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Senior Police Officer accused of running fraud syndicate in Lagos

Published

4 years ago

May 9, 2022

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi

A Lagos State-based businesswoman, Osuji Onyedikanne, has accused an unknown Senior Police Officer of running a fraud syndicate in Lagos State and assisting suspected members of such syndicates to evade justice.

This much was contained in a petitioned addressed to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi.

The CP, who is aware of the incident following the petition, appeared to be helpless as it has become apparent that an unknown Senior Police Officer is calling the shot.

It was alleged that this officer, immediately suspected syndicate members are arrested, would call and the Investigating Police Officers would start running and scampering about in fright and obeisance and before one could say Jack Robison, these members would saunter out of the police station.

In the petition dated April 8, 2022, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Onyedikanne, who runs a travels and tours company, alleged that the unfortunate incident which led going to her going to the police, seeking for justice and closure, started in February 2022.

This was the period when one Mrs. Stephens colluded with others to defraud her in the guise of involving her in her business.

Onyedikanne said that she met Stephens at an event in Lagos in 2019 and they had chatted and had since remained in communication.

In April 2022, Stephens came to her with four men, including a self-proclaimed lawyer, identified simply as Emeka, and lured her into funding a business which she was meant to believe she would be part of.

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They used the name of a dubious company given as Golden Knights Ltd/Golden Knights International Sports Ltd, and claimed that they use the company to recruit upcoming football stars for trial in Spain.

They printed and distributed fliers and made claims of collaborating with the Nasarawa State Government as well as the Embassy of Spain, for which they tendered several documents that made her feel convinced about the genuineness of the business.

They collected from her the initial sum of N6 million and seeing that they had won her confidence, Stephens later came back and collected another sum of N4.5 million in the pretense that she was investing it in another business for her.

The Executive Director of Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Okechukwu Nwanguma, who is fighting for justice for the victim, said: “She informed us that what convinced her to facilitate the last loan of N6million for them was because they showed her a document written in Spanish which they claimed was an MOU they reached and signed with the Consular, Spanish Embassy Lagos. They claimed that the Consular had agreed to be issuing them visas if they register the company in Spain and then fund the account with about €10,000 – €20,000 and leave the money in the account for two weeks as proof of funds.

“After receiving the money, they absconded and were no longer taking her calls. It was then she realised that they were a syndicate of fraudsters which specialise in defrauding innocent citizens in the guise of investments in importation, exportation, and business establishment. She said she later found out that there were other victims who had been defrauded by this same syndicate and who are still making efforts to recover their money but to no avail as they seem to be enjoying the cover of a particular senior police officer who always intervenes to get them released whenever they were arrested by the police. This has emboldened them to continue in their criminal activities. One of the syndicate members, Emeka, who laid doubtful claims to being a lawyer always boasts of being a member of the Buccaneers secret cult and threatened to send his cult member after victims if they pressed too much for refund. This has been the fate of Onyedikanne.”

Nwanguma stated that when the complainant eventually got them, they threatened her life and those of her beloved ones.

Within this period, her aged father was kidnapped and because she was in dire financial straits as a result of the huge losses she had incurred to these fraudsters, she had to borrow to pay the ransom demanded by the kidnappers to free her aged father from captivity.

All this has combined to put her in serious debts and pressure from clients whom she collected money from to procure visas and travel documents for.

Onyedikanne attached all the relevant documents to her petition evidencing the transactions and communications between her and Stephens, including evidences of payments into the two bank accounts provided by Stephens.

CP Alabi was said to have promptly responded to her appeal to use his good offices to ensure that the fraudsters were arrested and brought to book before they executed their threats to eliminate her and her family members.

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The CP approved the petition and directed it to the Special Investigation Bureau to investigate.

The suspects were arrested on April 13, 2022 at about 6:45pm.

But to her chagrin, they were released as soon as she left the police station without any communication to her or any commitment of payment or any investigation.

The police team promise to obtain a search warrant to be executed on the suspects’ residences is yet to be fulfilled.

As soon as they were released, the suspects went to parade themselves in front of the complainant’s office in a show of being untouchable.

Onyedikanne called the two Investigating Police Officers identified as Wale and the other simply called ‘Accountant’ and later also called the team leader, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Dominic Amechi, but none of them picked her calls.

After the Easter holidays, she went to the Command headquarters to inquire what transpired and the IPOs told her that “one Oga called for their release on the grounds that they were to pay N1,000,000, that same day and bring N2,000,000.00 the next four days.”

Nwanguma said: “They placated her and assured her that they were on top of the matter. By the time she went back to the Command four days later, which was on 19th April, the suspects had not dropped any money at all and IPO Dominic was nowhere to be found. She then went to the Officer in charge of Special Investigation Bureau (SIB), a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Mohammed Alkasim, who, after listening to her, ordered that the suspects should be re-arrested and detained since they did not keep to their promise.

