EFCC arraigns man over alleged N700m fraud, Ravenpay 2FA breach

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Osaretin Osagiede before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja over an alleged N700 million fraud involving Best Start Micro Finance Bank.

Osagiede was arraigned on Friday, September 4, 2026, by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 before Justice Olukayode Ogunjobi on a three-count charge bordering on unauthorised access to computer material and receiving stolen property.

The EFCC alleged that Osagiede committed the offences alongside Zacharia Lorshe, who is currently at large.

According to the anti-graft agency, the alleged offences occurred in Lagos between March 2025 and January 2026, when Osagiede and Lorshe allegedly bypassed the two-factor authentication (2FA) system on Ravenpay user accounts to gain unauthorised access to banking data.

The commission alleged that the security measure was deliberately bypassed with the intention of obtaining unauthorised access to the bank’s data.

One of the charges stated that Osagiede and Lorshe allegedly caused the Ravenpay accounts’ 2FA authentication method to be bypassed to secure unauthorised access to the bank’s data.

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The alleged offence was said to contravene Section 387 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

Another count alleged that Osagiede and Lorshe dishonestly received N700 million belonging to Best Start Micro Finance Bank, despite allegedly having reason to believe that the money was stolen.

The alleged offence was said to contravene Sections 411 and 328(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

When the charges were read to him, Osagiede pleaded not guilty.

Following his plea, prosecution counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, urged the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending the hearing of his bail application.

Justice Ogunjobi subsequently ordered that Osagiede be remanded in a correctional facility and adjourned the case until September 16, 2026, for hearing of his bail application.

The latest case centres on allegations of unauthorised access to computer material, the alleged bypassing of Ravenpay’s two-factor authentication system, and the alleged receipt of N700 million belonging to Best Start Micro Finance Bank.

The allegations against Osagiede have not been proven in court. He remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.

EFCC arraigns man over alleged N700m fraud, Ravenpay 2FA breach

Catholic priest leaves priesthood, weds Kenyan woman after 12 years in Kenya

Italian-born former Catholic priest Sandro Ferretto has left the Catholic priesthood and married his Kenyan partner, Sharon Jepng’ok, after spending about 12 years serving as a missionary in Baringo County, Kenya.

Ferretto, 55, married Jepng’ok on September 6, 2026, at Seretion Village in Kasiela, Baringo South, in a traditional Koito wedding ceremony conducted in accordance with Kalenjin customs.

The marriage has attracted significant attention after videos and photographs from the ceremony, including footage of Ferretto dancing with his bride, circulated widely on social media.

Ferretto previously served as a Catholic parish priest in Kasiela and Mochongoi, where he reportedly became closely connected with residents during his years of pastoral and missionary work.

According to reports, the Italian-born cleric arrived in Kenya in 2008 after being ordained for the Diocese of Padua in Italy. He subsequently served under the Diocese of Nyahururu, working in communities across Baringo County.

During his years in Kenya, Ferretto was involved in pastoral activities and community programmes and became a familiar figure among residents, many of whom knew him as Father Sandro.

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It was during his missionary service in Baringo that Ferretto reportedly met Sharon Jepng’ok, a Kenyan woman from the area. Their relationship later developed, eventually leading to his decision to leave active priestly ministry and pursue a different path in his personal life.

Ferretto returned to Italy in December 2020, where he later took up a pastoral assignment in Saletto, Borgo Veneto. By 2023, reports indicated that he had stepped away from his pastoral responsibilities and taken time for personal reflection.

He subsequently returned to Kenya, where he reunited with Jepng’ok and eventually formalised their relationship through marriage.

The couple’s wedding was marked by a Koito ceremony, an important traditional rite among the Kalenjin people that involves family participation, customary negotiations and blessings for the couple.

The ceremony at Seretion Village brought together relatives, friends and members of the local community. Ferretto also participated in the traditional celebrations, with videos from the event showing him dancing alongside his bride.

The wedding has generated discussion because of Ferretto’s previous position as a Catholic priest and the Church’s longstanding discipline regarding priestly celibacy.

