Saying No to Rape beyond the Words

The problems in our society are quite appalling. Different problems everyday, it is quite disheartening to wake up to this awful news daily. From rape to racism and others. What's happening to the world?

Why do we train our women to be responsible and forget to train most of our men?
We live in a society where the woman is blamed for being raped. Rape is never the victims' fault because no body wants to be raped. We tell our women to dress well to avoid rape but it is not about the dressing. Modestly dressed people get raped, babies are raped and we blame it on the dressing of the woman. We have freedom to dress in the way we like but then we become scared.


We live in a society where we let innocent women be raped, get blamed and die of depression or sometimes even get killed by the rapist while the rapists roam the street like innocent people. Most women who get raped can't even speak up because of the fear of been condemned by the society. It's true that men also get raped but the cases of male rape is very low compared to that of women.


We need to be bold and speak up. We are the change we want to see in the world.

My Eye - Witness Daylight Burial of Criminal Justice by Daniel O. Adedigba

Today, I saw a new twist to the Administration of Criminal Justice. I was on the queue at a Gtbank ATM just in front of a major road linking Ogbomoso to Oyo when I saw a naked man running and gasping for air. The poor guy (hereinafter addressed as the accused person) had been alleged of stealing two hundred thousand naira (N200,000) in a shop nearby, stripped naked and in the course of being beaten, took to his heels. In the twinkle of an eye, I saw some young men as well as some motorcyclists in pursuit. As though the accused had a special training in 'escaping', the long list of chasers could not catch him. At some point, he made a U-Turn, ran into the ATM section of the bank, receiving beatings on the run yet not caught. The occasioned ruggedness of the accused had already awakened more pursuers to the extent that it became obvious the guy would be caught. 

Given the nature of the scene, I was sure if the accused was not eventually killed, he would be closed to death when they get him down. In my firm position that Justice is for the tripartite of the Victim, the State and the Accused, I woke the consciousness of some persons close to me to the legal aftermath of what is happening and luckily, one of them linked the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Oyo Command. In what was to me a commendable response by the SARS team, there was blasting of siren in few minutes. The team was however clogged by the heavy traffic on the road which led to a little delay to the scene where the accused was held down.  

Before getting to the scene where the accused person was pinned down, the accused had already been brutalised to the expense of losing blood from his palm, head and shoulder. The SARS team condemned the brutality of the accused person and told the league of complainants that they (SARS) cannot go with the accused person; this was of course to avoid fundamental human right issues with public interest lawyers in the event that anything happen to the accused. The SARS team mentioned that in the instance that the accused die before they get to their station, who will be held responsible? No one was ready to answer that question. 

In no time, the SARS team drove off and mentioned that if the victim of the theft was ready to pursue the matter, she should treat the accused of the sustained injuries and bring him to their station. The team drove off leaving the accused behind. The matter was then left in the hand of several public commentators, self-acclaimed judges and opinionated rabble rousers throwing different opinions and options. In the long run, they agreed in unison that the accused person be left to go on his own as no one was ready to treat him for the matter to be prosecuted. 

What follows quickly is where lies the fate of the barefooted blindfolded woman holding a sword and a scale - Justice. Given this instance, was there Justice for the accused? Who was brutally beaten without been heard, without being tried, without the sledge hammer of the court convicting him of theft contrary to our criminal laws. Was their Justice for the Victim of theft? Who within minutes was stripped of a whopping and hard-earned two hundred thousand naira, who could not get her money back and who could not give information to prosecute the suspect. 

Was their Justice for the State? Perhaps NO, NO, NO. The overriding question then is Why? At what point was Justice buried and at what point was Justice made impossible? The quick answer is at the point where the empathetic passersby started the rounds of beating on the accused, subjected him to torture, inhumane treatment and stripped him in entirety of the dignity of his human person as entrenched in Section 34, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) 1999 and immediately condemned him guilty without trial in contravention of Section 36(5) CFRN 1999. 

It is a twist to the Administration of Criminal Justice and a deep stab in the back for the message of Justice. The massage remains evergreen. "Every person who has been charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until he is proven guilty". In this instance, the presumption of innocence was raped and Jungle Justice prevailed. It is, I suppose, that the long list of torturers of the accused person should be apprehended for criminal assault. 

By the directive of the Legal Maxim; Fiat Justitia, Ruat Coelum, Justice must be done even though heaven falls. In this instant case, the heaven did not even fall yet Justice was not done.

It was indeed a tripartite loss! A tragedy of monumental proportions!

Daniel Adedigba

[email protected]

Crime Meets Criminality: Human Nature or Inhumanity?

Be a good human being, a warm hearted, affectionate person. That is my  fundamental belief- DALAI LAMA


Sometimes, I think that humans, are birthed with the tendency to commit crimes and engage in forms of criminalities. Most times, I end up brushing off the thought because I have met people who are true definitions of humanity. Judging by recent happenings, I concluded that we have more percentage who are inherently wicked and evil. This claim is not far-fetched as it is evidently seen in the story of Abel and Cain.

It saddens my heart and brings tears to my optics when I see the high rate of crimes in this century. Once in a while, I wish to take an investigative journey to the past centuries to understudy if crimes were these high then. Rapes, murders, racism among other crimes are being reported almost everyday. All these social vices want me to question where humans humanity and tolerance have gone to?