“He directed Superintendent of Police (SP), named Justice, to stand in brief for Dominic since he was not around.

“Justice reminded Emeka, the self-acclaimed lawyer and a member of the syndicate that they had promised, in his presence, to pay N2million before their release and up to that date they were yet to bring any money.

“Emeka responded that the money was intact in their account and that it would not take them an hour to bring out the money.

“Justice asked why they did not want to give the woman her money and instead subjecting her to stress. Emeka kept mum.

“Justice then said they were to be detained and Onyedikanne left the command at about 9:45pm. When she called in the morning, to find out if they had brought some money, she was informed that they had been released again, on the intervention of the same faceless ‘Oga’ and that the ‘Oga’ facilitated the suspects’ release at 12am.”

While this was still going on, Onyedikanne said IPOs Dominic and ‘Accountant’ called and asked her to bring Stephens’ passport, which the woman had dropped with her as part of the collateral for the loan.

The police threatened her that if she did not return the passport, she would become an accused in her own case.

Onyedikanne, who was shocked to her bone marrows, asked what they were talking about, to which they responded that it was another order from the same “Oga.”

The human rights activist said: “She asked them ‘what about my N9.5m and my clients’ passports which the same syndicate is holding?’ They said it didn’t matter. She said that because the fraudsters believed they had fully compromised the police, they have refused to bring the six passports of her clients till now, insisting that they would only bring the passports on the condition that she returns Stephen’s passport. She decided to go back to the CP, and after explaining her predicaments, she said the CP was angry but held back his reservations and asked her to go and see the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of Operations, Mohammed Kontagora, which she did.

“Kontagora instructed the O/C SIB to invite the suspects back to the command. Till date, the suspects are yet to show up after three appointments and invitations for them to come even on the orders of the DC Ops.

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“The IPOs would say the suspects changed the date to a convenient date and yet they would not show up at the next date.”

“Onyedinanne said she informed the police that Stephens and her son, Desmond, who is also a member of the syndicate, have been living at Dohela Hotels & Suites, 6, Ijero Street by Kilo Bus Stop, Ikate, Surulere, Lagos since June 2021, without any defined means of livelihood, but they refused to do anything about it, rather they pass all the information to the suspects thereby endangering her life.”

Nwanguma noted that owing to the indication that the investigators at the SIB, Lagos State Police Command might have been compromised by allowing the fraud syndicate suspects to dictate the pace of investigation for asking the complainant to return the prime suspect’s passport which she dropped as part of collateral, while she was still holding six of her clients’ passports, and was yet to pay back the money she fraudulently obtained from her, and with the investigators threatening to “turn the complainant into the accused” if she failed to return the accused person’s passport, Onyedikanne stated that she had lost confidence in the SIB team.

The complainant appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba, to urgently direct the Assistant Inspector General of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Alagbon, Lagos to take over the investigation with a view to ensuring a prompt, impartial and exhaustive investigation, ensuring that these fraudsters pay back her money, release her clients’ passports, and are also fully unraveled to identify other crimes they had perpetrated against other unsuspecting citizens.

EAGLE

Related Topics:Featured fraud syndicate Lagos Senior Police Officer

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Military Arrests Two Suspects, Recovers Weapons After Jos Crisis

Published

3 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Military Arrests Two Suspects, Recovers Weapons After Jos Crisis

The Nigerian Military has arrested two suspects and recovered weapons following a deadly crisis that hit several communities in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State. The arrests were made to prevent further escalation and restore peace and security in the troubled region.

Captain Chinonso Oteh, Media Officer for the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, explained that troops launched a comprehensive stop-and-search operation across the Jos metropolis on Friday. The operation focused on key flashpoints and major transit routes to identify and detain suspects linked to the violence.

During the operation, troops recovered a fabricated AK‑47 rifle, four rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and a pump-action firearm with a cutlass. The arrests and recoveries were conducted in areas including Dadinkowa, Old Airport Junction, Tudun Wada, and the State Low-Cost Housing Estate.

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In a simultaneous development, troops responded to a distress call involving sporadic shooting at the Yelwa Cattle Market in Shendam. Soldiers applied superior tactical pressure, forcing suspected gunmen to retreat into nearby forested areas, preventing further civilian casualties. Two residents who sustained gunshot injuries during the incident were evacuated for immediate medical attention.

The military emphasized that the arrests and weapons recovery are part of ongoing efforts to curb criminal activity and restore lasting peace in Plateau State. Operation Enduring Peace continues to maintain a dominant security presence, particularly in flashpoint areas, and will persist until the threat of violence is fully neutralized.

