WINDFALL!

 EFCC RECOVERS N156BILLION IN ONE YEAR UNDER TINUBU 

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede,  has disclosed that the Commission  secured  3175 convictions and recovered  N156, 276,691,242.30 (One Hundred and Fifty-six Billion, Two Hundred and Seventy-Six Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand, Two Hundred and Forty-Two Naira, Thirty kobo) between May 29, 2023 and May 29,  2024 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office.

He stated this in Abuja recently at the launch of Zero Tolerance Club in University Abuja, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Olukoyede, who spoke through the Secretary to the Commission, Mohammed Hammajoda said the EFCC also recovered  $43,835,214.24,  £25,365.00,  €186,947.10, ₹51,360.00, C$3,750.00 , A$740.00,  ¥74,754.00, R35,000.00, 42,390.00 UAE Dirhams, 247.00 Riyals and 21,580, 867631 Crypto Currency.

Speaking further, the Chairman stated that, though the EFCC put up impressive performance within the year, involvement of youths in internet fraud continued to pose serious concerns to every stakeholder in the anti-graft war.

“In spite of this commendable performance, the Commission is deeply worried about the increasing involvement of young people, including students, in cybercrime, popularly called yahoo yahoo.  Hundreds of suspects are arrested monthly, with many of them ending up in jail,” he said.

He called on students of the University to stay away from internet fraud, stressing that conviction for fraud “ is a burden that will leave a life-long scar on the fortunes of these youths”.  He further stated that there was no justification for cybercrime anywhere.

“There is no justification that will make yahoo yahoo acceptable. Contrary to the impression in some quarters, being a fraudster is not synonymous with creativity or being smart.. As students,   you are expected to channel your creative energies into useful engagements and not get entangled in cheating others of their resources,” he said. 

Also speaking, Director of Public Affairs Department of the Commission, DCE Wilson Uwujaren said the Commission was at the University not only to inaugurate Zero Tolerance Club, but also to mobilise youths against the ills of corruption.  

“The blessings that God has given Nigeria has not really translated into wealth for all of us. And for some of us who are a little bit older, we have cause to express worry about the future of our children and the future of our youths.  This is why the EFCC is here today not only to launch a Zero Tolerance Club for you, but to also sensitize you on why it is important for you to embrace the fight against corruption,” he said.  The Club, he further explained,  “is a platform of continuous conversation on why our nation has to fight and win the war against corruption”.

In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah charged the youths to be productive and avoid doing anything that would destroy the good name or image of their families. He further tasked them to be productive like their counterparts in the developed nations where talents  are used for creativity and innovation rather than indulging in internet fraud.  He commended Olukoyede and management of the Commission for finding the University of Abuja worthy for a Zero Tolerance Club.

In his presentation on the ills of cybercrime,  Assistant Commander of the EFCC,  ACEII David Ife advised youths to channel their energy towards productive and beneficial purposes for themselves and the nation at large, pointing out that criminality offered no gain to anyone.

Head, Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the Commission, ACE11 Aisha Mohammed said the essence of the launch of the club in Universities was to develop, nurture and empower future leaders to be proactive and  be “Ambassadors of the Commission through education and by guiding them to propagate the core-values  of anti-corruption in their family, neighbourhood, schools, communities, societies and the country at large”.

The launch was concluded with the presentation of the Manuals and Magazines of the Commission to the Patron of the Club.  A signage was also presented to the School

 Air Peace Boss, Onyema Declared Wanted Fugitive in US Over $20m Money Laundering Scam

The recent visit of British royal couple, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Nigeria may have re-ignited investigation into an alleged $20million money laundering scam involving Air Peace Boss, Dr. Allen Onyema.

According to a report published recently in New York Times, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly welcomed to Lagos, Nigeria by a fugitive wanted in the United States for money laundering and bank fraud.

Dr. Allen Onyema, 59, was among a small group of officials who greeted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they touched down in the city last Sunday, according to the Daily Mail.

Onyema is the founder and CEO of Air Peace, a Nigerian carrier that Meghan and Harry used on their 3-day tour of the country.

The charismatic businessman is well-known in Nigeria, but is the subject of a US federal indictment filed back in November 2019.

At the time, the US Department of Justice released a statement saying Onyema was “charged with bank fraud and money laundering for moving more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of airplanes.”

Onyema allegedly used the laundered money, in part, to buy a Lexus, a Rolls Royce, a Mercedes and designer goods at Prada and Louis Vuitton, CNN has reported.

