EFCC arraigns two for alleged $268,000.00 fraud – Newstrends
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EFCC arraigns two for alleged $268,000.00 fraud

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2 years ago

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Joseph Uduaghan and Precious Ojo

EFCC arraigns two for alleged $268,000.00 fraud

The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday July 5, 2023 arraigned Precious Ojo and Joseph Uduaghan before Justice F. A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State. Ojo and Uduaghan were arraigned on 10 and three count charges respectively for offences bordering on fraudulent impersonation, obtaining by false pretence and money laundering. Ojo, aka obago, allegedly impersonated one Peter Gabriel, an American medical doctor purportedly working in Syria to defraud his unsuspecting victim, Agata Harasimowicz, an American lady, of the aggregate sum $268,0000 (Two Hundred and Sixty-eight Thousand America Dollars. Uduaghan on his part is alleged to have received the aggregate sum of N170 million from Ojo which he used in the construction of a hotel. One of the charges reads:

“That you, Precious Ojo (m) sometime between July 2021 and April, 2022 in Delta State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud sent electronic messages which materially misrepresent your identity to Agata Harasimowicz, an American lady upon which she relied and suffered financial loss in the aggregate sum of $268,000.00 (Two Hundred and Sixty-eight Thousand United States Dollars) worth of Bitcoin and Gift Cards and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(2) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition prevention etc) Act 2015”.

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One of the charges against Uduaghan reads: “that you, Joseph Uduaghan (m) sometime between March and December, 2022 in Delta State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did directly use the aggregate sum of N170,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Seventy Million Naira) to build a hotel known as Obago Continental Hotel and Suites, lying and situate at Western Delta Road, Ogharefe Area of Delta State which funds you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of unlawful act of Precious Ojo to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended) and punishable under Section 15(3)of the same Act”.

Upon arraignment the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo to pray the court to fix a date for trial. However the defence counsel, Pascal Ugbome informed the court that he has filed a bail application for his clients and pleaded with the court to grant them bail. He argued that the alleged offences were bailabĺe and that the defendants will be available to face their trial. The prosecution counsel opposed the application on the ground that the defendants are flight risk and could jump bail..

However, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to release the defendants to him pending the ruling on the bail. application The judge ordered that the defendants be released to the defence counsel who is expected to produce a letter from his NBA branch chairman attesting to the fact that he is a known member of the branch and that he has paid his practicing fee to date. He is to also undertake in writing that he will produce the defendants anytime they are needed in court and shall be liable to the consequence of a surety in the circumstance of a breach.

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Outrage over video of police officers collecting cash from Chinese man

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12 hours ago

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April 16, 2025

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Outrage over video of police officers collecting cash from Chinese man

A video currently making the rounds on social media has triggered widespread criticism and public outrage, after it showed several Nigerian police officers allegedly receiving N5,000 each from a Chinese man and his family.

In the viral footage, the uniformed officers are seen lining up in an orderly fashion as the Chinese man distributes cash to each of them.

The incident has stirred heated reactions online, with many Nigerians calling it a blatant display of unprofessionalism and a disgrace to the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.

Human rights activists and anti-corruption advocates have condemned the act, describing it as unethical and damaging to the already fragile reputation of law enforcement in the country.

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When contacted by Vanguard, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said he was unaware of the viral video or the incident.

Similarly, the Lagos State Police Command distanced itself from the footage. Its spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, clarified that the incident did not occur in Lagos, contrary to claims circulating online.

Public figures have also weighed in. Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), described the video as “shameful” and called for the removal of the IGP.

“This is why I keep saying illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun must leave the police force. It is the shame of the nation,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Popular social commentator and human rights activist Martins Victor Otse, also known as VeryDarkBlackMan, called the act “disgraceful, disrespectful, and degrading,” urging the police leadership to address the matter transparently.

The incident has intensified calls for accountability, with many Nigerians demanding disciplinary action and systemic reforms to restore public confidence in the police force.

