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Ex-Rep member, 3 Sterling bank officials convicted of N212m fraud

Published

11 months ago

June 17, 2023

Mansur Ali Mashi, a former member of the House of Representatives representing the Mashi Dutsi federal constituency of Katsina State, has been convicted of N212 million fraud.

The former lawmaker was convicted alongside three Sterling Bank officials who aided the fraud.

Justice Sale Musa Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, on Thursday, convicted Manshi on eight counts, including conspiracy and obtaining by false pretences.

Mashi was also alleged to have sold properties taken from him by the court through an interim forfeiture order.

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While the court reserved judgment on the ex-lawmaker, each of the three bank officials was sentenced to five years in prison.

The news of the conviction was shared in a release by the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on Thursday evening.

According to the release, the convicted lawmaker was prosecuted by the EFCC for using fictitious companies to obtain a N212,439,552 loan from Sterling Bank.

“Upon arraignment, the defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them, and the case proceeded to trial. In the course of the trial, the matter suffered several setbacks due to the elevation or retirement of the trial judges. But the prosecution called six witnesses and tendered several exhibits to prove the case against the defendants,” the EFCC said.

“The 2nd defendant Abdulmumin Mustapha who is the former branch manager of Sterling Bank was convicted on counts 1 to 15 and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on each count without option of fine. The court further ordered the 2nd defendant to restitute Sterling Bank in the sum of N40,000,000 (Forty Million Naira).”

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Health worker stabbed to death in Minna

Published

18 mins ago

May 20, 2024

Trends Admin

Health worker stabbed to death in Minna

A 35-year-old health worker identified as Umar Mohammed was stabbed to death by hoodlums in Gbeganu area of Minna, Niger State capital.

Sources said the deceased, a staff of a private clinic in Minna, was returning home after attending to a patient when he ran into hoodlums fighting with dangerous weapons.

The fight was said to have broken out between hoodlums at a wedding reception in Gbeganu, during which some people were injured.

Residents said activities of hoodlums have led to disruption of peace in Minna, the state capital, in recent times.

They said areas usually affected include Kpakungu, Maitumbi, Fadikpe, Gbeganu, Soje, Obgomosho, Unguwan-Daji, Limawa, Barikin-Sale, Kwangila, among others.

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The spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident to the Daily trust.

“On 17/5/2024 at about 2200hrs, it was reported at Kpakungu Div that there was a wedding ceremony at Gbeganu area, while some miscreants from the Area reportedly led by one Ukasha and others armed with dangerous weapons attacked a victim named Umar Mohammed 35yrs,” the PPRO said.

“The victim was inflicted with serious injury on the head, and he was rushed to Gen Hospital Minna, where he later gave up the ghost and was confirmed dead by the doctor.”

Abiodun said two suspects had been arrested, adding that effort was ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Health worker stabbed to death in Minna

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Gunmen invade Ebonyi village, behead 2, kidnap 7, raze houses

Published

39 mins ago

May 20, 2024

Trends Admin

Ebonyi State Police Spokesperson, Ukandu Joshua

Gunmen invade Ebonyi village, behead 2, kidnap 7, raze houses

Residents of Effium in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State were enveloped by trepidation and anguish over the weekend after a deadly attack on the enclave.

A clutch of rampaging warlords were said to have attacked the locality on Saturday leaving deaths and destruction in their wake.

At least two persons were grisly murdered and properties worth millions of naira destroyed as the suspected warlords unleashed terror on Ikachi village in the Akparata area of the local government.

It was learned that the two killed were beheaded while seven persons were kidnapped and five houses burnt down.

The President-General of Effiulm Community, Dr James Agena, confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday.

According to the statement, the attackers, suspected to be Ezza warriors, struck the village early morning of yesterday, killing two persons and kidnapping seven persons.

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The statement read: “I write to put you on notice that this morning at 3 am (alleged) Ezza warriors attacked Ikachi village in Akparata area of Effium resulting in the killing and beheading of two men, seven Effium natives were abducted (five women and two men), a total of 12 people sustained gunshot wounds while five houses were burnt down.

“The deceased are Obinna Aje, 19 years and Ogenyi Abowu, 78 years.

“This latest attack is in addition to (alleged), Ezza warriors attack on Effium urban last Sunday, May 12, 2024, where one Mrs. Cecelia Omah was killed and her head severed.

“This is an attack too many on the peace-loving people of Effium. I call on the government of Ebonyi State and the security agencies to promptly arrest and prosecute all those involved in the genocidal act.

“This is equally coming on the heels of an invitation by the new peace committee on May 21, 2024, for the reading of the government White Paper on Effium crisis to the two warring factions.”

It will be recalled that the crises which started in 2021, have claimed many lives, many displaced and property worth billions of naira destroyed.

Confirming the attack, Police spokesperson, Ukandu Joshua, said the command was aware of the attack and had launched investigation into the matter.

Gunmen invade Ebonyi village, behead 2, kidnap 7, raze houses

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Mother locks up her two toddlers in Lagos apartment daily, disappears

Published

51 mins ago

May 20, 2024

Trends Admin

Mother locks up her two toddlers in Lagos apartment daily, disappears

The Lagos State Police Command has rescued two infants who were locked up in an apartment on Adelakun Street, in the Iju Ishaga area of Lagos State.

The toddlers, PUNCH Metro gathered, were found in a state of neglect when the rescue operation took place.

A rights group, Advocate for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network, alleged that the mother of the infants had been grappling with substance abuse.

The Chief Operating Officer of the group, Ebenezer Omejalile, who disclosed this to our correspondent on Sunday, said the residents in the area alerted the group to the development.

He said, “According to the informants, the mother, purportedly struggling with substance abuse issues, would lock her children inside their apartment and remain absent for the entirety of the day.

“These two minors were left to fend for themselves. They eat, defecate, sleep and wake up locked up in the room yet nothing was being done. The DPO of the Red House Police Station was duly informed about it and the infants were rescued.”

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In a video watched by our correspondent, one of the infants could be seen crying in the locked-up apartment. In a separate video, the children were seen eating after the rescue operation.

Meanwhile, Omejalile said it was the second time the police would rescue the toddlers in such a situation.

According to him, the rescue operation was carried out by the former Divisional Police Officer but the children were returned to their mother after being placed under the care of government authorities.

He said, “The incident was initially reported at the same police station several months ago. The then DPO promptly responded to the distress call and rescued the babies from their mother’s custody.

“Shockingly, despite the initial intervention by law enforcement, it has come to light that the children were subsequently returned to their mother’s care. This decision has left many baffled, including the former DPO who ensured the babies were placed under the care of government agencies.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development.

He said, “The children were rescued. They are now in safe hands.”