Alleged N80.2BN Fraud:  

EFCC Demands Contempt Charges Against Yahaya Bello's Lawyers

. For Not Producing Ex-governor In Court

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has raised contempt charges against two defence counsel in the N80.2billion alleged money laundering charges against a former governor of Kogi State,  Mr. Yahaya Bello.

 Bello is facing prosecution alongside his nephew, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19-count charges  bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,089.88k( Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Eighty-Nine Naira and Eighty- eight kobo).

 

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Thursday, June 27, 2024,   EFCC’s lead counsel,  Kemi Pinhero, (SAN),  prayed the court to exercise disciplinary actions against  Abdulwahab Mohammed (SAN) and  Adeola Adedipe, (SAN) for reneging on their undertaking to produce  the former governor for arraignment.    

“My application is to invite them and show cause why my Lordship will not deal with them for professional misconduct.  My Lord,   since Adedipe is here, my Lord should deal with him to remove him from the inner bar and deal with him summarily in the dock.   It is a serious responsibility.

Our rules of professional conduct 2023, rule 32 sub 33 states that, ‘ a lawyer who fails to comply with any undertaking by him either personally or to his client, aside from being in contempt of court, is  prima facie guilty of professional misconduct”,  he said.  He prayed the court to hold the two counsel for contempt to serve as a lesson to other lawyers

 

Mohammed and Adedipe had at different times taken an undertaking to produce the suspect in court without any success.

At Thursday’s proceedings, Adedipe informed the court of a letter allegedly written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court requesting the matter to be transferred to the Lokoja Judicial Division, stressing  that there was need for the matter to have a territorial jurisdiction.  

“My Lord,  a letter has been written on behalf of the defendant to the Honourable Chief judge of the Federal High Court requesting in substance that this matter be administratively transferred to the Federal High Court Lokoja  judicial division, because there is need to have territorial jurisdiction, and the letter was received by the Chief Judge office”,  he said.

However,  Pinhero insisted that the matter of the day was for the defence to tell the court why their client refused to appear in court, after making an undertaking at different instances to produce him.

“My Lord has ordered Abiola Adedipe SAN and Abdulwahab Mohammed SAN the opportunity to produce the defendant for arraignment today, but he has chosen to avoid responding to that. That undertaking was made by him on the 13th of June, the letter to the Chief Judge was dated and delivered on the 10th, and delivered 13th of June, 2024, so the letter pre-dated the undertaking” he said.

Pinhero submitted that the letter  to the Chief Judge was already in court, and was aware of the letter before making an undertaking. “ My Lord,  the letter to the Chief Judge does not discharge the undertaking made in this judicial proceeding, nor does the Chief Judge discharge the proceedings. That letter does not discharge the undertaking”, he said. He stressed that Justice Emeka Nwite still retained the power of the proceedings and no contrary claim should be entertained by him. He prayed the court to exercise disciplinary actions against Mohammed and Adedipe for reneging on their undertaking to produce the former governor for arraignment.  

In his further reaction,  Adedipe applied to withdraw his legal services to the defendant, but Pinheiro insisted that he cannot withdraw his services after he joined issues with the prosecution. He further argued that Adedipe should have done that from the beginning but refused.

“My Lord,  we have gone to a point where they can't withdraw. The undertaking is on record, and I also undertook that because of their undertaking that day, we withdrew our undertaking of arrest to the suspect. My Lord should hold them to that, it is an issue of contempt, and if they are withdrawing their services, let them come before my Lord and do so” he said.

Justice Nwite, after listening to the submissions of all the counsels,  adjourned the matter to July 17,  2024 for ruling on the contempt charges  and arraignment of the former governor.

 'You Can't Query Me'

Chief Imam, Ayilara Blasts Soun of Ogbomosho

The Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Sheik Teliat Yinus Ayilara, has strongly joined issues with the traditional ruler of Ogbomosho, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye over  the latter's decision to query him on his recent trip to Mecca and installation of some prominent Muslims in the ancient town.

In a strong-worded response to the query, the Chief Imam has rejected the monarch’s authority to query him, arguing that the position of Chief Imam is not a traditional title that falls under the authority of the traditional ruler.

Ayilara stated this in a letter addressed to the Soun in response to the query issued to the Chief Imam by the traditional ruler.

It was earlier reported that the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, issued a query to the Chief Imam for embarking on a journey to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj exercise without informing him.

But, the Chief Imam, in his swift reaction, noted that he responded to the letters issued by the traditional ruler out of deep respect he has for Yoruba culture and tradition.

Ayilara, in the letter signed by his secretary, Ogunleye Sulaimon Ajasa, insisted that as a Muslim and spiritual head of the Muslim community in Ogbomoso, he is not subjugating the rules regulating the practice of Islam to Yoruba tradition and culture.

In the letter made available to newsmen on Thursday, Ayilara said, “My case is that the office of Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland is not a traditional title, and as such, it is not under the control of Soun of Ogbomoso land.”

“My case against your majesty is still in court. And I strongly believe that when a matter is in court, the parties in the case must respect the authority of the court by abstaining from anything that may affect the case in court.”

“Your majesty calling on me to revert the appointment of those Muslim brethren I installed as Grand Mufti of Ogbomoso land, Amirul Wa’izin of Ogbomoso land, Khadimul-Islam of Ogbomoso land and Kanzul ‘Ulama’ of Ogbomoso land, to immediately return to Nigeria and rectify the appointment of acting Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land I made is directly related to the case in court and I think the court must be respected.”

“I also need to state that I am responding to your Majesty’s letters out of deep respect I have for Yoruba culture and tradition.”