The past days have been virtually eventful, but sadly, for negative reasons. In these past days, we have heard and read of killings, rape and murder. But the cases that stood out were that of a teenager who was 'mistakenly' murdered in cold blood, a lady who was brutalised a a result of rape and a black man who suffered the consequence of being black.
READ: Coronavirus: Career Tamed, Professionalism Tampered
Police brutality is something not new to Nigerians. The numbers of those killed in the first two weeks of the lock down were more than the total that were  killed by the Coronavirus. Police's insatiability for corruption can not be imagined. They can do anything when their illegal requests are  not attended to by drivers. But what I could not come to terms with is why would a supposedly law enforcement agent fired a gun carelessly: something that should not be done by civilians like me. Many results of the police brutality and rash decisions have been reported in recent times. The most recent of such brutality and senseless shooting was that of Tina Ezekwe. Tina who was a teenager was hit by a police officer's misfire shot at Iyana Oworo area of Lagos state. I will like to see it as a murder case  rather than a case of manslaughter. Tina at the time of her death was aged 16 and due to sit for her WAEC examination this year. Yes, I called it a case of murder because nothing gave the police officer the reason and audacity to rashly and unreasonably fire. I would not want to start imagining the state the girl's parent would be at this time. We keep hearing young minds are the leaders of tomorrow, but it seems to me  that everything is being coordinately put in place that the paradigm never comes to fruition. An example should be made out of the police officer in question so as to serve as a deterrent to other trigger- happy police officers.



Rape cases have been prevalent, not only in Nigeria, but also all over the world in recent times. Those who religiously follow international updates would give an acceptable nod to this claim. Hardly would a day pass without at least a reported case of rape. Nigeria stands among countries recording cases of rape in recent times. In a report, it was said at least a girl child is raped everyday in Nigeria. But the rape case of Uwa serve as one of the backdrop for writing this piece. I find it unbelievable that the victim was raped and brutalised inside a church! The late Uwavera Omozuwa was a 200-level Uniben student who had decided to take the church a reading centre as a result of this covid-19 pandemic when all institutions are under lock and key. As her usual habit, the late Uwa on Saturday, May 30 decided to visit her reading base which was a redeemed church for another reading session before she was pounced on by vagina-hungry predators. She was badly raped and brutalised. I will rather not focus on the fact that the criminal, disgusting and ungodly act was carried out inside a church as the perpetrators may be infidels or atheists, not that I have problems with them being infidels or atheists as everyone is entitled to his/her beliefs. But I will rather focus on the inhumanity displayed by these individuals. Another rape case involving 14 men raping a young girl was reported in Jigawa this morning. There is nothing we can call that  than it is an act of wickedness. I hold the opinion that more stringent laws should be passed on any cases involving rape. Many women are raped and they have to live with the stain and stigma for the rest of their lives. Some are not strong enough, they would rather take solace in murder. There should be no place in the world where women will feel insecure as right to life  and property is one of the fundamental human rights. As a result of consiszent reports of rape cases, many women would leave their homes in fear of being way laid or raped. In this Uwa's case, humanity has definitely gone on an expedition of no return.

Uwa
The Late Uwa
                      

Humanity decided earlier this week to take another break when an innocent man suffered the consequence of being born black. The current event has generated reactions all over the world. Since the occurrence of the incident, nationwide protests have been going on in the United States of America. George Floyd suffered a tragedy of police brutality in Minneapolis, Minnesota in America not because he was asked for bribe or refusing police arrest or shot at a police officer, but because he was black. His death was just that of circumstances birthed by the world we live in. Racism has been around for as long as I could remember and many have kissed the mother earth as victims of racism. A sneak peek to books like Native sons, Sizwe Bansi is dead, Second class citizen and a host of other  negro oriented work of arts: prose, poetry and drama will sharpen one's mind and take one on a long memory lane. Africa was blindly looted by whites for more than a hundred years. Even after independence, we are still enslaved by their Ideas. Years after breaking the shackles of imperialism and colonialism, Africans still struggle for acceptability. The White see black as nobody, especially, in the White man's land. It is the highest degree of inhumanity to kneel on someone's neck and others present would just derive pleasure in the whole scenario by laughing away. Even after pleading for his dear life, they didn't bulge. George Floyd's offence was that he was black. I find it nauseating that people judge by  colours. Nobody holds any decision on the colour he would be birthed. I was born black not because I had a choice, but because I was lucky to be born black. You were born White not because you had a choice, but because you were lucky to be born White. I think the United Nations Organisation should try everything possible to put an end to any forms of racism around the world. As a result of racism, Africans live in fear of being abused, maligned and marginalised because of the colour of the skins. The protests in America that have sent the United States' president to the white house bunker should send a strong message to other countries what racism can cause and that being black is not an aberration.

The Late George Floyd
                 
READ: 'I Can't Breathe'' - The Murder of George Floyd
An anonymous author said, "Humanity should be our race. Love should be our religion." I hold the opinion that humanity should come first before anything. We are set of religious people, but lacking in the area of humanity. This world would be a better place to live on if we are able to balance religion and humanity.

Gunmen attack community, set monarch, Deputy Speaker’s houses ablaze

Gunmen went on rampage in Orsumoghu community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, setting ablaze houses belonging to the State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Pascal Agbodike.The attackers also reportedly set ablaze the house of the traditional ruler of the community and that of the President General of the community, Nze Denis Muomaife.

The incident was made known during a meeting of stakeholders in Anambra South Senatorial Zone with the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Recall that Anambra South Zone had previously been marked as a redspot of insecurity in the state.

Following the persistent and frequent attacks in the Zone, INEC at the stakeholders’ meeting solicited collaboration to ensure that elections in the zone are held peacefully.

Speaking during the meeting, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Queen Elizabeth Agwu, asked the stakeholders whether elections would be held in those communities because of their current volatility.

In his response, Muomaife, who said his house was burnt down by gunmen two weeks ago, said the community had set up a peace and reconciliation committee to make sure that such issues were tackled in time to ensure that elections can be held in the area.

The REC, Agwu, therefore emphasized that it was about time youths in Anambra State took possession of their lands, noting that insecurity in Igboland (South East) was caused by the indigenes and not imported persons.

“We must hold 2023 elections; it must be credible and the votes must count. This is the time for the youth to rise up in different communities to protect their people.

“We have prepared for the election with materials and men. What we need from communities is to collect their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs. Non-sensitive materials have been distributed already.

