentors. In his remarks, Mr Scoitie Blancett, the Regional Security Officer in the US Embassy, said they were happy to share their expertise with the officers. He expressed optimism that the effects of the training would bring about safety for people in the country. The training was facilitated by the American Embassy in Nigeria through the Office of Anti-Terrorism Assistant (ATA) in conjunction with the NPF. In his closing remarks, Mr Ibrahim Idris, the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) said the officers would serve as trainers to other officers in their various commands. “The beneficiaries are expected to impart the knowledge acquired to other bomb technicians across the country in order to enhance EOD service delivery,” he said. Idris, who was represented by the DIG Operations, Mr Joshak Habila, expressed gratitude to the U.S. Consul General in Nigeria, the region security officer, US Embassy in Abuja and the facilitators for the training. He assured Nigerians that with the number of trained officers, there would be no vacuum in states and communities the military were leaving in the North East. “The training was designed to expose participants to current trends in rendering safe/disposal of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and Unexploded Ordnance (UXOs) through the application of EOD standard, practice and technique. “Participants were taken on overview of recent threat particularly in Nigeria and by extension, the Africa Bomb threat...
by Admin | May 26, 2017 | Blog |
Follow @NigeriaPI The Appeal Court sitting in Kaduna on Thursday adjourned hearing till Nov. 9, in the appeal filed by former Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema against his trial by a Katsina State High Court. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shema had approached the Appeal Court with an interlocutory application, to challenge the ruling of the high court. The Katsina High Court had on March 29, 2017 refused Shema’s motion seeking the court to quash his trial by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). The EFCC had arraigned the former Governor and three others before Justice Maikaita Bako for alleged fraud of N11 billion belonging to the State. However, Bako could not go on with the case following an application brought before him by the accused persons for a stay of proceedings on the trial. Counsel to Shema Akinlolu Kehinde had also told the court that the motion before the court of appeal had been assigned and scheduled for hearing on 25 May, 2017 and urged it to stay proceedings pending the decision of the appeal court. The prosecution counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, who did not oppose the application, however, filed an application for amendment of the EFCC charge before the court. Bako had granted the application for stay of proceedings but refused the prosecution’s application for amendment, saying it must wait until after the appeal court decision on the motion filed by the accused persons. At the resumed hearing of the Appeal on Thursday, May 25, Counsel to Shema, J.B. Daudu submitted an oral application seeking a subsitution of the motion submitted earlier to the...
by Admin | May 26, 2017 | Blog |
Follow @NigeriaPI Two soldiers have been arrested in Edo for allegedly disrupting the sitting of a mobile court at Oba Ovoranmen Square in Benin. The Spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, DSP. Moses Nkombe, confirmed the arrest of the soldiers on Thursday in Benin. He said that the State Criminal Investigation Department had taken over the investigation of the matter. “It is true, soldiers went to the mobile court to free some suspects. Our policemen resisted them.” The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that five soldiers stormed the court on Wednesday, after a retired soldier failed to secure the release of his wife, who was arrested and was about to be arraigned before the court. Sources said that policemen attached to the mobile court resisted the soldiers, resulting to exchange of gunfire. The sources said the soldiers overpowered the policemen and scattered the court. All the seats and canopies were over-turned while arrested suspects were set free. The Acting Managing Director of the Edo State Waste Management Board, Mr Aiyamenkhue Akonofua, said that several people were injured in the stampede. Akonofua said that the presiding Magistrate, Ihenyen Aigbediofe, was whisked away to safety. Akonofua said that two out of the five soldiers were arrested and that the state’s Police Commissioner, Mr Haliru Gwandu, had assured that the law would take its course. source:...
by Admin | May 26, 2017 | Blog |
Follow @NigeriaPI Mr Fatai Owoseni, Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of two suspects over the alleged killing of an Inspector and two civilians in Ibeju-Lekki. Owoseni announced the arrest when he visited the area, following a bloody clash that left the officer and two other men dead during a festival on Saturday. The police commissioner warned members of the community, including traditional rulers, against causing breach of public peace. “We will make sure there is no reprisal attacks in the community but the traditional heads need to do something to stem the crisis. “Elders in this community should be ashamed of themselves. “The police helped you to settle clashes but you went ahead to kill an inspector,’’ Owoseni said. He charged religious leader to always preach peace among their adherents so as to stem the crisis “You should always use your wisdom and position to calm the community. “The Police will continue to do its best in chasing militants away from your community. “But you are starting an internal fight instead of joining hands with us to combat them.’’ The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the clash started when some youths from Ilagbo community and Oriyanrin town fought during the Kilajolu festival at Ilagbo. In the scuffle that ensued, two civilians and one Inspector of Police were killed while several houses, vehicles and property worth millions of naira were destroyed. source:...
by Admin | May 23, 2017 | Blog |
Follow @NigeriaPI Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in the early hours of Tuesday shot dead a notorious cultist during a gun battle in Sime community, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers. Col. Aminu Iliyasu, the division’s Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, made the disclosure in a statement issued to newsmen on Tuesday in Port Harcourt. He said that the deceased cultist was the leader of Dey Bam secret cult group fingered in extra judicial killings. He added that the late cultist was on the wanted list of Rivers Police command. Iliyasu said one suspected cultist was arrested while several others fled the scene with gunshot wounds in the operation that lasted several hours. “Troops of 29 Battalion deployed to Ebubu, Eleme LGA and the anti-robbery team deployed along Port Harcourt–Akwa Ibom road conducted a successful raid operation in Sime community. “During the operation, the troops engaged in gun duel with members of the notorious Dey Bam cult group led by one Mr Supreme, who has been on the wanted list of Rivers government. “Supreme was shot during the gun battle and later died as a result of excessive bleeding while several others (suspected cultists) escaped with gunshot wounds. “One SIGP228 pistol with registration number 299MME225 and ten rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered during the raid,” he said. Iliyasu said one suspected cultist was arrested and handed over to Rivers Police command for further investigation. The spokesman said the raid was part of the army’s clampdown on persons and groups involved in criminality in the state and its environs. According to him, the division has already deployed...
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