“However, as a Muslim and spiritual head of the Muslim community in Ogbomoso land, I am not subjugating the rules regulating the practice of Islam to Yoruba tradition and culture.

“It is a collective right of all Muslims. Kabiesi, I have forwarded the letters to my lawyers for onward transmission to the court. God bless Ogbomoso land, God bless Oyo State and God bless Nigeria at large," the Chief Imam concluded.

 Most Expensive Cow In The World Is Protected By Armed Bodyguard

Viatina-19 belongs to the Nelore beef cows and is the embodiment of Brazilian ambitions.

Due to its estimated value of $4.3 million, Viatina-19 is constantly monitored by cameras and protected by an armed guard. Many Brazilians visit her barn on a farm near the city of Uberaba in the eastern state of Minas Gerais to see the unusual animal.

According to the Associated Press, the price of the cow is three times greater than the value of the last most expensive cow in the world sold. This is due to the fact that Viatina-19 gained a lot of muscle tissue very quickly, is very fertile and passed on its characteristics to its offspring.

“She’s the closest to perfection,” said Lorrany Martins, the veterinarian caring for the cow. “She is a complete cow, she has all the characteristics that all breeders are looking for,” she added.

THIEVING NEPHEWS!

 THIEVING NEPHEWS!

Two Brothers Steal Billions In Assets From Oil Magnate, Arthur Eze

. As Appeal Court Returns Stolen Assets To Billionaire

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered billions of naira worth of assets from two brothers, Olisaebuka Eze and Onyeka Nnadozie Eze, following a court order.

The assets, including 20 properties, 10 vehicles, and three luxury wristwatches, were forfeited to the federal government, according to an EFCC statement .

The brothers were accused of stealing billions of naira and millions of dollars from a petitioner, Arthur Eze, through fraudulent means.

The EFCC‘s investigation revealed that the brothers used the stolen funds to acquire the properties and assets, which have now been recovered.

In a final forfeiture ruling by a three-man panel of justices, the Appeal Court in Abuja dismissed the appeal filed by the brothers and affirmed the final forfeiture of the properties, vehicles, and other items to Arthur Eze, the nominal petitioner, as presented by the Commission’s counsel, Ibrahim Buba.

The properties, all located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, were held by the court to have been acquired with proceeds of crimes committed against Arthur Eze.

The properties and items, which Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi of the FCT High Court, sitting in Gudu, Abuja, had in April 2022 ordered their final forfeiture to the petitioner, include:

– A seven-bedroom duplex at Plot 1772 Cadastral Zone B06, Mabushi District, FCT, Abuja, located at No: 5 Ifeanyi Araraume Street, Mabushi, Abuja;

– Plot No. 621, Cadastral Zone B07 within Katampe District with file No. JG 10188;

- Nine units of two-bedroom flats located at Plot 375 off Ameyo Adadovah Way, Kado District, Abuja.

 - Three bedroom terrace duplex located at Brookhouse Residence Karsana District FCT, Abuja; - - Plot No. AHE540 in Lugbe AMAC Housing Estate measuring 1,500sqm;

- Plot No. 285, measuring 1,589.28sqm in Cadastral Zone E23 Kyami District Abuja; 

- Plot No. R9530AA, measuring 1,000sqm, located at Traders Layout 3 Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja; 

 - Plot No. R9530AA, measuring 1,000sqm, located at Traders Layout 3 Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja.

Other properties are:

- Plot No. XK1057, measuring 800sqm, located in Apo Layout, AMAC FCT, Abuja; 

- Plot of land with RofO with file No. AN 69550 dated 28/10/2012 at Kyami District Abuja;

- Plot No. 0844 in NAF Valley Estate, Asokoro Abuja, measuring about 1316.79; 

- Plot No. 188 Cadastral Zone E 12 of Orozo, measuring 875sqm

The items include: 

- A red Oulm wristwatch, stainless steel back Japan Move 3377; 

- A golden-coloured Just Bling wristwatch JB-6116; 

- A golden Piaget wrist watch with serial no. 8066-639333.

 The vehicles are: 

- A Toyota Camry 2014 2016 model; Toyota Camry 2014 model; a Toyota Highlander; 

- A Honda Accord 2013 model; 

- Mercedes Benz GLE 2015 model; 

- Toyota Tundra with chassis No. STFRYF17EX171601 and a car spare key; 

- Toyota Avalon with registration No. RSH111; 

- Honda Civic with registration No. YAB58EN; 

- Mercedes Benz C 400 with Reg. No. KWL43A5 

- A Kia SUV.

Dissatisfied with the High Court order, the brothers approached the appellate court in separate appeals, praying that the order be set aside.

However, in the Appeal Court judgment read by Justice H.A. Barka, the appellate court held that the duo did not satisfactorily prove that they legitimately acquired the properties and all the items involved.

According to Justice Barka, the appellants did not place any material before the court to enable it to disturb the findings of the lower court.

The court further held that the appeal lacked merit and dismissed it accordingly.

The road to the final forfeiture began in 2020 when the EFCC received a petition from Arthur Eze, alleging theft, criminal misappropriation, and money laundering against the first respondent, Olisaebuka Eze, who was the administrative officer of his company, Oranto Petroleum Ltd.

According to Arthur Eze, Olisaebuka Eze, in connivance with his brother Nnadozie Eze, stole money that ran into billions of naira and millions of dollars, which they used to acquire properties in Abuja and Enugu.

Upon conclusion of investigations, the Commission arrested Olisaebuka Eze and his brother, Nnadozie Eze, and froze their bank accounts following court orders.