It’s unclear whether Harry and Meghan are aware of the charges filed against the airline CEO.

Onyema has maintained his innocence, saying back in 2019: “Be rest assured that I also have my lawyers on this and these mere allegations will be refuted.”

“I never laundered money in my life, neither have I committed bank fraud anywhere in the world,” he further asserted. “Every Kobo [Nigerian currency] I transferred to the US for aircraft purchase went through the Central Bank of Nigeria LC regime and all were used for the same purpose.”

In 2010, Onyema began traveling frequently to Atlanta, where he opened several personal and business bank accounts.

According to the DOJ announcement, over $44.9 million was allegedly transferred into Onyema’s Atlanta-based accounts from foreign sources between 2010 and 2018.

“Onyema allegedly leveraged his status as a prominent business leader and airline executive while using falsified documents to commit fraud,” U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak said in the announcement.

“We will diligently protect the integrity our banking system from being corrupted by criminals, even when they disguise themselves in a cloak of international business.”

Harry and Meghan spent 3 days in Nigeria last week after being invited by the West African country’s chief of defense staff — its highest-ranking military official.

Sources within the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office told the Daily Mail that Harry and Meghan were “visiting Nigeria in a private capacity” and that the UK government was not involved in “arranging or facilitating” their activities.

However, critics of the couple claimed the trip imitated a “royal tour” — despite the fact the Sussexes stopped being working royals in 2020.

The tour is said to have made both Prince Willian and King Charles “absolutely furious.”

“Everything you might expect from an official royal visit was there,” author Tom Quinn said about Harry and Meghan’s trip to Nigeria.

Author and royal expert Tom Quinn told the Mirror that “Charles is said to be angrier than anyone has ever seen him.”

“Everything you might expect from an official royal visit was there — the receptions, the visits to schools and charities, to wounded soldiers and the disabled,” Quinn stated.

 

 62 YR-OLD WOMAN AMONG WINNERS AS COBRA CASINO BERTHS IN LAGOS

By Lanre Olaleye 

A 62 year-old woman, Mrs. Benson was among the first set of winners at the grand opening ceremony of Cobra Casino in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The elderly woman, a betting enthusiast won the sum of N250, 000 (Two hundred and fifty thousand naira) in the live Bingo draw held Wednesday night (1st May, 2024) as part of activities marking the official opening ceremony of Cobra Casino.

In the presence of teeming gaming enthusiasts, regulators, other critical stakeholders and the invited guests, the casino was officially opened to business at exactly 2:00 p.m. much to the excitement and admiration of everyone in attendance.

Interestingly, luck and fortunes seemed to have smiled on three of the invited guests who won a combined total sum of N942, 000 (Nine hundred and forty-six thousand naira) on slot machine 2,3, and 5.

The trio (two ladies and a gentleman) who pleaded not to be named were immediately paid their winnings through bank transfers before they departed the casino

From the stable of Winners Golden Ventures, Cobra Casino is poised to take an enviable spot in the gaming and entertainment industry in Nigeria.

Located at the beautiful and serenity premises on 91, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Cobra Casino is fashion after the Southeast Asian casino culture with a vibrant and diverse phenomenon that reflects a rich cultural heritage and love for gaming in luck and fortune, food and beverages, entertainment and strict regulations.

Cobra Casino offers a wide range of games, including slots, bacarrat, roulette, Texas Hold'em, poker, black jack etc. 

It is operated by Cobra Entertainment and is licensed and regulated by the Lagos State Government.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony, the Director of Finance and Administration, Gbenga Ademoyo said the company's passion for actively involved in any game business informed the birthing of Cobra Casino adding that it has the potential to become the leading player in the casino business because it offers the best in terms of varieties of games, the ambience and security.

On the significance of the name 'Cobra' Ademoyo asserted: "The cobra snake is a fascinating and feared creature. Cobras have cultural and symbolic significance in many societies, representing rebirth, renewal, and royalty. With this symbolism, Cobra Casino represent rebirth and renewal in the casino business in Nigeria and we are highly determined to wear the crown as the leading casino from now on."

Expectedly, Azeez Adeshina, a career casino manager with close to 20 years experience in the casino business will be leading Cobra's charge for a successful future. With a strong network of contacts,  Adeshina has the aura to attract the critical stakeholders to record success.

"We are faced with an audacious task before us but we are determined to pull through all the stops. Part of the things that sets Cobra Casino from others are live Bingos, where gamers have opportunity to win millions on a daily basis.