“Anything that will make [the] election not successful in Anambra South should be resisted; anyone caught doing abnormal things during the election will not be alive to tell the story.

“I’m relying on the Presidents-General in all the communities and traditional rulers to secure their areas during the election. Let us avoid suppressing ourselves,” she said.

Speaking further, Agwu said that the corporate existence of Nigeria depends on the 2023 general elections.

She noted that “This nation is seriously depleted today and that’s why we’re talking about unity. Voter education concerns and affects everyone in this country. There are so many ways it affects us, but the problem we have here is our penchant for pursuing money.”

Ondomind 

Court Sends Peter Obi's DG, Okupe to Jail for N702m Scam

Doyin Okupe, former senior special assistant on public affairs to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and chieftain of the Labour party is to spend two years in prison following his conviction today, December 19, 2022 by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court Abuja.In a well-considered judgment, the trial court held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, successfully established its case against Okupe, that evidence before it established that the defendant had in the discharge of his official duties, accepted cash payments that were above the statutory threshold, without recourse to a financial institution.

It was alleged that Okupe received funds from the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, which he could not account for. He was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment on counts 34 to 59. The charges are centred on accusations of receiving various sums ranging from N10million in different occasions from 2012 to 2015 from ONSA when he was senior special assistant on public affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan. The court however gave the defendant an option of N500, 000 fine on each of the counts.

He was however discharged on counts one to 33 which bordered on money laundering and criminal breach of trust

He was mandated to pay the fine before 4.30 pm or be committed to prison.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC had arraigned Okupe alongside his two companies: Value Trust Investments and Abrahams Telecoms on a 59-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of N702,000,000 (Seven Hundred and Two Million Naira only) .

One of the charges Okupe is facing is: “That you, Dr. Doyin Okupe, being the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan from July 2012 to May 2015, and being the managing director, chief executive officer, and a signatory to the bank account of Abrahams Telecoms Ltd, on or about the 3rd October, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, directly took possession or control of the sum of N35 million, transferred to the account of Abrahams Telecoms Ltd from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria, purporting to be for special services when you reasonably ought to have known that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity”.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charges upon arraignment, setting the stage for his full trail. In the course of the trial, the EFCC called several witnesses and tendered documents which were admitted in evidence.

After the prosecution closed its case, Okupe refused to open his defence. Instead, he made a no case submission, that the prosecution had not satisfied the requirement of proving its case beyond reasonable doubt and failed to prove that he acquired the money illegally as charged. This was subsequently dismissed by the court, which ordered him to open his defence.

The convict called a number of witnesses in the course of his defence. One of the witnesses who testified as the fourth defence witness was Honourable Bamidele Salami, a member of the House of Representatives, who served as head of media in the office of the then senior special assistant on public affairs to President Jonathan. He had told the court on February 8, 2021 that “there were approximately 30 staff in different units of the office and the office was funded by the Presidency through the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA under Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd)”.

He disclosed that funding in the sum of N10 million Naira was provided on a monthly basis in cash to Doyin Okupe through an officer in ONSA.

Bamidele further revealed that N3million was paid for a programme, 'Insight' on NTA, to correct the negative perception of the former President.

He said it was untrue that the programme was aired “free of charge” as corporate social responsibility by the NTA.

However, the defence witness’ evidence on the sponsorship of Insight on NTA contradicted the testimony of the first prosecution witness (PW1), Osas Azonabor, an operative of the EFCC, who had told the court "that no receipt was issued for the payment to NTA. However a letter was written to NTA and investigations further revealed that the programme was aired free of charge as directed by the then Director General of NTA who said the programme was to be seen as the Corporate Social Responsibility of the NTA."

Ondomind

Just In: Court convicts Okupe of breaching money laundering Act

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted former Senior Special Assistant on Media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, of allegedly breaching the Money Laundering Act. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu presiding over the case on Monday found Okupe guilty of contravening sections 16(1)&(2) of the Money Laundering Act and accepting cash in excess of the threshold allowed under the Act without going through a financial institution.

Okupe is the Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council of the Labour Party.

The Justice has stood down proceedings till 1:45pm

This is to allow Okupe to exercise his right under Section 310 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to call witnesses to testify about his character.

Thereafter, the court will proceed to pronounce its sentence.

Ondomind 

Amotekun arrests 32 suspected criminals in Ondo

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun has arrested no fewer than 32 persons in connection with various criminal activities.According to the corps, the suspected criminals were arrested in different locations across the 18 local government areas of the state and they allegedly involved in acts such as armed robbery, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, fraud, and stealing, among others.

Parading the suspects at the headquarters of the command in Akure, the state capital, on Friday, the state Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said the suspects would be prosecuted after the completion of investigations.

Adeleye, mentioned that among the suspects were burglars who allegedly used chemical substances to make the victims sleep off by spraying them into their rooms before breaking in and disposing them of their valuables while some of the female victims are raped.

He said, “We have a group of burglars that specializes in drugging unsuspecting residents of various houses, so, they will sleep off, break the burglary, enter their houses, dispossess them of their valuables while some of them are raped. And because of the high dose of drugs they injected into their (victims) system, some of them don’t even wake up, so we’ve been able to break that syndicate.

“They don’t normally have direct access to the victims, what they do is to jump across their fences, and pump in with a syringe, these chemicals into their (victims) rooms, wait for about 30 to 40 minutes, every living thing inside the room sleeps off.”

On the recent kidnap and release of the monarch of Oso Ajowa Akoko, Oba Clement Jimoh, the Amotekun boss stated, “we tracked and we were able to have a very good idea of what was happening there but what is paramount to us is the life of the victim.

“No matter how beautiful an operation is, once the victim is killed, then, it is defeated, so, these are some of the constraints that are almost natural in the course of our job to slow down. We can assure you that some of those involved in the kidnap of the monarch will be apprehended,” he added.