In an attempt to challenge the actions taken against them, the respondents filed a suit at the FCT High Court, Apo, before Justice S.B. Belgore, seeking the enforcement of their fundamental rights.

At the end of the hearing, Justice Belgore held that the Commission had violated the fundamental rights of the respondents and awarded N10 million in damages in their favor. 

The Commission, through its counsel, Buba, challenged the ruling in the Court of Appeal, which overturned the decision of the lower court and held that the detention of the respondents by the Commission and the freezing of their accounts were for the purpose of investigation and were properly backed by court orders.

The appellate court further awarded N500,000 against the respondents in favor of the EFCC.

 

Chioma, Davido's Lavish Wedding In Photos

. As Dignitaries Grace Occasion

Ex-President, Olusegun Obasanjo; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, were among the key dignitaries, who attended the wedding of Afrobeat star, David Adeleke, popularly called Davido, to his fiancée, Chioma Rowland.

Also among the guests were the Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, and the immediate-past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel.

The Afrobeat singer set social media agog at the weekend after he shared pre-wedding photos with Chioma on social media, with the hashtag #CHIVIDO2024.

He didn’t stop at that, the ‘OBO’ crooner also surprised Chioma with a bridal shower party on Sunday night.

The chef, in one of the clips of the videos that surfaced online, was captured narrating how her fiancé planned the party without her knowledge.

She explained that Davido lured her out of the house by telling her that they were going for a dinner date but it turned out to be her bridal shower.

Hard Drugs Found In Snake-guarded Shrine

. As NDLEA Intercepts 8.2 kg Methamphetamine Concealed In Imported Chocolate Packs

A snake guarded shrine used to store illicit drugs in Igor community, Benin City, Edo State, has been raided by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA).

 

The agency's operatives detected a specially constructed large hole storage in a wall covered with wallpapers and fetish objects.Different quantities of illicit substances such as methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743 kilograms, were pulled out from the deep hole dug in the wall of the shrine building.

At least, two ladies: Sonia Chinonso Ezumezu and Risikatu Tijani were arrested during the intelligence-led operation on Tuesday 18th June 2024 after the big black snake guarding the shrine was demobilized. 

In the same vein, two suspects: Obi Ferguson (45), and Ernest Abanum, (46) were arrested on Saturday 22nd June when NDLEA operatives raided the Usen Forest in Ovia South West LGA, Edo State where 209kg cannabis and a motorcycle were recovered.

Meanwhile, NDLEA officers in Lagos have also intercepted a carefully packaged consignment of 8.2 kilograms of methamphetamine at a motor park in Mazamaza, Ojo area of the state. The highly addictive illicit substance, also called ice or crystal meth was packed in imported Dunkin’ turtle love chocolate wraps and then concealed in the casing of three loud speakers.

A 39-year-old suspect, Michael Odiomume who was sending the consignment to Owerri, Imo state was promptly arrested on Wednesday 19th June at the park.

In Abuja, operatives on Tuesday 18th June intercepted a white Nissan Frontier pick-up vehicle with amber lights and fake registration number of a security agency at Kiyi village in Kuje area of the FCT.

 

The vehicle was loaded with 454 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa, weighing 340.8kg procured at Uzeba, Edo state. A 76-year-old grandfather, Mr. Francis Omofa, linked to the consignment was arrested. He claimed to have been in the illicit drug business for 10 years. 

With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, (WADA) sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students and teachers of St. Peters College, Nibo, Anambra; students and staff of Apostolic Grammar School, Ilesa, Osun state; students and teachers of Immanuel Baptist High School, Oyo town, Oyo state; students and staff of Federal Government Science and Technical College, Otukpa, Benue state, as well as WADA advocacy lecture for Muslim faithful during their Juma’at prayer in Umuahia, Abia state and a WADA advocacy visit to the First Lady of Enugu state, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah by the state Command of NDLEA.

 NABBED!

 Fake Aso Rock Officials  Dupe Job Seekers of N22.3 million

The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have smashed a syndicate of fake State House staff in Abuja for alleged criminal conspiracy, false representation and employment scam.

The suspects were arrested separately following investigation on petitions by various victims who were promised jobs as “Directors General” at the Ministry of Communication, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other ministries.

The suspects are Augustine Enamegbai Umogboi, who claimed to be a former staff of the State House, Eleojo Josephine Idakwo, a fake staff of the Ministry of Information in the Registry Unit, and Kingsley Onuh who also claimed that he just concluded his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Others are Omata Sunday and Eljayon Nigeria Limited, one of the companies which bank account they were using to get money from their victims. Besides, they had different account numbers of different banks through which they were receiving the money amounting to N22,350,000:00k (Twenty Two million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) from different victims.

Umogboi was arrested on June 16, 2024, Idakwo was arrested on April 30, 2024, while Onuh was arrested on April 3, 2024.

Many victims narrated their bitter experience in a series of petitions written to the EFCC.

A sample of such a petition reads: “We were reliably informed that sometime around April 2023, Mr. Gabriel Kingsley Onuh notified our clients about job opportunities in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation LTD (NNPCL) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). With support of Eleojo Josephine Idakwo who claimed to work in NNPCL, they undertook to assist Mr. Toheeb Adesina and Miss Asabe Gambo to secure employment in NNPCL, as well as Mr. Tertindi Reginald Igbayue in FRSC, subject to the payment of a fee. It was agreed that the payment would be in two tranches – initials part payment and the balance payment when the employment letter is ready and when documentation of credentials commences”.

