An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Wednesday reserved judgment until Sept. 10 in the case of an American, Marco Antonio-Ramirez, charged with $1.2 million fraud. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Justice Mojisola Dada will also, on Sept. 10, deliver judgment in another charge bordering on $368,698 fraud against the same Antonio-Ramirez. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Antonio-Ramirez on an amended 16-count charge bordering on $1.2 million fraud. People Talk: On sale of new Naira notes at Nigerian parties0:00 / 1:00 EFCC, in one of the counts, alleged that the defendant dishonourably converted to his personal use, an aggregate sum of $545,000 belonging to one Mr Godson Echegile. The anti-graft agency also alleged that the defendant, between July 12, 2012, and Nov. 7, 2012, in Lagos, dishonourably converted to his personal use, an aggregate sum of $314,800 belonging to one Alhaji Abubakar Umar. The commission also submitted that the defendant, between Feb. 19, 2013, and April 18, 2013, in Lagos, dishonourably converted to his personal use, an aggregate sum of $230,000, also property of Umar. In the separate charge, EFCC alleged that the defendant obtained $368,698 fraudulently. The defendant is charged on nine counts in the amended separate charge. In one of the counts, EFCC stated that the defendant, with intent to defraud, obtained $250,000 from one Mr Gabriel Edeoghon under false representation that the sum was his investment in his company. EFCC also allegsd that the defendant, with intent to defraud, obtained $50,281 from one Mr Oludare Talabi under the false representation that the sum was to procure U.S. L1 Visa, a representation he knew to be untrue. Antonio-Ramirez, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, on arraignment. The trial suffered several adjournments occasioned by absence of defence counsel, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN). However, adoption of final written addresses by counsel to both parties has taken place. Following the adoption, the judge adjourned the two cases until Sept. 10 for judgment.

  A group of Nigerian students have been thrown off university courses and ordered to leave the United Kingdom after they struggled to pay tuition fees on time, BBC reports. The Teesside University students have said the devaluation of the naira has made it difficult for them to pay their tuition fees, leading to a breach of visa sponsorship requirements. Teesside University As a result, some students have been blocked from their studies, reported to the Home Office, and ordered to leave the UK. The university claims it has no choice but to take this action, citing strict external regulations. Affected students have expressed their distress and disappointment, feeling that the university is being “heartless” and not providing adequate support. The group of 60 students, who chose to share their names with the BBC, banded together to urge the university to offer support after several of their peers faced severe consequences for defaulting on payments. These students were abruptly locked out of their university accounts and forcibly withdrawn from their courses. Adenike Ibrahim, a student who was close to graduating, had her visa revoked and was told to leave the country, despite having paid 90% of her tuition fees. Adenike Ibrahim “I did default [on payments], but I’d already paid 90% of my tuition fees and I went to all of my classes,” she told BBC. “I called them and asked to reach an agreement, but they do not care what happens to their students. “It has been heartbreaking for my son especially, he has been in so much distress since I told him,” Ibrahim added. Esther Obigwe, another affected student, has been struggling with depression due to the situation. Esther Obigwe She claims she repeatedly tried to speak to the university about her financial struggles but received no response until she was blocked from her studies and received notice to leave the country. Obigwe said, “I attended all of my classes and seminars, I’m a hell of an active student. “It is disheartening, I am now on antidepressants and being here alone, I have nobody to talk to. “For over two months, I’ve barely eaten or slept and I don’t understand why this is being meted at us, we didn’t do anything wrong.” Jude Salubi, a student pursuing a degree in social work, was suddenly informed that his access to the university would be suspended and that he would be required to leave the country, despite being in the middle of a critical placement. Jude Salubri Salubi said he commuted from Teesside to Liverpool every weekend, working 18 hours to try to settle his outstanding fees “As of now I have paid £14,000 and have a balance of £14,000. “I am willing to come to an agreement as to how I will make this payment, but I need guarantees that I will be re-enrolled into school and my visa restored,” he said. A university spokesman said, “Teesside University is proud to be a global institution with a diverse student population but is also very aware of its obligations regarding visa issuance and compliance. “These strict external regulations ensure that the university fully supports a robust immigration system and is outside of the university’s control.” The spokesman acknowledged that the university is aware of the financial struggles faced by some students and has proactively offered customised payment plans to those who have requested them. “This option has been taken up by many of our international students; however, some students have still defaulted on these revised payment plans,” he said. The Home Office clarified that the decision to grant or withdraw visa sponsorship lies with the sponsoring institution In cases where a visa is shortened or cancelled, individuals are advised to either regularise their stay or make arrangements to depart the UK, a spokesman told BBC.

