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Senior Police Officer accused of running fraud syndicate in Lagos

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4 years ago

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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.

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Igboho Launches Iru Ekun Security Network in Kwara, Vows to Reclaim Forests from Bandits

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July 24, 2026

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Igboho Launches Iru Ekun Security Network in Kwara, Vows to Reclaim Forests from Bandits

Igboho Launches Iru Ekun Security Network in Kwara, Vows to Reclaim Forests from Bandits

Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, officially launched the Iru Ekun Security Network in Kwara State on Thursday, declaring that the outfit would flush bandits out of the state’s forests and prevent criminal groups from using the areas as safe havens.

The inauguration ceremony, held at Igbomina House in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, marked a significant step in Igboho’s efforts to establish a regional security framework to complement the work of conventional security agencies.

Speaking at the launch, Igboho announced that the Iru Ekun Security Network would immediately commence operations in Babanla, a community he described as a “stronghold of bandits,” and later return to Eruku, which the group had passed through on its way from Kogi State. “The presence of the Iru Ekun Security Network in Kwara has already unsettled the criminals. We are heading to Babanla, which many people now describe as a stronghold of bandits,” Igboho declared. “We also passed through Eruku on our way from Kogi State, and we will return there. This is our ancestral land, and no criminal can force us to abandon it. Those hiding in our forests cannot intimidate us into surrendering our communities,” he added.

The activist stressed that the security outfit was established not to replace the Nigeria Police Force, military, or other security agencies but to strengthen ongoing efforts to restore peace across the state. “Our mission in Kwara is to complement the efforts of the government and security agencies. While local communities can contribute to protecting themselves, that alone is not enough. We must work hand in hand with the police, the military and other security agencies. If we unite, we can drastically reduce kidnapping, banditry and every other form of terrorism in our society,” he said.

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Igboho alleged that the activities of bandits and kidnappers had persisted largely because of information and support provided by local collaborators within communities, and he urged residents, particularly young people, to assist in exposing criminal elements. “Bandits are not spirits. They have continued to operate because some people within our communities provide them with information and support. It is time for us to hold ourselves accountable. Our youths must rise to defend their communities because, with unity and cooperation, we can confront these criminals,” he said. He issued a stern warning to those involved in aiding criminal groups: “If you know you are involved in activities that encourage banditry or threaten the peace of our state, this is the time to stop or leave. Anyone found participating in such crimes will face the consequences.”

The activist firmly dismissed claims that the Iru Ekun Security Network was established to target Fulani people, insisting that its operations are directed solely at criminals irrespective of their ethnic background. “Some people have been spreading the false narrative that Sunday Igboho has come to Kwara to fight the Fulani. That is completely untrue. We have no problem with innocent Fulani people or any other ethnic group. Our fight is against criminals, regardless of where they come from. We are all Nigerians,” he stated. He advised residents not to take the law into their own hands but to report suspected criminals to the police, adding: “If you suspect anyone of aiding bandits and the person is unarmed, hand the suspect over to the police. Do not take the law into your own hands. However, anyone carrying sophisticated weapons in our forests or attempting to invade our communities poses an immediate threat to innocent lives and must be stopped before carrying out any attack.”

Igboho commended the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, for what he described as his professionalism and willingness to collaborate with local security initiatives, recalling a previous operation around the Oyo-Kwara boundary where police personnel were deployed to support rescue efforts. “The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, is a hardworking and dedicated officer. During one of our rescue operations, we combed the forests linking Oyo and Kwara states. When we crossed into the Kwara axis, I informed him of our movement, and he immediately deployed police personnel to support us on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police,” Igboho said. He also dismissed reports that Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had opposed his visit to the state, saying he believed the governor shared the concerns of residents over the worsening security situation. This followed earlier allegations from his aide that the governor, being Fulani, had stopped the visit. “I should have arrived in Ilorin much earlier, but there were rumours that the governor did not approve of my visit. I found that difficult to believe because I know Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq would not make such a decision. I also believe he is deeply concerned about the persistent killings and kidnappings in Kwara. If that were not the case, he would not have deployed security agencies to protect the people,” he said.