Another victim in a petition written to the EFCC stated that, “Sometime in May 2023, one of my friends, Sunday Omata, approached me that one Eleojo Josephine Idakwu told him that their office in the Presidential Villa is responsible for screening applicants for the appointment of ‘Directors General’ for all Ministries and Parastatals in the current government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As such they want me to apply for the position of Director General in the Ministry of Communication. She, however, gave me a condition that I must pay them N5 million before they can start the process. Since it involves a big office, they cannot do all the contacts for free and their boss in the office requires some money too. Since then, they have been requesting all sorts of money from me with various accounts”.

The suspects have given useful information to the EFCC and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.

 Sophia Momodu Hits Back At Davido

Says: 'He Stopped Paying Imade's Fees Because I Stopped Sleeping With Him'

Davido's Baby mama, Sophia Momodu, has finally reacted to his court case against her. 

Recently, the DMW boss sued his babymama over the custody of their daughter, Imade Aurora Adeleke. With only a few days to Davido’s wedding with Chioma, Sophia released a press statement in which she spilled very messy details while stating her side of the story. 

Giving a background to her relationship with Davido, Sophia claimed they were together from 2014 to 2017 and then from 2020 to 2022. 

According to her, during the time they were an item, the singer provided financial support for her and Imade. 

Sophia went on to say that in July 2022, she ended her relationship with Davido, and since that time, he threatened to make her life miserable if she did not sleep with him.

 She went on to claim that out of his own accord, Davido failed to see their daughter, Imade, because she never denied him the opportunity. 

According to Sophia, Davido also never reached out to Imade during special occasions like her birthday or Christmas, but he always made posts online to portray himself as a supportive father.

Davido has financially neglected Imade In Sophia’s press statement, she also detailed how Davido had not fulfilled his financial responsibilities to Imade, including not paying her school fees despite the school reaching out to him on different occasions. 

It was revealed that at a point, the singer’s billionaire father, Adedeji Adeleke, had to step in and pay the fees. 

 EFCC ARRAIGNS WOMAN FOR ALLEGED N39.8 MILLION FRAUD 

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Nwodo Martha, a former Principal Manager at Fidelity Structures Limited before Justice H. U. Ezugwu of the  Enugu State High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State.

Martha was arraigned on  nine-count charges bordering on stealing by fraudulent conversion to the tune of Thirty-ninel Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-seven Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira (N39, 847, 800. 00).

Martha was arrested based on a petition from Fidelity Structures, one of the major distributors of  Nigerian Breweries, alleging that,  as one of its Principal Managers, she turned herself into a Sole Administrator, thereby blocking the Directors of the company from having information about  the operations of the company as she allegedly released products to faceless sub distributors and fraudulently collected  payments made for the products.

The petitioner also alleged that the defendant, who constantly approved for herself, salary advance, sold off two of the company’s delivery vans (Ford and Mercedes 813 truck ), which she claimed were missing but was later discovered to have been sold at her behest.

The respondent was accused of stealing by fraudulently converting to her personal use the aggregate sum of Five Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira (N5, 840, 000. 00) being payment for purchase of Brewery products.

She was also accused of stealing by fraudulently converting the aggregate sum of Nineteen Million, Five Hundred and Twenty Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N19, 520, 500. 00) being payment for purchase of Brewery products.

The offence is contrary to Section 342 of the Criminal Code Law, Revised Edition, Cap 30, Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 353 (1) of the same Law.

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to her. In view of her plea, counsel to the EFCC, Ahmad Yusuf Abdullahi prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at Enugu State Correctional facility.

However, defence counsel, Chukwuemeka Okpoto Onah informed the court about the pending bail application before it and thereafter moved the said application. He prayed the court to grant bail to his client on liberal terms.

Responding, Abdullahi vehemently opposed the said bail application on the ground that “the defendant is  not likely to attend her trial my Lord because of the gravity of the alleged offence”.

After listening to both sides, the court granted the defendant bail in the sum of Ten Million Naira (N10, 000, 000. 00) with a surety in like sum who must be a level 13 civil servant  and the court registrar should verify the address of the said surety.

The court thereafter adjourned the matter to July 24, 2024 for trial while the defendant was remanded at Enugu State Correctional facility pending the  perfection of the bail conditions.

 N4.7billion Cocaine, Meth Seized From Siblings, As NDLEA Uncover Skuchies Factory In Ogun

A cartel controlled by a drug baron, Kelechi Monday Nwaobasi and his 50-year-old elder sister, Ms. Chinwe Rose Nwaobasi, has been taken down by officers of the Special Operation Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, following the arrest of the siblings and seizure of cocaine and methamphetamine consignments worth over N4.1billion in street value from their hideout in Aba, Abia state.

The special operation conducted on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th June, 2024 at 3B,  Boundary Avenue, Aba and a residence along Ohia road, Ohia, Abia State followed months of intelligence gathering, leading to the arrest of the ring leaders and the combined seizure of 20.76 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine from them.

In a related development, NDLEA operatives in Lagos state have uncovered an expansive warehouse stocked with a large consignment of codeine-based syrup, located at Comfort Oboh area of Kirikiri, where four persons connected with the importation and distribution of the opioid were arrested during an intelligence-led raid on the facility.

Those arrested include: Kingsley Amanambu Obumneke, 38; Emeka Emmanuel, 48; Bornaventure Ugochukwu, 59; and Martin Dike, 56, while a total of 82,000 bottles of the opioid worth more than N600million in street value, Toyota Tacuma truck and two buses used for distributing the substance were recovered from the premises on Monday 10th June 2024 when NDLEA officers conducted the operation. 