  The Anambra State police command says they’ve arrested one Anichede Akachukwu; a notorious and most wanted Cultist and Armed robber in Uruagu village, Oba, Idemili South Local government area of the state. A terse statement by the spokesperson of the command, Ikenga Tochukwu, said the breakthrough is as a result of the “policing plan and model on practical Intelligence, technology-driven, and tactical operations already placed by the Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Obono Itam.” Ikenga, a Superintendent of Police said the suspect who’s 18 years old was arrested on 17th May, 2024. “The suspect, Anichede Akachukwu ‘M’ 18 years A.K.A Star B is a Confessed leader of Vikings Secret Cult Confraternity and Armed Gang terrorizing Ogbaru LGA and Asaba in Delta State. His arrest is following a tip-off of intelligence gathered as he was receiving treatment in their den from a bullet wound sustained in their encounter with Police Operatives in Asaba. The suspects have provided Police with information on their mode of Operations and names of other gang members which is already aiding the ongoing investigation. “Also, Police on 20/05/2024 in Okija, Ihiala recovered a white Porsche Cayenne Jeep with Reg Nos: AGL 60 HJ Lagos suspected to Operational vehicle of the successions operating in Ihiala. During a search of the vehicle, the operatives found a bag and discovered Twenty-Seven pieces of live 7.62m Ammunition, Three live cartridges, one-touch light, charms, and other incriminating items “To this end, the CP has charged the Operatives to sustain the tempo and direct continuous onslaught Operations aimed to weed out all the criminal elements and reduce crime to the barest minimum in the State.”

  An unidentified septuagenarian has slumped and died inside an Ondo State High Court session in Oka, Ondo. The incident occurred before the court proceedings had begun. Witnesses reported that the deceased was present to testify as a witness in a case involving his friend. A court staff, speaking anonymously, said that the septuagenarian collapsed suddenly without any apparent interaction or collision with anyone or anything. He said: “The man was in court with his friend and suddenly, he stood up where he was seated and fell down, hitting his head on the tiles and he passed He didn’t look like someone who was sick and he did not collide with anything or anybody that we may say is the cause of his death.” Another witness, Tunde Ariyo, said policemen from the Enu-Owa police division were called in to take the deceased to the mortuary. Police sources at the Enu-Owa Police Division confirmed the incident and said the case has been transferred to the homicide section of the police headquarters in Akure.

  Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised African nations to re-examine the democracy inherited from the West. Obasanjo said Africa must build a model of democracy that is true to the African heritage and that caters for the welfare of the people. He said this at a Summit on the State of Democracy in Africa held at the Yar’adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday. The former Nigerian President, who was a keynote speaker at the summit, advocated for a democracy that works for all. He also charged African leaders to show an unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people. Obasanjo said for democracy to be effective in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, it must be built on the principles of good leadership, strong institutions and rule of law. He defined Democracy as a Government by the people’s consent, with clean mandate of the people, without corruption and for the welfare of the masses The Summit is convened by Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and Shehu Musa Yar’adua Foundation with sponsorship from Ford Foundation and Trust Africa.   The summit focused on the gains and challenges as well as threats to democracy in Africa.

  Dr Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director/CEO of National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), says the Federal Government has approved the prohibition of money rituals and glamourising of vices in Nigerian films. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Husseini disclosed this at a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu on Wednesday. The event was organised by the NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA). Movie producers, directors and actors drawn from different parts of the country, as well as leaders of various guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry were present at the event. Husseini said that today, we are facing an industry emergency requiring bold and ambitious actions from all parents, guardians and stakeholders. When my predecessor approached the former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed on the need to make a subsidiary legislation to curtail the display of smoking in Nigerian movies, he saw the need to include money rituals. “Others included in the regulation are ritual killings and glamourising other crimes in order to further sanitise the film industry. ADVERTISEMENT Amazing Cool Gadgets “Today, I am delighted to announce to you that the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, pursuant to section 65 of the NFVCB Act 2004 has approved the regulation. “The minister has approved the Prohibition of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Nicotine Product Promotion and Glamorisation display in Movies, Musical Videos and Skits” Regulations 2024.” “We have also forwarded the approved copy to the Federal Ministry of Justice for Gazette,” he said. Husseini said the sensitisation programme was to educate stakeholders on the danger inherent in consummation of smoking in Nigerian movies. According to him, besides the health implications, glamourising smoking in films poses a negative influence on teens and young adults who constitute the largest segment of Nigeria movie viewers. He said that the board was set to undertake detailed enlightenment programmes in secondary schools, tertiary institutions, local communities, faith groups and other institutions. As you all know, the film industry occupies a central position in the entertainment and creative sector, and it is imperative that we continue to place the highest premium on the progress of the film industry. “The NFVCB supports smoke-free movies and supports smoke-free Nollywood, and we therefore seek your collaboration to develop creative content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages. “After series of engagements, the NFVCB in collaboration with the CAPPA decided to do a ‘subsidiary regulations’ to cater for smoking in movies since this aspect was not expressly spelt out in the extant Law. “The NFVCB is well prepared to take leadership in this regard and has planned and began implementing innovative ways to achieve its mandate,” he said NAN reports that it is the duty of the Board to register all films and videos outlets across the country, and to keep a register of such registered outlets among other functions. (NAN)