The activist attributed the establishment of the Iru Ekun Security Network to President Bola Tinubu and offered prayers for the President’s continued good health and successful tenure. “All the praise being showered on the Iru Ekun Security Network belongs to President Bola Tinubu. May God grant him good health and the grace to successfully complete his eight years in office,” he said. Igboho added that members of the outfit had been directed to operate in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other recognised security agencies while carrying out their activities in Kwara State.

The inauguration comes amid heightened insecurity in parts of Kwara South Senatorial District, where recurring attacks by armed groups have displaced residents and forced some traditional rulers to abandon their communities. The launch followed days of controversy over Igboho’s planned visit after reports claimed the Kwara State Government had barred him from entering the state. Despite the speculation, the event went ahead in Ilorin, with Igboho reaffirming that the Iru Ekun Security Network would collaborate with existing security agencies in efforts to tackle insecurity across the state. The launch also comes amid growing concerns among Fulani residents in the South-West, who have expressed fear over the profiling of their community in connection with criminal activities, while security experts have called for proper regulation of non-state security outfits to prevent ethnic witch-hunts and ensure accountability.

Igboho Launches Iru Ekun Security Network in Kwara, Vows to Reclaim Forests from Bandits

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Trackers, Profiling as FG Unveils Special Guards to Secure Coastal Highway

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4 hours ago

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July 24, 2026

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Trackers, Profiling as FG Unveils Special Guards to Secure Coastal Highway

By Dada Jackson

The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to safeguard the multi-billion-naira Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from vandalism by profiling all 40 newly inaugurated Coastal Road Guards, documenting their guarantors and installing tracking devices on their patrol motorcycles to ensure they are used strictly for official duties.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr. Olufemi Dare, disclosed this on Thursday during the inauguration of the specially trained guards, saying the initiative was designed to provide round-the-clock surveillance and protect the strategic highway from criminal activities and infrastructure vandalism.

According to Dare, the decision followed repeated cases of vandalism along the highway, where newly installed manhole covers, directional signs and other road facilities were stolen or damaged shortly after installation, even after being replaced.

He said the persistent destruction of public infrastructure made it imperative for the Ministry of Works to establish a dedicated security outfit focused solely on protecting the highway and preserving the huge investment committed to the project.

Dare explained that the 40 guards underwent specialised training conducted by the Nigeria Police Force and were equipped with motorcycles, helmets, walkie-talkies, flashlights and other operational tools to enhance their efficiency on patrol.

He stressed that every member of the team had been properly profiled, with guarantors documented, while trackers had been fitted to their motorcycles to ensure accountability and prevent misuse of government property.

The controller urged the guards to discharge their responsibilities with discipline, professionalism and integrity, warning that any misconduct would attract appropriate sanctions.

He outlined their responsibilities to include preventing the use of motorcycles and tricycles on the highway, stopping indiscriminate parking of trailers and trucks, checking illegal U-turns, curbing vandalism of road facilities, preventing illegal grazing, street trading, unlawful occupation of the highway corridor and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

“The guards are expected to monitor the highway day and night, arrest offenders where necessary and hand them over to the appropriate security agencies,” Dare said.

He also commended the supervisors, administrative officers and guards for their dedication throughout the training programme and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Speaking on behalf of the team, the Deputy Team Lead of the Coastal Road Guards, Mr. Kelvin Okereke, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Omahi, for creating the initiative, describing it as a valuable source of employment and empowerment for many Nigerians.

Okereke noted that beyond opening up economic opportunities through the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the project had also reinforced the need for Nigerians to protect critical national infrastructure.

He appealed to members of the public to regard the protection of government assets as a shared civic responsibility.

Also speaking, the Chief Security Officer of the Coastal Road Guards, Mr. Paul Mbam, said the initiative had not only provided him with gainful employment but also equipped him with valuable security training and operational skills that would enhance his effectiveness on the job.

The Administrative Officer of the Coastal Road Guards, Mr. Augustine Usumero, assured that the team would maintain proper operational records, ensure prudent management of government assets entrusted to it and work closely with relevant authorities to achieve the programme’s objectives.