Two days after, Wednesday 12th June, operatives intercepted another suspect, Ibrahim Abdulhamid with 29,100 pills of tramadol and other opioids as well as 3.9 litres of codeine syrup at Alaba Suru, Ojo local council area of the state.

A total of 230,600 pills of tramadol 225mg and 200mg were recovered from the duo of Yasir Rabi’u, 23, and Abubakar Ado, 30, who are major distributors of illicit drugs in Kano and Jigawa states, when they were arrested on Monday 10th June at Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano.

 In the same vein, another suspect, Hassan Abdullahi Ali, 25, was nabbed with 150 bottles of codeine syrup at Kofar Nassarawa area of Kano on Tuesday 11th June.

In Ogun state, NDLEA operatives on Monday 10th June seized 390kg of cannabis and arrested the trio of Muhammad Sani, Nura Mohammad and Samaila Rabe during an early morning raid at Ibese area of the state.

While officers bursted a skuchies making factory at Sabo area of Shagamu town where seven suspects were arrested. They include: Kareem Jamiu; Oriyimi Ayo; Bamidele Wasiu; Rasheed Olarewanju; Ramota Lawal; Amudalat Olarewanju; and Adeniyi Omotosho. Exhibits recovered from them include: 387 litres of skuchies; 70 litres of industrial codeine; 25kg cannabis and different quantities of tramadol, rophynol, diazepam, as well as various equipment used in the production of the new psychoactive substance.

Not less than 10, 534.78 kilograms of cannabis were destroyed on 4.213912 hectares of farmland on Wednesday 12th June when NDLEA officers raided Uhen forest in Ovia North East council area of Edo state where four suspects: Frank Ishoku, 38; Clifford Ossai, 49; Vanger Timothy, 30; and John Peter Oluwaseyi, 30, were nabbed and 16kg processed cannabis was recovered for the purpose of prosecution.

In a similar development, 18,425kg of the same psychoactive substance on 7.37 hectares of farmland was destroyed by NDLEA operatives supported by personnel of other security agencies in the thick forest of Ise Ekiti, Ekiti state on Friday 14th June.

In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, two suspects: Muhammad Abba, 33, and Samson Ehizogie, 42, were arrested with 3,550 bottles of "Akuskura", a new mixture of psychotropic substances, by operatives during a raid on Friday 14th June at Garki Area 10 and Dutse Suokale, both within the FCT.

While Emmanuel Ogechi, 24,  was nabbed with 11,200 pills of tramadol on Wednesday 12th June along Otukpo-Enugu road, by NDLEA operatives in Benue state, Anayo Onwe, 40, was arrested with 62.4kg cannabis sativa at Nteje just as 1kg of methamphetamine belonging to a fleeing suspect, in Oraifite, both in Anambra state was seized. In Kwara state, Muhammed Musa, 24, was  arrested with 33kg cannabis at Bode-Saadu, Jebba, while Shokuro Adeola, 59, was nabbed with 11.5kg of same substance along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Oyo state.

 

OUTLANDISH!

 

'She's Frustrating Me'

Davido Cries Out Over Baby Mama's Outlandish Demands

. Sues Her For Daughter's Joint Custody

Afro-beat crooner and international award-winning singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has cried out over the antics of one of his baby mamas who is allegedly frustrating him from having joint custody of his daughter.

The baby mama, Sophia Momodu, is the mother of Davido's first daughter, Imade who was born May 15th 2015.

In an originating motion filed by his lawyers, Dr Olaniyi Arije, Okey Barrah and others, at the Lagos State High Court, dated April 17, 2024, Davido is praying the court for “an order granting joint custody of Miss Imade Adeleke to the applicant.”

In the alternative, Davido prayed to the court for “an order granting him unfettered and unrestricted access to Miss Imade.”

In 44-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Davido himself, the musician narrated Sophia's antics which were ostensibly designed to frustrate him from ensuring his daughter has a good life and better education.

He said though he had a relationship with Momodu that led to the birth of their child, the relationship had ended some years ago “while we resolved to take care of our child as biological father and mother.”

Davido said, “It is on record that I have been responsible for the payment of all the school fees of my daughter to provide her with the best education possible and to meet all her educational needs without a hitch.

“I have also been providing money for the rent of the apartment where the respondent resides with our daughter.”

The musician added that as a result of the love he had for Imade, he purchased and offered the mother a N200m worth apartment in a conducive gated community with a swimming pool and 24-hour power and water supply at Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos. An offer he claimed was turned down.

He said, “The respondent rejected the offer to stay and live at the above-described secured Oniru apartment, which had been purchased already, but demanded that I continue to pay N5,000,000 annually for a rented facility as my own contribution towards my daughter’s accommodation.”

Davido revealed that in order to ensure that the interest of Imade was well-catered for, “I bought a Range Rover Sport Utility Vehicle for the use of the child and the respondent to meet the transport needs, including transportation of the child to and from school, etc.”

He, however, added that sometime last year, he received a call from her daughter’s school that Imade had been absent for two weeks, and upon his inquiry from Momodu, “She began to make excuses and complained that the Range Rover SUV was not in a good condition, even as she refused to inform me about that.”

He added, “That sequel to the information about the said condition of the vehicle, I provided another vehicle, Highlander SUV, and in addition, the sum of N5.8m as requested by her for the repair of the Range Rover SUV, making it two vehicles in the custody and use of the respondent and our daughter.”

According to Davido, to further ensure that the interest of their child was adequately taken care of, “I also made commitments to pay for living expenses, the fees of the nanny to our child, provide medical and health care, insurance, periodic international travel expenses and tickets.”