He implored the people of the state to always give out information that could assist the command to arrest criminals in and around their environments.

Ondomind 

Credit: The Punch

NDLEA intercepts 1.7million opioid pills in noodles, seizes 5,460.34kgs of skunk in Lagos, Edo, Bauchi, Kaduna, Oyo, Delta raids

At least, One Million Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty (1,760,460) pills of Tramadol and other opioids have been intercepted hidden in indomie noodles packs and others at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos as well as in Gombe state.While over 600,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg coming from Karachi, Pakistan in two separate shipments on Ethiopian Airlines flights were intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA at the SAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport on Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th December; 5,960 pills of Rohypnol concealed in 60 packs of indomie noodles going to Johannesburg, South Africa were also seized at the SAHCO export shed of the airport on Wednesday 14th December. A female freight agent, Olaleye Adeola has already been arrested in connection with the noodles consignment.  

In a related development, a trader at Balogun market in Lagos Island, Akunne Chibuzor Tochukwu was on Tuesday 13th Dec arrested in collaboration with the Zone 2 Police Headquarters, Lagos over his attempt to export a Tramadol consignment to Dubai, UAE. The consignment was seized at the Lagos airport by NDLEA operatives on 25th November while a market labourer, Oke Abosede Ronke whose services were requested to convey the drug for export had earlier been arrested.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Sunday 11th December intercepted a truck and a bus conveying 113 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa weighing 4,802.84 kilograms around the VGC estate area of Ajah while three suspects: Taofeek Yusuf; Ifeanyi Okorie and Israel Nwachukwu were arrested in connection with the seizures.

In Gombe state, a total of 1,154,500 pills of Tramadol, Rohypnol and Exol being transported from Onitsha, Anambra state to Gombe by a truck driver, Umar Hassan, 28, were seized on Thursday 15th Dec. at Bye pass area of Gombe by a team of NDLEA officers following credible intelligence.

Also acting on intelligence, operatives in Edo state on Friday 16th Dec intercepted a Honda Ridgeline pick-up vehicle with Reg No BWR 699 CV loaded with 29 bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing 319kgs. The driver of the vehicle, Alfred Vratombo, 32, was arrested with fake police uniforms, which he was using to deceive security men on the road. 

Attempt by a drug dealer, Chucks Kalu, 29, to smuggle into Kano 26kgs of cannabis concealed inside packs of blenders was thwarted by operatives who intercepted the consignment along Abuja-Kaduna express road and later arrested him in a follow up operation in Kano, just as another suspect, Rabilu Sa'ad Abubakar,42, was also arrested in a follow up operation in Kano, following the seizure of his consignment 1,980 bottles of Cough syrup with codeine, concealed inside cartons, were seized along Abuja-Kaduna express road.

In Bauchi state, operatives on Saturday 17th Dec arrested Muhammed Ahmed, 40, with 288 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 244.5Kg in Darazo area of the state, while in Delta state, NDLEA officers stormed the home of a drug kingpin, Okrika Kingsley Ozioma, at Usiefurum town, Ughelli South LGA, where an underground drug bunk was uncovered in a three-bedroom bungalow building owned by the suspect who is now on the run. 17.6kgs of C/S were recovered from the bunk in addition to a 2003 Silver Golf car with registration number Lagos KJA 572 AZ used for the distribution of drugs within and outside Warri. 

In Oyo state, a suspect, Yusuf Ayinde, 40, was arrested with 50.4kgs Cannabis in his residence at Idi-Ose via Amuloko, Ona-Ara LGA, on Saturday 17th Dec. 

While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Lagos, Gombe, Edo, Delta, Kaduna and Oyo state commands for their commitment and vigilance leading to the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) CON, OFR urged them and their compatriots across other formations to continue to surpass their past records of achievements.

Ondomind 

Yahoo School Proprietor, 13 Students in EFCC’s custody

Operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC today, December 15, 2022 arrested Ese Isaiah, proprietor of a ‘Yahoo School’, and 13 of his 'students'.The suspects are Alex Aimuanosa, Jeremiah Umoru, Destiny Aghayere, Christian Oghenekevwe, Wisdom Christopher, Daniel Matthew and Gift Patrick. Others are Lucky Paul, Godspower Osatuohien, Edafe Isaiah, John Elvis, Favour Oseghale and Osas Egho. They were arrested in Benin City based on intelligence on their alleged activities.

Items recovered from the suspects include mobile phones, laptops and a Lexus ES350.

They have made useful statements and will be charged to court as soon the investigations are concluded.

Ondomind

Kogi Gov’s Nephew Arraigned for N10bn Fraud

Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, remanded Aliyu Bello, a nephew to Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello and one Dauda Sulaiman in prison pending the fulfilment of their bail conditionsThey were remanded upon arraignment alongside one Abdulsalami Hudu, Cahier of Kogi State House Administration ( now at large) on a 10-count charge of misappropriation and money laundering

Bello and Sulaiman are accused of fraudulently withdrawing a sum of N10, 270,556,800 (Ten Billion, Two Hundred and Seventy Million, Five Hundred and Fifty-six Thousand Eight Hundred Naira), from the Kogi State treasury, which they delivered to a Bureau de Change operator, Rabiu Tafada in Abuja to keep or change to foreign currencies for personal gains.  

One of the charges reads: “That you, ALI BELLO, DAUDA SULEIMAN AND ABDULSALAMI HUDU (NOW AT LARGE)between January and December, 2021, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured RABIU USMAN TAFADA to take possession of the total sum of N5,865,756,800 (Five Billion, Eight Hundred and Sixty Five Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: criminal misappropriation from the treasury of Kogi State and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 18 (c), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act”.

Another count reads: “That you, ALI BELLO, DAUDA SULEIMAN AND ABDULSALAMI HUDU (NOW AT LARGE) between January and December 2021, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided RABIU USMAN TAFADA to retain the total sum of N2,509,650,000.00 (Two Billion Five Hundred and Nine Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity to wit: Criminal Misappropriation from the treasury of Kogi State Government and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 18 (a) 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act”.