 

Outrage over video of police officers collecting cash from Chinese man

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Nigerians lose N1.3tn as ponzi scheme CBEX collapses

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13 hours ago

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April 16, 2025

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Nigerians lose N1.3tn as ponzi scheme CBEX collapses

Thousands of Nigerians face financial ruin after the collapse of CBEX, a digital investment platform accused of running a Ponzi scheme that allegedly vanished with over ₦1.3 trillion ($850 million USD). The fallout has sparked widespread distress, with victims sharing devastating stories on social media.

One investor, quoted in a transcribed audio obtained by Daily Sun, described being lured by a friend’s promise of a 100% return on a $100 Bitcoin investment within 35-40 days. Initially wary due to past scams, she was reassured after visiting CBEX’s Egbeda office, where a supposed EFCC certificate suggested legitimacy. “I visited the office only to see even a kind of a certificate from EFCC that they are aware of these people, that they are not scammers and the rest of them. So that convinced me into investing $100,” she said.

Despite her caution, limiting her investment to $100, her funds vanished when withdrawals were halted. “As my investment matured last week Monday, I planned to withdraw it this week. Only for us to wake up yesterday, 14th of April, around 5 p.m., all the money in our account has vanished,” she recounted. Other reports cite losses of up to ₦3 million, with one man allegedly writing a suicide note after investing his home and borrowed funds. The audio claimed, “About three people have been reported dead. So many attempted suicide because of this Ponzi scheme.”

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The scale of the alleged fraud has raised questions about regulatory oversight. The anonymous victim asked, “The question now is to the authorities, where are they, when Nigerians are injecting this kind of money in this kind of investment?” CBEX’s offices in Egbeda and Ikeja added a veneer of credibility.

Financial experts noted the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has long warned against Ponzi schemes promising unrealistic returns. A Lagos-based forex broker, @Obobanj, tweeted, “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has long warned citizens about the dangers of Ponzi schemes, cautioning against investments that promise unrealistic returns. Despite this, platforms like CBEX continue to attract large followings, often collapsing without warning and leaving chaos in their wake.”

Social media reactions on X range from sympathy to criticism. “Nigerians don’t learn,” tweeted @ricky_chiekezie, reflecting frustration over repeated scams. The victim’s despair was palpable: “God, oh, God, oh, what have I done to deserve this? Huh? What have I gotten myself into? God, please help me. Hey, whoa. CBEX has finally killed me, oh.”

As victims reel, calls grow for authorities to investigate CBEX and hold perpetrators accountable. The forex broker emphasized, “The collapse serves as a reminder of the critical need for financial literacy and vigilance in the face of seemingly lucrative investment opportunities.”

Nigerians lose N1.3tn as ponzi scheme CBEX collapses

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Stop promoting risky coins, unlicensed platforms, SEC warns influencers

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13 hours ago

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April 16, 2025

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Stop promoting risky coins, unlicensed platforms, SEC warns influencers

Following the sudden collapse of CBEX crypto trading platform, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned celebrities and influencers against endorsing or promoting unregistered digital asset platforms and meme coins.

After users lost access to their funds in CBEX, aggrieved ‘investors’ looted the office of Smart Treasure (ST Team), an arm of the cypto trading platform in Ibadan.

It is against this background that Emomotimi Agama, Director-General (DG) of SEC, spoke against the promotion of unregistered digital asset platforms and meme coins by influencers.

Citing the provisions of the Investments and Securities Act 2025 recently signed by President Bola Tinubu, Agama said the act established clear rules and regulations for digital asset platforms, including registration requirements to promote transparency and trust.

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According to him, this allows SEC to crack down on illicit activities, such as ponzi schemes, pump and dump tokens, and unregistered exchanges.

He said, “It is important that even for celebrities, we must be cautious around what we do. Becoming influencers or introducing meme coins that do not mean well for the generality of Nigerians are not going to be tolerated.

“The ISA 2025 is intended to promote FinTech growth and innovation, specifically within the Digital Asset space, while ensuring regulatory compliance.

“However, I want to say this very clearly. If it is not registered, it is illegal. The law will be enforced.”

Stop promoting risky coins, unlicensed platforms, SEC warns influencers

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