“That notwithstanding my efforts in the overall interest of my daughter, the respondent has continued to make outlandish and Utopian demands to frustrate me,” the singer added.

Listing the other demands allegedly made by Momodu, he said, “The respondent, among others, is demanding that I should pay the nanny she hired the sum of $800 per month, and that the total sum of $19,600 per annum be paid as a lump sum.”

Davido claimed that despite his contribution towards ensuring a better life for their daughter, “the respondent has continued to show me unwarranted cruelty, inflicting so much pain on him."

Sophia and Davido have always been at loggerheads.

In 2015, Davido reportedly declared, Sophia Momodu can never be his wife, despite having a child for him.

This was after Sophia had alleged the musician of luring her into bringing the child home where the baby was forcefully taken away from her.

Reports then said Davido and his sister, Ashely, were reportedly stopped from travelling to Dubai with the child by immigration officials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in response to a petition by Sophia that the child had been abducted.

Also, Sophia’s lawyers had in a petition to the Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) alleged that the baby had been forcibly taken from her.

The said petition also claimed that repeated efforts by Sophia to get her baby back since then were unsuccessful, leaving her to turn to friends and her uncle, Dele Momodu, for help.

ON-THE-RUN!

First Bank Manager Bolts Away With N40billion Customers' Reversal Fund

A manager at First Bank Nigeria PLC is now on the run after diverting N40billion at the bank's head office in Lagos.

The manager identified as Tijani Muiz Adeyinka heads the electronic product team of the bank. He is responsible for handling transfer reversals. The final decision on reversals laid with him alone, instead of a team. 

According to findings, instead of ensuring reversals were done properly, he started diverting funds to a Zenith account owned by his wife. 

Over two years, he managed to steal N40 billion, which he later scattered to 1,190 accounts while he also used some to buy crypto currency. 

As at the time of filling this report, Adeyinka and his wife have vanished into the thin air.

The scam was, however, revealed when a customer insisted on resolving non-reversal of funds in his account.

The manger allegedly diverted those funds to 98 bank accounts classified as first beneficiaries, including his wife’s.

First Bank ank with a market capitalization of ₦829 billion, reported the incident to the Nigerian Police on March 25, 2024, and obtained multiple court orders to freeze accounts connected to the stolen funds.

Tijani Muiz Adeyinka, the manager behind the scandal, held a managerial position in the electronic products team at First Bank’s headquarters in Iganmu, Lagos. 

Adeyinka who is now a fugitive, allegedly diverted approximately ₦40 billion (around $29 million) over two years.

He purportedly exploited his role to misappropriate funds by directing customer reversal requests to a merchant account under his control. 

His ability to finalize transactions without additional approvals allowed the scheme to go unnoticed.

The fraud came to light following a customer complaint, prompting an internal review by the bank’s control unit, which uncovered numerous suspicious transactions. 

In response, First Bank alerted the police and pursued legal measures to mitigate the financial loss.

First Bank took proactive steps by obtaining three court orders between April 4 and April 8, 2024, to freeze hundreds of accounts suspected of receiving the diverted funds. 

Among the affected accounts were 98 classified as first beneficiaries, including one belonging to Adeyinka’s wife, as well as numerous second-tier accounts.

Court documents revealed that Adeyinka routed funds to his wife’s account at Zenith Bank, which then dispersed the money across 34 additional accounts. These accounts subsequently channeled the funds to 1,190 other accounts, creating a complex network of transactions to obscure the origin of the stolen funds.

In a statement to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police dated May 10, 2024, the bank affirmed its collaboration with law enforcement agencies to uncover the circumstances surrounding the fraud and apprehend all individuals involved.

“We hereby bring to your notice the discovery of fraudulent transactions into various transactions within and outside the bank and request your good offices to set up the machinery of investigation in place with a view to unravel the circumstances surrounding the said fraud and get the culprits apprehending to face the wrath of the law,” read a letter dated May 10, 2024, from First Bank to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.

 Fasehuns Protest Tinubu's Omission Of OPC Founder In List Of June 12 Heroes 

The Estate of Dr Frederick Fasehun has protested the omission by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the OPC Founder in the list of June 12 heroes contained in the presidential Democracy Day address.

In a statement on Wednesday in Lagos by the Late OPC Founder's son, Mr. Remi Fasehun, the family described the omission of the foremost Democracy Activist in the President's list as uncharitable, ungrateful and unpardonable.

"The President was a di beneficiary of our father's activism and sacrifice for democracy," the younger Fasehun said on behalf of the Estate. "Not only were they in the trenches together, Fasehun helped Tinubu to escape into exile. In fact, it is on record that, when General Sani Abacha's squad surrounded Senator Abraham Adesanya residence where they held a meeting, Tinubu mounted the back of Fasehun and jumped the fence to flee into hiding and subsequently into exile.

"Several people, who escaped from the country into exile and joined NADECO-Abroad, including Pa Anthony Enahoro, were personally taken by boat and bush paths, through the NADECO Route, by Dr. Fasehun. He was at a point the link between Pa Enahoro-NADECO and NUPENG, the union that played a pivotal role in that struggle.

"He was thrown into prison several times by the General Sani Abacha junta, in Kirikiri, Ilorin and Kuje. At the infamous Inter Centre in Ikoyi Cemetery, he was held incommunicado for several months, an experience that inflicted immense damage on him physically and psychologically, to the extent of leaving his vision impaired for life.

