Justice Malami Dogondaji of the Sokoto State High Court has convicted and sentenced Ahmad Abubakar Ahmad to 87 years imprisonment for criminal breach of trust and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N325,800,000 (three Hundred and Twenty-Five Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira). EFCC acting spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja said Abubakar was jailed on Thursday, October 5, 2023, after pleading guilty to 12-count charges bordering on criminal breach of trust and obtaining by false pretence. One of the charges reads: “That you Abubakar Ahmad Abubakar sometime in October, 2022 in Sokoto within the Judicial Division of the High Court of Justice Sokoto State, while being entrusted with property to wit: the total sum of N80,100,000.00 (Eighty Million One Hundred Thousand Naira) by one Usama Abdullahi for the purpose of Bureau de Change business; you dishonestly converted the said property/sum to your personal use in violation of the mode in which the trust was to be discharged and you thereby committed the offence of Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to Section 300 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law 2019 and punishable under Section 301 of the same Law”. Another charge reads: “That you Abubakar Ahmad Abubakar sometime in March, 2023 in Sokoto within the Judicial Division of the High Court of Justice Sokoto State, while being entrusted with property to wit: the total amount of N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) by one Najib Hamza for the purpose of Bureau de Change business; you dishonestly converted the said property/sum to your personal use in violation of the mode in which the trust was to be discharged and you thereby committed the offence of Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to Section 300 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law 2019, and punishable under Section 301 of the same Law”. Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to all the 12 counts charges preferred against her, prompting EFCC’s coiunsel, Kufre Ekpeyoung to pray the court to convict him accordingly. Defence counsel, Hamza Liman pleaded for a lighter sentence for his client “in view of the fact that he is a first-time offender” Justice Dogondaji thereafter convicted and sentenced Abubakar Ahmad Abubakar to 87 years imprisonment with an option of fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) on each count totalling N2,400.000.00 (Two Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira). He also ordered restitution of N225,661,000 (Two Hundred and Twenty Five Million Six Hundred and Sixty One Thousand Naira) to all the petitioners, through the EFCC. Ahmad’s journey to the correctional centre began when he was arrested by operatives of the Sokoto Zonal Command of the EFCC for defrauding 12 different persons of various sums of money under the guise of investments in his purported bureau de change business, which investigations proved to be false. Investigations further revealed that Ahmad promised his victims between 50% and 100% interest on their investments monthly. He neither offered them any return on their investment nor refunded their money to them.

  Capital importation dropped by 9 percent in the second quarter (Q2) of 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The bureau said the total capital imported stood at $1.03 billion, down from the $1.13 billion recorded in Q1 2023. This, the NBS said, marks a 9 percent decline on a quarter-to-quarter basis, and a 32.9 percent drop on a year-to-year review. “In Q2 2023, total capital importation into Nigeria stood at US$1,030.21 million, lower than US$1,535.35 million recorded in Q2 2022, indicating a decrease of 32.90%,” the report reads. “When compared to the preceding quarter, capital importation fell by 9.04% from US$1,132.65 million in Q1 2023. ”Other Investment ranked top accounting for 81.28% (US$837.34 million) of total capital importation in Q2 2023, followed by Portfolio Investment with 10.37% (US$106.85 million) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with 8.35% (US$86.03 million).” The report also shows that the production sector recorded the highest inflow with $605.04 million, representing 58.73 percent of total capital imported in the quarter. This was followed by the banking sector, valued at $194.58 million (18.89 percent), and shares accounting for $68.63 million (6.66 percent). In the period under review, the United States was the largest source of foreign capital imported into Nigeria, gulping 26.39 percent ($271.92 million). Singapore and South Africa were the next largest sources, at 17.2 percent ($177.44 million) and 13.29 percent ($136.95 million), respectively. “Lagos state remained the top destination in Q2 2023 with US$778.06 million, accounting for 75.52% of total capital, followed by Abuja (FCT), with US$194.28 million (18.86%),” the report further reads. “First Bank of Nigeria Limited received the highest capital into Nigeria in Q2 2023 with US$323.13 million (18.23%), followed by Citibank Nigeria Limited with US$187.77 million (12.23%) and Rand Merchant Bank with US$126.03 (6.47%).” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, since his assumption of office, has continued to reiterate his administration’s commitment to ensuring consistency in policy and a better business climate to attract investment. In a meeting with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Tinubu said attracting investments was “a promise I made personally to Nigerians. Whatever it takes, I will fulfil that promise to Nigerians”.