He expressed confidence that the initiative would deliver the desired results, noting that the guards had already demonstrated a high level of commitment during their training and preliminary assessments.

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68 Lawyers Elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria Rank in 2026 Exercise (Full List)

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14 hours ago

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July 23, 2026

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68 Lawyers Elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria Rank in 2026 Exercise (Full List)

68 Lawyers Elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria Rank in 2026 Exercise (Full List)

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee approves 67 advocates and one academic for Nigeria’s highest professional honour following its 174th plenary session in Abuja.

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on 68 legal practitioners following the conclusion of its 2026 selection exercise. The approvals were granted at the LPPC’s 174th plenary session held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Abuja under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. According to the list released by the committee, the successful candidates comprise 67 advocates and one academic, Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri. The swearing-in ceremony for the new SANs is scheduled to take place on Monday, October 12, 2026.

In a statement signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Akanbi, the committee described the SAN rank as the highest professional distinction available to legal practitioners in Nigeria. The honour is reserved for lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional excellence in courtroom advocacy or made outstanding contributions to legal scholarship. The LPPC said all successful applicants must participate in and successfully complete the mandatory Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme. The committee said the programme will be organised in line with directives of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), adding that attendance and successful completion are mandatory conditions for the formal conferment of the rank. The date for the induction programme will be communicated in due course.

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The committee reminded the successful candidates that they are prohibited from publishing or encouraging the publication of congratulatory advertisements, goodwill messages or notices in connection with their nomination or conferment. The restriction is in line with Paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023. The LPPC warned that any breach of the provisions could attract sanctions under the relevant professional and ethical rules. “Any breach of these provisions may attract sanctions for violations of statutory or ethical rules, as expressly stated,” the committee said.

The following legal practitioners were elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria:

  1. Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu

  2. Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor

  3. Godwill Achibong Umoh

  4. Sunday Samuel Obende

  5. Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe

  6. Jimson Ejovi Okodaso

  7. Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John

  8. Olaotan Thomas Olusegun

  9. Philemon Audu Daffi

  10. Adenrele David Adegborioye

  11. James Eromosele Agbonhese

  12. Alexander Nduka Muoka

  13. Onome Okodiya

  14. Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye

  15. Ikhide Ehighelua

  16. Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe

  17. Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun

  18. Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi

  19. Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed

  20. Odion Peter Odia

  21. Gbemiga Adaramola

  22. Moses Okoh Onyilokwu

  23. Charles Azubuike Obodozie

  24. Hakeem Obafemi Agaba

  25. Bimbo Felix Atilola

  26. Okechukwu Steve Emelieze

  27. Joshua Demilade Olaniyan

  28. Igonikon Abiola Adekunle

  29. Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie

  30. Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno

  31. Sarafa Kolawole Idowu

  32. Olujoke Enitan Alwus

  33. Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie

  34. Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi

  35. Faruk Abdullah

  36. Sagir Gezawa Suleiman

  37. Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko

  38. Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe

  39. Sabiu Gumba Adamu

  40. Eric Keme Egolukumor Omare

  41. Soibi Ideriah Ovia

  42. Somina Peter Johnbull

  43. Chinedum Ikenna Umeche

  44. Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe

  45. Mohammed El Hassan Sheriff

  46. Junaidu Bello Marshall

  47. Olawale Sunday Fapohunda

  48. Adebiyi Alaba Adetosoye

  49. Senior Sulyman Ibrahim

  50. Agba Eimunjeze

  51. Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande

  52. Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi

  53. Olamide Mojigbotoluwa Adekunle

  54. Umaru Yunusa

  55. Akorede Habeeb Lawal

  56. Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba

  57. Nnaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu

  58. Kayode Orire Omosehin

  59. Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala

  60. Bolu Agbaje Akadri

  61. Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao

  62. Olugbenga Olusanya Ajala

  63. Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja

  64. Afees Hassan Adebayo

  65. Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun

  66. Jonathan Akintola Makinde

  67. Olajide Salami

  68. Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri (Academic)

68 Lawyers Elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria Rank in 2026 Exercise (Full List)

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