"His family and businesses paid dearly for his struggle for democracy. Today, his wife and children still pay the price of their father's sacrifice to birth the democracy Nigeria has today."

They said Fasehun's hospitality business, Century Hotel, as well as his Besthope Hospital in Lagos, were today a shadow of the flourishing enterprises they used to be before he threw himself into the struggle for June 12.

University of Aberdeen-trained Medical Doctor and Africa's first Acupuncturist, Dr. Fasehun died December 1, 2018 in Lagos at the age of 83.

Furthermore, according to the statement, Fasehun specifically founded the socio-cultural group, Oodua People's Congress (OPC), in 1994, as a vehicle for wresting democracy from the sit-tight military junta.

"To ignore such an inimitable icon as Dr. Frederick Isiotan Fasehun from any so-called list of June 12 and Democratic Heroes smacks of crass injustice and inexplicable vendetta," his Estate declared.

It recalled that in the struggle for June 12, hundreds of OPC members paid the supreme price, through extra-judicial killings by overzealous and ill-advised security agents. 

"We only hope that in the name of fairness and justice, the President will correct this anomaly and place Dr. Fasehun in Nigeria's democratic Hall of Fame as he very well deserves," the Estate said.

"Truth should not be sacrificed on the altar of politics, however. Dr. Fasehun should be given his well-deserved historical recognition as a true Nigerian Hero of Democracy," the statement declared.

While acknowledging that leading a huge nation like Nigeria could be a Herculean task, the Fasehuns urged  Tinubu to put welfare packages in place to ameliorate the unprecedented poverty, inflation and insecurity bedeviling citizens. 

 I've Lost Respect For You'

Osimhen Fires Back At Finidi 

Victor Osimhen has responded fiercely to former Super Eagles coach Finidi George‘s claims about his commitment to Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles ahead of the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers this month.

The Napoli striker, who has been the subject of intense transfer speculation linking him to Chelsea and Arsenal, expressed his frustration in a six-minute rant on Instagram, targeting Finidi.

Finidi had suggested that it was challenging to discipline certain players, claiming that Osimhen had opted out of two World Cup qualifying matches despite being fit to play. He accused Osimhen of selectively choosing which games to participate in.

Osimhen, angered by these accusations, took to Instagram Live to voice his displeasure:

“I called Finidi George when he was appointed and told him: ‘Let’s do great things together.’ I asked him to let me stay with the players in the camp, but he told me to stay with my family. Now, after two bad games, everyone is blaming me

He continued, “I always play my heart out for Nigeria. I know how many injuries I’ve played through for Nigeria. But after two bad games, everyone is attacking me. I have lost all respect for him.

“I always call my teammates to encourage them, but after these games, I wasn’t even part of the team. I got injured in the last minute of our last match. The MRI confirmed an ankle injury. I won’t allow disrespect from anyone. I play my heart out for Nigeria.”

Despite Osimhen’s injury, Finidi maintained that the striker could have played in the matches.

Osimhen was ruled out for four weeks due to a twisted ankle, and he now feels unfairly targeted for the Super Eagles’ failure to win those games.

The 25-year-old striker remains a hot topic in football transfer news, but his recent comments have highlighted the tension between him and the former coach.

Under Finidi’s leadership, the Super Eagles suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat to the Benin Republic in Abidjan, following a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

These results leave the Super Eagles winless after four matches, sitting in fifth place in Group C with just three points, putting Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in serious jeopardy.

 Finidi Loses Eagles Job?

. Slams NFF For Encouraging Indiscipline

. Says Victor Osimhen, Other Senior Players Lack Commitment

Embattled Super Eagles coach, Finidi George may have bid farewell to the national team coaching job following his criticism of the egg-heads at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The former Nigerian international stated that it was impossible to sanction some players who belong to some "big men." 

This shocking revelation comes on the heels of Finidi George's declaration that he has not received much support from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

This is even as he was quoted, stating that it was impossible to sanction some players who belong to some "big men." 

He said these when he along with NFF chieftains met with Sports Minister, John Enoh, in Abuja to review the Super Eagles’ tottering 2026 World Cup campaign after they held South Africa to a 1-1 draw in Uyo before they were shocked by lowly Benin 2-1 in Abidjan

Finidi also used the poster boy of Nigerian footballer, Victor Osimhen, to drive home his point that the country’s top stars are not fully committed to the Super Eagles. 

Osimhen was not available for the two all-important World Cup qualifiers with an official explanation that he was injured and sidelined for four weeks.

Finidi said the Napoli striker could still have managed to play these matches. 

The coach went on to say that it appears that Osimhen chooses the games he plays for Nigeria and he (Finidi) cannot beg him to play for his country.

The former Enyimba coach also bemoaned the complete breakdown of discipline in the team and was totally disappointed with how the players strolled into training camp for the crucial World Cup qualifiers.

He said many of these players had the backing of some powerful NFF Board members and that it became increasingly difficult to sanction them because he would often be warned that a player “belonged” to a certain “big man." 

It is a public knowledge how Nigerians called for the sack of Finidi after his woeful performances in matches he had been in charge of. 

The NFF also said it was scouting for a foreign technical adviser to supervise the remaining qualifying matches of the Super Eagles.

Perhaps, the former Ajax Amsterdam winger knew his days are up as the Eagles tactician with his fallout with board members of the NFF. 

Beside, he seems to have started losing the trust and confidence of some influential players in the senior national team like captain Ekong and talisman, Victor Osimhen

THE SMARTEST FAMILY!

  THE SMARTEST FAMILY!