They however pleaded "not guilty" to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC.

In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

Counsel to the second and third defendants, Abdulwahab Mohammed SAN, informed the court of his application for the bail of the defendants.

Justice Omotosho admitted the defendants to bail in the sum One Billion Naira each and two sureties who are to provide a bond of N2billion each and have a landed property valued at N500 million. The title of the properties shall be registered with the chief registrar of the Court.

Each of the sureties and the defendants shall submit their bank statements and international passports to the chief registrar of the Court.

The sureties must also produce an affidavit of means and evidence of tax clearance for at least 3 years.

The judge thereafter sent the defendants to Kuje Correctional centre, Abuja pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions and adjourned the matter till February 6, 2023 for hearing. 

Ondomind 

Convicted Internet Fraudster Forfeits N120m to FBI

Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court, Benin City on Tuesday December 13, 2022 ordered the forfeiture of the sum of N120,284,986.28 (One Hundred and Twenty Million, Two Hundred and Eighty Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eight-six Naira , Twenty-eight Kobo) found in the Keystone bank account of a convicted fraudster, Oghenemine Agbroko to the Federal government of Nigeria through the EFCC for onward delivery to the nominal complainant, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI.Agbroko was among five internet fraudster convicted and sentenced five years imprisonment for fraud by Justice Ikonmwonba.The others are Kennedy Uwuigbe, Odiase Osariemen Christian, Collins Edobor and Ebichuwa Victory Ovie

They were arraigned separately on one count charge bordering on retention of proceeds of crime, personation and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC.

The charge against Agbroko reads: “that you, Jeffrey Oghenemine Agbroko (m) on or about 12th November, 2021 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did retain the sum of N120,284,986.28 (One Hundred and Twenty Million, Two Hundred and Eighty-Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty six naira, Twenty Eight Kobo) in your bank account number 6033867739 domiciled in Keystone Bank Ltd knowing that same represent proceeds of your criminal conduct to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17(b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004”

The charge against Kennedy Uwuigbe reads: “that you, Kennedy Uwuigbe sometimes between 2017 to 4th August, 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Luka Romero, a white man and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (As applicable in Edo State) 1976.

Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charge.  

In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, Francis.A.Jirbo, F.O. Dibang and I.K. Agwai prayed the court to convict and sentenced them accordingly. However, the defence counsel, Pascal Ugbome, pleaded with the Court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first-time offenders who have become remorseful for their actions.

Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Agbroko and Collins Edobor to five years in imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine each.

The trio Uwuigbe, Christian and Ovie bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira each.

The quartet of Uwuigbe, Christian, Edobor and Ovie are to forfeit the aggregate sum of N12,322.476.72 and $954.02 USD worth of Bitcoin, two Mercedes Benz cars, a Toyota Camry car, $2000USD and mobile phones , all being proceeds and instruments of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC.

The court also ordered that the bank accounts used in committing the crime be closed.

Ondomind 

Three sentenced to death by hanging for rape and murder of unilorin student

Kwara State High Court has sentenced three to death by hanging for the rape and murder of University of Ilorin student, Olajide Blessing Omowumi, 24.The convicts were sentenced on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, in Ilorin after a one and half year legal battle.

The 300-level Agricultural Sciences student was found d£ad in her sister's home on 2nd June, 2021 with her mouth gagged with clothes and bruises on her private part.

A pathologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Dr. Kayode Adeniyi informed the court that the autopsy confirmed she was raped and strangled to death.

Eight prime suspects, Abdulazeez Ismail, Ajala Oluwatimileyin (aka Jacklord), Oyeyemi Omogbolahan, Abdulkarim Shuaib (aka Easy), Kareem Rasheed (Rashworld), Abdullateef Abdulrahman, Daud Adebayo (aka Bashman) and Akande Taiye Oladojawere, were arrested by DSS in connection with the murder and rape.

The convicts in court on Tuesday before their sentencing

The trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Adebayo Yusuf who handed down the judgement, convicted 1st, 2nd and 3rd suspects; Abdulazeez Ismail, Ajala Oluwatimileyin and Oyeyemi Omogbolahan, for the offences of culpable homicide punishable with death, conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to murd£r.

The fourth and fifth accused persons were each sentenced to three years in imprisonment for the offence of theft.

Earlier, the court discharged and acquitted 6th, 7th and 8th suspects; Abdullateef Abdulrahman, Daud Bashir Aderayo and Akande Taiye Oladoja on the basis that they were not found guilty of any charges against them.

The 165-typewritten-page judgement, which got almost the whole courtroom shedding tears while being read by Justice Yusuf, saw even the judge weeping openly for more than two minutes while recounting the process of how the deceased was raped, leading to her d£ath.

The judge held that the gang had the intention of theft and r@pe without the intention to kill, however, added that their act led to homicide.

Ondomind

Three sentenced to death by hanging for rape and murder of unilorin student

Kwara State High Court has sentenced three to death by hanging for the rape and murder of University of Ilorin student, Olajide Blessing Omowumi, 24.The convicts were sentenced on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, in Ilorin after a one and half year legal battle.

The 300-level Agricultural Sciences student was found d£ad in her sister's home on 2nd June, 2021 with her mouth gagged with clothes and bruises on her private part.

A pathologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Dr. Kayode Adeniyi informed the court that the autopsy confirmed she was raped and strangled to death.

Eight prime suspects, Abdulazeez Ismail, Ajala Oluwatimileyin (aka Jacklord), Oyeyemi Omogbolahan, Abdulkarim Shuaib (aka Easy), Kareem Rasheed (Rashworld), Abdullateef Abdulrahman, Daud Adebayo (aka Bashman) and Akande Taiye Oladojawere, were arrested by DSS in connection with the murder and rape.