Plateau State has faced recurrent insecurity in recent years, with conflicts often stemming from disputes between farmers, herders, and armed groups. Security analysts note that operations like these, combined with intelligence-led patrols, are critical in disrupting the activities of armed gangs and safeguarding local communities.

Captain Oteh reiterated the military’s commitment to ensuring stability and protection for residents. He affirmed that troops would continue to engage communities, enforce law and order, and carry out proactive measures to prevent further outbreaks of violence.

The arrests and recovery of illegal weapons have been welcomed by local leaders and residents, who continue to urge authorities to sustain these operations and promote reconciliation among affected communities.

Military Arrests Two Suspects, Recovers Weapons After Jos Crisis

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Wike Clarifies ‘Shoot’ Remark About TV Anchor

Published

15 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Trends Admin

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike

Wike Clarifies ‘Shoot’ Remark About TV Anchor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has moved to quell the controversy trailing his recent remarks about Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television, insisting that his comments were taken out of context and never intended as a threat.

Wike had sparked public outrage after stating during a media engagement that he would have “broken his TV screen and shot” the television anchor over comments suggesting that a one-party system could undermine Nigeria’s democracy. The remark drew swift condemnation from civil society groups, including Amnesty International, which described the statement as “reckless and violent.”

However, in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, the minister said the comment was merely a figure of speech expressed in anger and not a literal threat.

According to the statement, Wike had already clarified his position during the same live television programme where the remark was made, stressing that he had no intention whatsoever of harming Okinbaloye.

“The minister never meant that he would shoot Seun Okinbaloye,” the statement read. “They even spoke on the phone today, and he (Okinbaloye) clearly understood what the minister meant.”

Olayinka explained that Wike’s frustration stemmed from what he perceived as a departure from journalistic neutrality by the anchor, whom he said the minister holds in high regard.

“What the minister meant, which he made clear during the media chat, was that he was displeased seeing Okinbaloye—whom he respects as a journalist—descending into the political arena by speaking as an interested party, rather than maintaining the role of an interviewer,” the statement added.

The aide further described the controversial remark as “hyperbolic,” noting that it was an exaggeration used to emphasise the minister’s displeasure and not an expression of violent intent.

He also pointed out that other journalists present during the interview, including Chamberlain Uzor, reportedly treated the comment lightly, with laughter following Wike’s clarification on air.

“Even after the minister explained himself during the live programme, including stating clearly that he did not mean he would carry a gun to shoot the anchor, the context was well understood by those present,” Olayinka said.

The statement accused critics of deliberately misrepresenting the minister’s words for political purposes, warning against what it described as attempts to weaponise the comment for “blackmail and propaganda.”

“The public is therefore urged to disregard attempts by individuals or groups to twist the minister’s statement out of context in pursuit of political gains,” the statement concluded.

The incident has continued to generate debate within Nigeria’s media and political space, raising broader concerns about the tone of public discourse and the responsibilities of public officials in their engagements with the press.

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Autopsy Confirms Destiny Boy Died from Toxic Substances

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18 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Afrofuji singer Afeez Adesina, popularly known as Destiny Boy

Autopsy Confirms Destiny Boy Died from Toxic Substances

The tragic death of 22-year-old Afrofuji singer Afeez Adesina, popularly known as Destiny Boy, has been clarified following the release of his official autopsy report. The findings confirm that toxic substances, including tramadol and methamphetamine, were present in his system and played a critical role in his untimely passing.

Destiny Boy passed away on January 17, 2026, a loss that sparked intense speculation on social media, with videos circulating showing his body being transported to a mortuary. These clips fueled public concern and rumours about the circumstances of his death. (pmnewsnigeria.com)

According to the Ogun State Police Command, the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) carried out the autopsy. The toxicology report detected dangerous levels of tramadol, its metabolites, and methamphetamine in Destiny Boy’s body. The official cause of death was determined to be aspiration pneumonitis, a severe lung inflammation resulting from the ingestion of these substances. (lindaikejisblog.com)

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DSP Babaseyi Oluseyi, Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed that at least one suspect has been arrested in connection with the singer’s death and that investigations are ongoing. The police emphasized that the case remains under careful examination to determine all contributing factors.

Destiny Boy, who first gained recognition in 2019 for his Fuji rendition of Davido’s “If”, later covered popular tracks by Tekno, 2Baba, 9ice, and Small Doctor. His original songs, including Lamba, One Transaction, Gbese, Billion Dollar, Mio Gbonkankan, and Lowkey, solidified his rising fame in Nigeria’s music industry. He also welcomed his first child with partner Iremide in November 2024.

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