How Imafidon Family Breaks All Academic Records

The Imafidons are a Nigerian family of 7 living in England. Their father is Chris Imafidon and their mother is Ann Imafidon. Both parents are from Edo state who emigrated to England more than 30 years ago. They have 5 very intelligent children between them.

The family has achieved exceptional feats in the field of academic over the years that they have come to be known all over the world for their smartness.

Chris Imafidon

Chris Imafidon is a professor who made up his mind many years ago to train his children right and ensure that they have everything they need to excel in school. And this is exactly what he did. Imafidon has basically dedicated his entire life to raising genius people especially young kids starting with his children.

Imafidon is renowned to be a multi-award winning scientist who has had his works featured in top media outlets like CNN, BBC, Fox News, New York Times, Daily Mail and a host of others. In fact, Imafidon has been reportedly quoted and cited in more than 1,500 major media outlets all over the world.

The man’s expertise is in developing young children into well-bred achievers in academics and other fields. Imafidon believes that with proper training every child can become a truly great achiever.

Now let us talk about the man’s children. Chris Imafidon is apparently not a man who talks and never does. The man lives by his words. Having professed to be a man who spots and supports genius kids to grow into great achievers, Imafidon has shown that he is not just bluffing because his own children are also geniuses whom he has trained to excel well in school.

Imafidon’s five children have done the family proud and we will now talk about their achievements.

Paula and Peter Imafidon

Paula and Peter Imafidon are twins and they are perhaps the most popular members of the Imafidon family. The reason is because of their incredible smartness and the record-breaking streaks they have had in England.

In fact, these two kids are considered to be the highest young achievers in Great Britain. At one point, they were even given the nickname “The Wonder Twins”.

When they were just 9 years of age, Paula and Peter made history as the youngest children in British history to attend high school. That immediately gained them some popularity in England. Everybody wanted to know who these “Wonder Kids” were.

The kids became the youngest persons ever to have passed the University of Cambridge’s advanced mathematics exam. They passed the exams after participating in the Excellence in Education program. The achievements made them even more famous around the world as child prodigies who have been blessed with incredible brains.

The twins set world records when they passed the A/AS-level math papers in England, a feat which set them apart permanently from any set of students in UK history.

Both children are aspiring musicians although Peter has said he will like to serve as Prime Minister one day while his sister Paula, wants to teach math.

The twins are also athletes. Peter is a 100m and 400m relay champion in London and Paula is county rugby champion.

Ann-Marie Imafidon

Ann-Marie Imafidon is the oldest child of the Imafidons. This young woman who is now 28 year old is incredibly talented. Ann-Marie who started her schooling at St Saviour Church of England Primary School in Walthamstow, London, was already speaking six languages by the tender age of 10.

Ann-Marie went on to become the youngest girl ever to pass A-level computing at the young age of 13.

At the same age of 13, the young girl won a British Government scholarship to study mathematics at the very prestigious Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA.

When she turned 15 years old, Ann-Marie gained admission to study for a degree program at the University of Oxford. Two years later at age 17, she had already started a master’s degree at Oxford.

In 2010, when she was just 19 years old, Ann-Marie became the youngest person ever to graduate with a masters degree.

Because of her incredible success in academies, Ann-Marie was described as a “serial world record breaker” by the ‘Higher Education Digest’ in it’s September 2011 edition.

Today, the young woman is doing very well for herself. In 2013, she launched and became the CEO of Stemettes. Stemettes is an outfit that is championing the work and participation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics).

For her work, Ann-Marie has been recognized by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, MBE.

Samantha Imafidon

Samantha Imafidon stunned the UK when she passed two high school-level mathematics and statistics exams at the very tender age of 6.

Samantha went on to become the youngest girl in the United Kingdom to ever attend secondary school at the mere age of 9. Just like her siblings she was towing the line of great excellence.

This young lady is also credited with being the one who had thoroughly mentored the twins, Paula and Peter, to pass their own test when they were also 6 years old.

Truly, the man Chris Imafidon and his wife, Ann Imafidon have done an enviable work in training their children and should be a strong example in how parents must raise their kids in the contemporary world.

 

 

MYSTERIOUS DEATH!

MYSTERIOUS DEATH!

US-based Nigerian Oil Magnet Die In Lagos Hotel Room 

A United States-based Nigerian businessman identified as Robert Onyejekwe is dead.

The oil and gas magnate who was visiting Nigeria from his base in Sugar Land, Houston, Texas, was discovered dead in his hotel room in Ikoyi, Lagos in the evening of Sunday June 9, 2024.

According to The Street Journal, Onyejekwe was in town for some business meetings and in between the meetings, retired to his hotel room for a short rest only to end up dead mysteriously.

Sources revealed that he was in Nigeria for meetings regarding an oil and gas company he purchased about four years ago, and had put plans in motion to move back to Nigeria in the not too distant future, reportedly to fully take over the running of the company personally, after allegedly discovering some shady dealings being perpetuated by those he put in charge of the company.

He was only 51 years old.

His wife and a family friend are said to be on their way to Lagos to return his corpse to Houston for burial.

Just before flying down to Nigeria, he hosted his annual Over The Counter, OTC party in Houston, Texas.

From Onitsha, Anambra State, he was the President, Bits and Drilling Tools, a product line with executive leadership, global strategy, technology portfolio and business management of one of the fastest growing business units in Schlumberger.

Under his leadership, several game changing Bits and Drilling technology were launched which is intended to provide the oil and gas industry with reduced driving cost by improving rate of penetration.

Until his death, he was the Global Director, Sales and Commercial for the Reservoir and Infrastructure group for Schlumberger.