The convicts in court on Tuesday before their sentencing

The trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Adebayo Yusuf who handed down the judgement, convicted 1st, 2nd and 3rd suspects; Abdulazeez Ismail, Ajala Oluwatimileyin and Oyeyemi Omogbolahan, for the offences of culpable homicide punishable with death, conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to murd£r.

The fourth and fifth accused persons were each sentenced to three years in imprisonment for the offence of theft.

Earlier, the court discharged and acquitted 6th, 7th and 8th suspects; Abdullateef Abdulrahman, Daud Bashir Aderayo and Akande Taiye Oladoja on the basis that they were not found guilty of any charges against them.

The 165-typewritten-page judgement, which got almost the whole courtroom shedding tears while being read by Justice Yusuf, saw even the judge weeping openly for more than two minutes while recounting the process of how the deceased was raped, leading to her death.

The judge held that the gang had the intention of theft and r@pe without the intention to kill, however, added that their act led to homicide.

Ondomind

Judge hangs himself in church after killing wife and raping her corpse in front of their kids

A Zimbabwean judge who was declared wanted by the police over the brutal murd£r of his wife has reportedly killed himself in a church.The now deceased Judge Evans Zinzombe, 36, had been on the run from the police after he allegedly kill£d his wife, Pholomina Mabika, 32, on Wednesday, December 7.

He reportedly strangled Phelomina to death with his bare hands and went on to rap£ her corpse in front of their children; a 12-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son.

A police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who declared the Judge wanted said;

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Judge Evans Zinzombe (36), who is being sought in connection with a case of murder which occurred on 07th December 2022 at a house in Cowdray Park in Bulawayo.

“The suspect allegedly sneaked into the room where his wife Pholomina Mabika (32), daughter (12) and a son (7) before strangling her to death with hands.

“The suspect and his wife were reportedly having marital disputes which forced them to sleep in separate rooms.

“After the callous murder, the suspect allegedly went on to sexually abuse the body in full view of his children.

“The children spent the whole night with the body before a police report was made in the morning.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police warns the public against resorting to violence in resolving domestic disputes.

“The police will ensure that the law takes its course on suspects involved in violent crimes such as murder and armed robbery.”

Judge Evans Zinzombe’s body was thereafter discovered hanging from the roof of a church in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb.

Confirming his death, the police said in a statement;

“His body was found hanging from a metal roof truss at a local church in Cowdray Park.”

The police are also treating his death as suicide.

Ondomind

NDLEA intercepts parcels of cocaine, others in powdered milk, baby food, sound systems, arrests suspects in Ipele, Ondo forest

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, have intercepted parcels of cocaine concealed in different parts of a travel bag brought into Nigeria by a Brazil returnee, Nwadinobi Charles Uchemadu from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Doha on a Qatar Airways flight.Uchemadu was arrested on Monday 5th December at the Lagos airport during inward clearance of passengers on the Qatar airways flight following the discovery of three parcels of cocaine weighing 2.70 kilograms factory sealed in parts of his travel bag.

At the SAHCO export shed of the airport same day, NDLEA operatives equally intercepted cans of powdered milk, baby food and beverages used to conceal 3.4 kilograms of cannabis going to Dubai, UAE. A freight agent, Ewelike Chibuike Cyril who presented the consignment for export was subsequently arrested.

In the same vein, parcels of cannabis weighing 6.30kgs concealed in sound systems (speakers) going to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea through the SAHCO export shed of the airport were also seized on Thursday 8th December by the operatives who initially arrested a freight agent, Joseph Obiji involved and later the following day, Friday 9th Dec nabbed another agent, Mbanu Ifeanyi Andrew in a follow up operation at ASPAMDA market, Trade Fair complex, Ojo area of Lagos.

At the Akala notorious drug hub in Mushin area of Lagos, no fewer than 15 drug dealers including two ladies were arrested with 1,400kgs of cannabis sativa among other illicit substances such as heroin, methamphetamine, and 320 bottles of codeine syrup recovered from them during a raid of the area on Friday 9th December. 

Another raid of the popular Idumota business district of Lagos Island on Saturday 10th December led to the seizure of 35,014 pills of tramadol, diazepam, rohypnol and 21.2 litres of codeine syrup while a targeted notorious dealer is still on the run. This is even as officers of the Directorate of Seaports Operations of the Agency arrested a Malian, Dembele Ousmane on Monday 5th December with 32,400 capsules of tramadol 225mg concealed in factory packed buckets of custard while attempting to travel to Mali via boat at Ebute -Ero Jetty in Lagos. 

In Ondo state, operatives on Tuesday 6th Dec. stormed sharp corner, Ipele forest in Owo area of the state where they arrested Rotimi Oyekan and Precious Aluju with C/S weighing 903.3kgs, while another team of NDLEA officers arrested Babatunde Oluyara at Igbotako area of the state, with 168.5kgs of the same substance; 6kgs of monkey tail and various quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.

In Kebbi state, two suspects: Austine Julius and Sale Yakubu were arrested on Sunday 4th December along Yawuri-Kebbi road in a loaded Dyna Truck with 117 bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing 1,070 kilograms concealed under bags of oranges. The following day, Monday 5th December, another set of two suspects: Abdullahi Bala and Ibrahim Wade were intercepted along Koko- Kebbi road in a Dyna Truck loaded with 114 bags of the same substance weighing 1,140 kilograms concealed under crates of soft drinks.

A raid operation in Abbi town, Ndokwa West LGA, Delta State led to the arrest of a pregnant 30-year-old dealer, Aniekem Evelyn, with 1,161kgs of C/S recovered from her warehouse.

While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Seaports Operations, Ondo, Delta and Kebbi state commands for their hard work and diligence leading to the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) CON, OFR urged them and their compatriots across other formations to intensify their efforts.