  The remaining worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke gan in Akure, Ondo State, abducted last Friday have been freed after payment of a huge ransom. Daily Trust gathered that the worshippers were released Thursday evening at a location in the state after a final negotiation for the ransom was reached. Recall that the kidnappers had demanded N50 million ransom for the release of the 17 victims after eight of the 25 victims escaped from the kidnappers’ den last Saturday. The victims, who are mostly choir in the church, were abducted on the notorious Elegbeka road in Ifon, Ose Local Government Area of the state while they were on their way for a funeral. A source in the church disclosed in a chat that the remaining victims were brought to the church premises late Thursday night. “The negotiating team of the church returned with the remaining victims at 11:47 pm to the church premises in Akure after a ransom was paid,” he said. Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisaya, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ondo, confirmed the release of the victims. “They were released late yesterday (Thursday) evening,” Mrs Odunlami-Omisanya said. When asked if the victims paid any ransom before they were released to their family members, she said, “I can’t confirm if a ransom was paid.” The Ondo police image maker later revealed that an effort was ongoing to arrest the abductors of the Christian worshippers.

  Suspected armed robbers on Friday engaged operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in a gun battle during a robbery operation at a hotel in Sagamu, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State. It was gathered that one Police Inspector and two security guards were shot by the suspected armed robbers in the gun duel. Our correspondent further gathered that the injured policeman and the guards were rescued to the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu. ad The Police Spokesman, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Abeokuta. She said the Sagamu Area command had received a distress call at about 1am, “that armed hoodlums were operating at Remo Majestic Hotel in Sagamu.” According to her, based on the report, a combined team of policemen were mobilised to the scene. “Immediately the hoodlums sighted the policemen, they opened sporadic firing while the policemen engaged the hoodlums. “Two of the hoodlums were fatally wounded while others escaped into a nearby bush with bullet wounds,” she said. Odutola disclosed further that, “two locally made single-barrelled guns, four unexpended cartridges, 13 expended cartridges, one pair of big scissors, 10 Android phones, one Java phone, a white Toyota Venza Car with registration number BWR 123DD Abuja were among items recovered at the scene of crime.” She added that “the suspected armed robbers had earlier mingled with lodgers before launching the dastard attacks.” Odutola quoted the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu Abiodun, to have ordered immediate manhunt for the two fleeing suspects.

  The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, said it intercepted eight trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice and others worth N1.76 billion in September. The acting Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Mr Adewale Adeniyi, said this at a news conference on Friday in Lagos. Adeniyi said the seizures took place at various times and locations within the border corridors of the South-West states. He added that the unit generated N72.8 million in revenue through meticulous documentary checks and the issuance of demand notices on those that paid lesser amounts than the appropriate customs duty. According to him, agriculture, being the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy, underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving self-sustaining growth and enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians. “In alignment with this commitment and the spirit of patriotism, our dedicated officers executed a series of operations resulting in the interception and seizure of 7,029 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice. “The objective of this action is twofold; to discourage potential traders from engaging in smuggling activities and to inflict financial losses on active smugglers,” he said. Adeniyi noted that beyond the parboiled rice seizures, the operations of the unit yielded significant results in September with the interception of various goods. He said the goods include 35,100 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 1,100 liters of diesel and 40-foot container carrying 360 bales of used clothes. Others were one 40-foot container containing 150 cartons of ladies’ handbags, 50 bales of nickers, and other falsely declared items, one 20-foot container of unprocessed wood. “Also included are 106 cartons of foreign frozen poultry, 55 pieces of used fridges, 110 pieces of used compressors, 148 cartons of foreign soap, 121 cartons of expired hair oil and 25 units of vehicles (Tokunbo),” he said. According to him, investigations into some of these seizures are ongoing. He added that 14 suspects had been apprehended in connection with various offences. He said the offences include violating import/export guidelines, concealment, undervaluation, wrong classification, smuggling, and contravening policy directives. Adeniji, however, urged importers and licensed agents to make sincere declarations, adhere to existing import and export guidelines, and avoid the risk of losing their investments. “Compliance is not only a legal obligation but also a strategic choice that ensures the smooth and efficient flow of goods across our borders,” he said

  Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos has convicted and sentenced a businessman, Kolawole Erinle, to twelve years imprisonment for $1.4m fraud. According to a statement by the Acting Head, Media and Publicity of the Economic Crimes and Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, Erinle and his company, Rinde-Remdex Nigeria Limited were first arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on March 11, 2022. Though he pleaded “not guilty”, the trial could not be concluded before the retirement of Justice Taiwo, thereby prompting the re-assignment of the case to Justice Oshodi. He was subsequently re-arraigned on October 28, 2022, before Justice Oshodi on three-count charges bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, and obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of $1,410,000 (One Million Four-Hundred and Ten Thousand United States Dollars). One of the charges read, “Kolawole Adedayo Erinle and Edward Dada (still at large), sometime in 2019, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired to falsely represent yourselves as J.E. Dunn, a local construction company in America, with intent to gain monetary advantage in the sum of $1,410,000 (One Million Four-Hundred and Ten Thousand United States Dollars) by creating a fake domain name jedunn.org and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No 14, 2006.” Another count read, “Kolawole Adedayo Erinle, Rinde-Remdex Nigeria Limited and Edward Dada (still at large) on or about the 3rd day of May 2019, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, retain the control of $1,410,000 (One Million Four-Hundred and Ten Thousand United States Dollars) in your Access Bank account, which sum you knew to be proceeds of various internet and cybercrime.” He, again, pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. In the course of the trial, prosecution counsel, T.J. Banjo called four witnesses, through whom several documentary evidence were presented to prove the case against him and his company. The prosecution also presented evidence to prove that Erinle was an ex-convict in the United States for bank fraud. Justice Oshodi had on February 10, 2023, revoked the bail earlier granted to the defendant following an application by the prosecution showing that he never perfected the bail conditions granted earlier by Justice Taiwo. After the prosecution had closed its case, Erinle took to the dock to defend himself. Led in evidence by his counsel, Lawal Pedro, SAN, he denied the allegations brought against him by the prosecution. Under cross-examination by the prosecution, he admitted that he was indeed an ex-convict in the US and spent 23 months in prison. He also expressed a change of mind to restitute his victim, saying, “I am sorry”. Delivering judgment on September 26, 2023, Justice Oshodi declared the defendant and his company guilty as charged and also held that the prosecution effectively proved the case against them beyond every reasonable doubt. Justice Oshodi held that, as argued by the prosecution, Erinle, “spoofed the email address of the financial controller of J.E. Dunn by faking the domain name of jedunn.com to jedunn.org”, an act which was “premeditated”, so that “when KCUMB was about to pay J.E. Dunn, you provided Bank of America details in the name of E. Dada Autos, and after the wire transfer of $1,412,509.40 into it, in March 2019, you caused the money to be transferred in tranches of $850,000 and $460,000 into the second convict’s account, which you also control”. The trial judge further held that “The evidence shows that you transferred the proceeds of your crime to your nominees, including your mother, and your wife, and also acquired vehicles and other properties captured in exhibit P to P1. “I have considered the prosecution’s submissions that you have a prior conviction for bank fraud in the United States of America. “I have considered the fact that notwithstanding your prison term, which you have confirmed to me as sentencing for 23 months, you have not changed. “I have considered the preceding as aggravating factors. “You also told me that you are sorry, but I do not believe that you are genuinely remorseful, but you have said it.” Thereafter, Justice Oshodi sentenced him to five years on count two, and 12 years on count three. The sentences are to run concurrently from February 10, 2023, when he was remanded by the court. The company, Rinde-Remdex Nigeria Limited, was fined N50 million, and also ordered to be wound up by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with the proceeds forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The convicts were also ordered to make restitution to the victim. The Judge further ordered that all the properties and vehicles recovered from them by the EFCC be sold and applied as restitution to the victim through the FBI. The funds standing to his credit as recovered by the EFCC, and the company, the court added, “shall be applied as restitution for the victim by the FBI; this is without prejudice for the prosecution and the victim to secure a full restitution.” Erinle’s journey to the Correctional Centre started when he was arraigned on three-count charges bordering on defrauding the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, KCUMB, in the United States of about $1,412,509( One Million, Four Hundred and Twelve Thousand Dollars, Five Hundred and Nine cents). The matter went into full trial and he was convicted.

  Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja has sentenced the kidnappers of Prof. Mike Ozekhome and Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha to 20 years imprisonment. Delivering Judgement, Justice Nyako sentenced Kelvin Oniarah and Frank Azuekor after convicting them of kidnapping and terrorism. The Judge, however, discharged Micheal Omonigho, a priest of a shrine, who was arraigned along with the convicts. According to the Judge, some of the 14-count charges for which the convicts were arraigned for, carried life imprisonment but she had to use her discretion to sentence them to 20 years imprisonment which commenced from the date of their arrest. Before the Judge handed down her sentence, she gave the defendants room to plead for leniency. The defendants prayed the court to hand the minimum sentences to them. They pleaded that they have been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for 10 years and have serious health issues. The Trial Judge, Justice Binta Nyako admonished the defendants that being disadvantaged in society is not a ticket to committing crimes, as no one has the right to vent their frustration on other citizens. She adds that even though the nature of their offence demands sentencing to death or life imprisonment, she took into consideration the fact that they have been in the custody of the DSS since 2013.

  Troops of Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA II on Thursday arrested two suspects while conducting a clearance operation in some parts of Imo State to apprehend “terrorists” of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its paramilitary arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). The JTF, in a statement Friday by Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu, said the operation was conducted along Ihioma-Ihittenansa in the Orsu Local Government Area and Okigwe-Umulolo in the Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State. “The clearance operations were aimed at identifying and destroying possible camps of the fleeing IPOB/ESN terrorists killing and maiming as well as extorting innocent citizens of the South-East region in the name of agitation,” it said. In addition to the weapons recovered were five CCTV cameras, two laptops and a charger, eight mobile phones, three boots, camouflage shorts, two motorcycles, and a beret, the statement disclosed. See the full statement below: TROOPS OF OPERATION UDO KA II CONDUCT CLEARANCE OPERATION … recovers locally made rocket propeller launcher Ogbunigwe Troops of Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA II as a follow up to its desire to apprehend the IPOB/ESN terrorists that are on the run from its last clearance operation has on Thursday, 5 October 2023 conducted another clearance operation along Ihioma-Ihittenansa in Orsu Local Government Area and Okigwe-Umulolo in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, respectively. The clearance operations were aimed at identifying and destroying possible camps of the fleeing IPOB/ESN terrorists killing and maiming as well as extorting innocent citizens of the South-East region in the name of agitation. During the simultaneous clearance operations, at Umulolo, one of the troops’ vehicles was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), however, no causality was recorded. Troops also came in contact with the terrorists who fled into the nearby bushes with gunshot wounds due to superior fire power. Two suspects were arrested and items recovered at Umulolo include; two locally made guns, ammunition, one PKT machine gun barrel, one big locally made Rocket Propelled Launcher (Ogbunigwe) and IED making materials. Others include, three CCTV cameras, two Laptops and a charger, eight mobile phones, three boots, camouflage short, two motorcycles and a beret. Furthermore, three shrines used by the terrorists for fortification were destroyed. On the clearance operations/fighting patrols along Road IHIOMA – IHITTENANSA in ORSU LGA. Despite the troops’ encountering of IEDs, troops made contact and engaged some IPOB/ESN terrs around EKETUTU Market who fled into the adjourning forests of Lilu and Mother Valleys with gun shot wounds on motorcycles. Troops also recovered 2 X CCTV cameras carefully concealed at the highest point in the area and some IED making materials. Troops successfully cleared the terrorists from the EKETUTU market. Operation UDO KA II will continue combating ritual killings, cannibalism, kidnapping for ransom and extortion of hardworking and law abiding citizens. These terrorists, mostly the condemned criminals that escaped from Owerri jail breaks are low lives that are being used by a criminal abroad to unleash mayhem on all of us. All Ndigbos should join hands to ensure these terrorists do not determine how we live our lives. Law abiding and good citizens of the South-East region are enjoined to provide timely, credible and reliable Information to end the insecurity in the region (Alaigbo). JONAH UNUAKHALU Lieutenant Colonel for Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA II 6 October 2023 PHOTOS:

  The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, Friday, dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party’s petition against Governor Alex Otti and the Labour Party. In her ruling, the tribunal presided over by Hon. Justice H. T. D Gwadah said that the petitioners, the PDP and others, “failed in their three grounds and their petitions dismissed for lack of merit. The three grounds include non-qualification of Otti to contest the governorship election, non-membership of the LP and provision of authentic National Youth Service Corps certificate and inability to prove corrupt practices. The tribunal is now into the All Progressives Congress’ petition against the LP.