In the Latin Catholic tradition, priests are ordinarily required to observe celibacy and are not permitted to marry while remaining in the clerical state. A priest who seeks to leave the clerical state and marry must go through the appropriate Church process.

However, publicly available reports have not provided sufficient details to establish the exact canonical status of Ferretto’s departure from the priesthood or whether the Catholic Church has issued a formal statement regarding his marriage.

Ferretto’s story has nevertheless drawn considerable attention because of his long association with Kenya. After spending more than a decade working as a missionary and parish priest in Baringo, he has now begun a new chapter of his life with Jepng’ok.

The former priest’s transition from missionary service to marriage has sparked widespread interest online, particularly among people familiar with his years of service in the Baringo community.

His wedding also highlights the personal connections that can develop between missionaries and the communities where they spend many years serving, with Ferretto ultimately choosing to celebrate his marriage according to the traditions of the Kenyan community where he had spent a significant part of his life.

Catholic priest leaves priesthood, weds Kenyan woman after 12 years in Kenya

Oyoland Grand Chief Imam Celebrates Dr Sharafudeen Raji for Service to Islam

OYO — The Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland, Fodhilatu Shaykh Bilaal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has honoured renowned Islamic scholar and educationist, Dr Sharafudeen Gbadebo Raji, for his outstanding contributions to Islamic scholarship, teaching, da’wah and the development of Islamic educational institutions.

The Grand Chief Imam described Dr Raji’s years of commitment to the propagation of Islamic knowledge as worthy of recognition, saying his efforts had continued to impact Muslims within and outside Oyo State.

The recognition was announced by the Office of the Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland on Saturday, September 6, 2026, in Oyo State.

Dr Raji, who is the founder and director of Al-Madeenah Islamic Centre and Al-Madeenah Academy, Ogbomoso, has over the years established himself as a prominent voice in Islamic education and da’wah.

The Grand Chief Imam’s office particularly praised his efforts to make Islamic knowledge accessible to Muslims through lectures and educational materials shared on digital and social media platforms.

The scholar was also commended for his approach to explaining complex Islamic jurisprudence and fiqh issues in a manner that ordinary Muslims can understand, often drawing on practical examples and relatable illustrations.

His teachings, according to the statement, consistently emphasise adherence to the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah in matters of faith, worship and everyday conduct.

Dr Raji’s academic credentials were also highlighted during the celebration. He reportedly obtained a First-Class honours degree from the Islamic University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and graduated third in his class globally.

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The achievement, the Office of the Grand Chief Imam said, reflected his dedication to academic excellence and Islamic scholarship.

Beyond his academic accomplishments, Dr Raji was recognised for his ability to communicate Islamic teachings across linguistic and cultural boundaries. His proficiency in Yoruba, Hausa, Arabic and English has enabled him to reach diverse audiences in Nigeria and beyond.

In his congratulatory message, Shaykh Akeugberu described the contribution of Islamic scholars and teachers to the preservation and transmission of beneficial knowledge as invaluable to the Muslim Ummah.

He said public recognition of scholars who dedicate their lives to serving Islam and humanity should be encouraged as a means of appreciating their sacrifices and inspiring younger generations.

The Grand Chief Imam noted that the responsibility of scholars goes beyond acquiring knowledge, stressing the importance of transmitting beneficial knowledge to present and future generations.

The celebration of Dr Raji was therefore presented as a recognition not only of his academic achievements but also of his years of teaching, da’wah and institutional development.

The Grand Chief Imam prayed for Allah’s continued protection and preservation of Dr Raji, asking for good health, strength, increased beneficial knowledge and wisdom.

He further prayed that Allah would keep the scholar firm upon the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah, bless his family, students and institutions, and make his scholarship a lasting source of benefit to generations yet unborn.

The Office of the Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland extended its warm congratulations to Dr Raji, wishing him long life, good health and continued strength in his service to Islam and humanity.

The message ended with prayers for the scholar: “Ameen Ya Rabbal-‘Alamin.”

Oyoland Grand Chief Imam Celebrates Dr Sharafudeen Raji for Service to Islam