Ondomind 

22-year-old suspect kills 'sugar mummy', flees with car

Operatives of the Enugu Police Command in the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department CID Enugu, working with their counterpart in Imo State Command, have arrested one Osuagwu Chidubem (male) at Nekede Owerri, Imo State while attempting to sell a Toyota Corolla car he stole from his older female lover, one Amarachi Chukwu aged 32, after murdering her.The suspect, according to the Enugu Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Daniel Ndukwe, committed the crime on 01/11/2022 at the deceased residence at Meniru, Awkunanaw, Enugu.

”Investigation revealed that the suspect and his cohort at large, had in the morning hours of the mentioned date conspired and went to the house of the victim, attempted to make away with her Toyota Corolla key, which she resisted. And upon her resistance, they tied her hands, legs and mouth with clothes; locked her inside of the house and made away with the car", police said.

The statement added: “Her decomposing remains was, however, found in the said apartment on 04/11/2022, after the door was forced opened by Police Operatives serving in Ikirike Police Division of the Command, following the receipt of a report that an offensive odour was oozing out of the apartment.

“The Operatives evacuated the remains to the hospital, where doctors confirmed her dead and the corpse deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

“The suspect was consequently arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigation and has been remanded in Custodial Centre custody till further hearing of case".

Ondomind

Man Burns his 80-year-old uncle to death over withcraft allegations, buries body in shallow Grave

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested one Haruna Ezekiel for allegedly killing his 80-year-old paternal uncle over witchcraft allegation.Spokesperson of the command, SP Ahmed Wakil, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, December 8, 2022, said the suspect had confronted the deceased, Sunday Saleh, accusing him of initiating his son into witchcraft. 

According to the PPRO, Ezekiel, 35, hit the victim with a stick on the head and dragged the body into his house.

He set the entire house ablaze. As a result, the victim’s body was burnt beyond recognition. The suspect therefore packed the burnt body and buried it in a shallow grave. 

"On the 06th December 2022, Information received by Tafawa Balewa Divisional Police headquarters revealed that on the 05th December 2022 complainant (name withheld) 'm' aged 44yrs of Gongo village while returning from market, he saw flame coming out from the house of one Sunday Saleh (Deceased) ‘m’ aged 80yrs old of the same address," the statement read.

 

"He rushed to the scene to ascertain what was happening. On arrival, he met one Haruna Ezekiel (suspect) ‘m’ aged 35yrs of the same address at the scene and discovered that he killed and burnt the said Sunday Saleh inside the house. He (the suspect) later, dug a shallow grave and buried the body behind the burnt house.

 

"Preliminary investing revealed that the victim is a paternal uncle to the suspect, who alleged to have initiated the suspect’s son “Chomwanda” into witchcraft.

 

"On investigation, it was revealed that the suspect discovered that the victim who is now deceased initiated his son into witchcraft unknowingly.

 

"The suspect was told by his son that the victim gave him a piece of meat to eat some days ago. Later, the victim met the son and told him that the meat he ate was an initiation into witchcraft and that requires his father (the suspect) must be sacrificed in the process.

 

"On hearing this, the suspect was furious and confronted the victim about the matter, as the victim has long been suspected to be notorious for witchcraft.

 

"The victim (Sunday Sale) apologized to the suspect on the matter but the suspect was short-tempered and hit the victim with a stick on the head and fainted unconsciously.

 

"He dragged the victim’s body into his house and set the entire house ablaze. As a result, the victim’s body was burnt beyond recognition.

 

"The suspect, therefore swiftly packed the burnt body and buried it in a shallow grave behind the house.

 

"While reacting to the ugly incident, the Commissioner of Police CP Aminu Alhassan psc (+) frowned at the action of the suspect, who instead of reporting the to Police for proper investigation and prosecution, he took the law into his own hands, by gruesomely murdered the person he was suspecting without any recourse of the law.

Ondomind 

Exclusive: ICPC discovers 20,000 More Ghost Names Infused Into N-Power Scheme Tagged D’banj’s List, Musician To Remain In Detention

Famous Nigerian musician, Oladapo Oyebanji, famously known as D'banj will remain in the detention facility of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over a fresh discovery of 20,000 ghost workers infused into the N-Power Programme, SaharaReporters has gathered.The anti-graft agency detained D’banj on Tuesday over fraud allegations involving the N-Power Programme.

On June 8, 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari launched the programme to address the issues of youth unemployment and empowerment, and also promote social development.

SaharaReporters earlier reported how top government officials introduced over 70,000 ghost workers into the N-Power Programme and fraudulently diverted billions of naira into their pockets.

“70,000 names were infused into N-Power by officials of the Buhari regime in the last four years.

“The fake list costs Nigeria N2.1 billion per year while original N-Power candidates are left unpaid,” a source had told the newspaper.

In June 2021, SaharaReporters reported that 14,000 beneficiaries of the N-Power programme were owed for five months.

N-Power is a youth empowerment scheme sponsored by the Nigerian Government under the Social Investment Program (SIP).

Other programmes under the scheme include Home Grown School Feeding, Tradermoni, Marketmoni and the Conditional Cash Transfer in the 36 states of the country.

SaharaReporters gathered that since the social investment programme of the government was moved to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, the minister, Sadiya Farouq, had been making attempts to stop some of the programmes under the scheme.

Aside from announcing that beneficiaries would be laid off, she had also refused to release funds for the school feeding programme in some states.

A source at the humanitarian ministry on Wednesday night told SaharaReporters that top government officials in President Buhari’s government have been using cronies to siphon funds under the social intervention programmes.

A source had confided in SaharaReporters that ICPC would release D’banj on Wednesday night after failing to successfully link the musician to the fraudulent activities in the N-Power Programme.

“D’banj will be released tonight by the ICPC. The agency is unable to link him concretely with fraudulent activities in N-Power,” a top source in the agency had told SaharaReporters.

However, the source on Thursday said investigators discovered a fresh list containing over 20,000 ghost names, tagged “D’banj’s list.”