"We are also going to introduce tournaments from Texas as well as offer attractive bonuses. We are going to rely more on our customer relations strategy to build a strong customer base through our social media handles @cobracasino on Facebook and Instagram. 

Aside this, we are going to be partnering with some Southeast Asian agents whereby we are going to contract some table to them to bring in some Asian stakers," Adeshina stated.

 HOW OSOLO DIED

The Real Cause of His Death

By Lanre Olaleye

Dateline: Osolo's Palace, Isolo, Lagos (Sunday 31st March 2024)

It was a normal day for the Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabir Adelaja Alani Agbabiaka. The Osolo's Palace is a Mecca of some sort for Muslims and all manner of people especially during the Ramadan fasting when the down-trodden and the less privilege gather to collect food items facilitated by the monarch and the Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to break their fast.

As a normal practice, Oba Agbabiaka had Iftar (breaking of fast) with his chiefs, close friends and associates in his palace. Thereafter, he reportedly said his prayers and later rejoined his friends for the normal conversations and banters till around 11 p.m. when he was said to have retired to bed. Some of his chiefs reportedly escorted him to his inner chambers before bidding him goodbye.

Osolo's busy schedule during the day demands he should have a well-deserve night rest. Hence, one  of his wives, Olori Khadijat had left a stern instruction to palace aides not to disturb the monarch from his sleep. 

In what later appeared to be a journey of no return, an insider within the palace recounted the final moments of the Isolo monarch. He exclusively told The Snoop during a chat a loud scream from the Oba's inner chambers rudely shattered the peace within the palace a few hours after midnight when many were fast asleep.

"There was serious commotion in the palace as Kabiyesi was shouting and screaming at the top of his voice and muttering "My head! my head!!, my head!!!. Our source began.

"He was clutching his head even as his screams woke up many of us within the palace. We all rushed to his inner chamber to know what had happened.

There and then, we knew something bad had happened because he was still clutching his head. He was sweating profusely and looked so pale and weak.

"We were confused and dejected because he was not responding to antidotes that were administered on him to subside the headache. He was breathing heavily and caught a pitiable sight even as he continued muttering inaudibly. Then it was decided he should be taken to Newline Hospital around Aswani where his condition worsened because he had lost consciousness. After two days without improvement on his condition, the doctor advised he should be refered to LASUTH for proper intervention," revealed our source who did not want his name mentioned in print for obvious reason.

At LASUTH, the embattled monarch was said to have been given prompt attention following the directive of Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu who reportedly directed the hospital management to muster all resources to save the monarch's life.

The Osolo who until his death was the secretary of the Lagos State Obas Council was placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after falling into coma. 

"He was in coma for about nine days before he eventually gave up the ghost. He was not battling any terminal disease and the sickness came rather too sudden." 

Asked what could have been the actual cause of death, our source said doctors at LASUTH did not discuss his case with anyone except his wife and junior brother. He, however, informed that Cerebral  Stroke was listed as the cause of death in the Death Certificate issued by the hospital management.

Findings revealed Cerebral Stroke happen when a blood clot block the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. These blood clots typically form in area where the arteries has been narrowed or blood over time by fatty deposits. 

However, the hospital verdict has not bode well with the opinion of many who were well acquainted with the late monarch. Speculations were rife that the monarch must have died through supernatural cause. 

"The manner through which it happened gave credence to the fact that it was a spiritual attack. It was a known pattern by evil doers to catch their victims by surprise. It came so sudden and the perpetrators are happy now that they have achieved their aim. But one thing is certain, God will one day catch up with them," another source told our correspondent.

 Osolo of Isolo Is Dead

By Lanre Olaleye

The Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Adelaja Agbabiaka is dead.

The Isolo monarch died yesterday 9th May 2024 after a brief illness.

Oba Agbabiaka who until his death was the secretary of the Lagos State Traditional Council was crowned Isolo monarch in 2004 after the demise of the former Osolo, Oba Yekini Goloba who died in 2003.

Though the demise of Oba Agbabiaka has not been officially communicated by authorities of Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), The Snoop exclusively gathered that the flamboyant king died in the early hours of Tuesday after an undisclosed brief illness.

Oba Agbabiaka who was once the Head of Okota Family thus became the second Isolo monarch to die during the Muslim festive period. The first was Oba Disu Olayiwola Faronbi who died on June 30th 1984 on Sallah Day.