He said the names were allegedly used to divert over N600 million monthly for over two years by government officials in connivance with the Nigerian musician.

The source however added that D’banj refuted the allegation and denied any knowledge of the list.

“Like I told you yesterday, D’banj was to be released last night but our (ICPC) Director of OperationS wasn’t available. So, his lawyers were asked to come back today,” he said.

“But our investigators just discovered another 20,000 N-Power list, so he (D’banj) will remain in detention.

“Today when his lawyers arrived for his release, they were told about this fresh list containing 20,000 names. This list was being used to divert N600 million monthly from Nigeria in the last two years by Buhari government officials. The list containing 20,000 names has been bleeding Nigeria N600 million monthly over the last two years.

“It’s named the D-banj’s list. He actually denied the list when he was interrogated by our officials. That’s the reason he wasn’t released as planned.”

Ondomind

Two teenagers sold their organs

Lagos Police Command have commenced investigation into how two teenagers residing at Iyana-Ipaja area sold their organs to a medical doctor in Abeokuta, Ogun State for N200, 000 without the consent of their parents.The teenagers allegedly connived with an adult member of the church and went to a medical doctor at Redwood Specialist Hospital, Abeokuta where their organs were sold for N100, 000 each.

The bubble reportedly bust in September 12, 2022 when one of them started vomiting and she was taken to hospital by her father who thought it was typhoid or malaria and the doctor requested for medical test which later revealed that her anus and private part were damaged.

It was gathered that the sick girl who became unconscious after her health condition was blown open regained consciousness and disclosed to her father that a female member of his church trafficked them to Ogun state where their organs were sold to a medical doctor. The teenagers further alleged that the trafficker convinced them to carry out the illegal act because the one whose father is a Bishop, is not paying them enough money and that she will take them to where they will be handsomely paid N100, 000. They also alleged that the trafficker warned them not to tell their father/parent, that if they do, she will ki*ll them.

Giving details of how the transplant was carried out, the teenagers said that the trafficker, without the consent of their parents took them to Redwood hospital in Abeokuta Ogun State and conspired with the doctor identified as Dr. Durodola and injected them some drugs. They alleged that they were further forcefully taken to a PDF hospital in Surulere, Lagos where they were also coerced and their ovaries/eggs/organs were harvested illegally by the medical Doctor without their consent resulting in severe pains and bleeding.

Based on the startling revelations, the teenagers were taken to another hospital in Surulere, Lagos where they were referred to a medical laboratory test and scan which revealed that their liver, uterus, urinary bladder, kidney, spleen, gall bladder were damaged as result of the procedure.

When contacted, the Bishop father of one of the teenagers, said that when his daughter was taken to the hospital and the test was conducted, her younger ones told him that they knew their sister was sick as she frequented toilet with medical equipment and came out dripping blood.

He said the major suspect, Mrs.Adeleke was staying with her mother in- law in the compound where the church is situated and often attends the church vigil. It was gathered that the other teenager, Favour, stays with the Bishop and he employed her as his secretary in the church with a salary of N20, 000 and his daughter, Precious who is a hairstylist makes Mrs. Adeleke’s hair and gets paid.

 The Bishop who was piqued by the ugly development reported the case at Iyana-Ikpaja police station and they later transferred it to State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Bureau, SCIID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos for further investigation.

However, the case took a different dimension after lawyer to the aggrieved Bishop, Barrister Ikechukwu Chiaha suspected that the police may have compromised over the case based on revelation by his client that the investigators were soliciting for amicable settlement and payment of N300, 000 which he alleged police will take N200,000. Based on this, Barrister Chiaha then transferred the case to National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, which has commenced fresh investigation.

However, in her reaction, the alleged major suspect Mrs Adeleke said, the two girls volunteered to donate their eggs to the hospital after listening to my phone conversation with a doctor and in return, they were compensated with N100, 000, of which Favour gave me N20,000 for introducing them to the hospital.”

When contacted, Lagos state Police spokesman, David Hundeyin said; “It was not organ harvesters, the operation was carried out by a professional doctor and the process was legal. All documents were signed and the girls stated in the document that they were above 18 years. The doctor told them about the consequences of feeling pain for two days after and they accepted and donated their organ. Unfortunately, they did not inform their father about it and the father is requesting for N200m as compensation.”

Ondomind 

Nigerian pop star D’banj arrested, detained for alleged N-power fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC) has arrested and detained Oladapo Oyebanji, more known by his stage name, D’banj. The musician was arrested and detained Tuesday after ICPC operatives closed in on him, forcing him to surrender himself at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, sources familiar with the matter said.

D’banj, insiders said, had dodged summons for weeks, claiming to be overseas for scheduled concerts each time he was invited to appear for interrogation over fraud allegation.

The pop star, a wealthy Nigerian celebrity, is accused of fraudulently diverting hundreds of naira earmarked by the Nigerian government for N-Power project, an empowerment programme set up by the Nigerian government in 2016 to address youth unemployment and increase social development.

Investigators allege that D’banj colluded with some compromised government officials to introduce ghost beneficiaries into the payroll of the scheme. The stipend paid to those beneficiaries are then paid to accounts that have now allegedly been linked to the pop star.

After the musician failed to show up for interrogation despite multiple invitations, the ICPC moved to arrest him anywhere in Nigeria and abroad, forcing him to show up at the commission’s office on Tuesday.

On arrival, D’banj was subjected to a prolonged interrogation session after which he was detained. His plea for administrative bail was rejected by officials who said the musician could not be trusted to attend his trial if released on bail.

Our sources said the ICPC might approach the court on Wednesday for an extended remand order to enable the agency complete its investigation before charging the musician to court.

The spokesperson for the ICPC, Azuka Ogugua, could not be reached to comment for this story. She is said to be attending a programme abroad. Being in detention, the musician too could not be reached for comment

Ondomind