metro
Ex-FCMB manager sentenced to 121-year imprisonment
Ex-FCMB manager sentenced to 121-year imprisonment
Justice S. N. Odili of the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha, Anambra State, has convicted and sentenced a former manager with First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Onitsha branch, Nwachukwu Placidus, to a cumulative 121 years imprisonment.
A statement issued by the anti-graft agency on Saturday said Placidus bagged the jail term for diverting fixed deposit funds of a customer to the tune of N112,100,000 for his personal use.
He was arraigned on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 on 16-count charges bordering on forgery, stealing, obtaining by false pretence and uttering, by the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
One of the counts reads: “Nwachukwu Placidus between February 2009 and November 2014 in Onitsha, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of the Anambra State High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud obtained the sum of (N112,100,000) One Hundred and Twelve Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira only, from Idemili Microfinance Bank under the false pretence that you have placed the said money in a fixed deposit account with First City Monument Bank PLC for it, which pretence you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence”.
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He pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him, thus setting the stage for his trial.
In the course of trial, the EFCC, through its counsel, Mainforce Ekwu presented four witnesses and tendered several relevant documents which were admitted in evidence.
In his judgment, Justice Odili held that “the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt” and sentenced the convict to nine years imprisonment on count 3, 4 years on count 4 and 9 years on counts 5 to 16 respectively. He was discharged on counts 1 and 2. The sentences shall run concurrently.
The court further ordered the convict to restitute the said sum to his victim, Idemili Microfinance Bank.
Placidus ’journey to the Correctional Centre began when a petitioner , Idemili Microfinance Bank LTD, alleged that the sum of N112, 100, 000 was handed over to him as the branch manager of FCMB in Onitsha, for fixed deposit. However, when the petitioner approached the bank to terminate and withdraw the deposit, the bank denied receiving the said funds.
Upon receipt of the petition, the EFCC swung into action and investigations revealed that the convict diverted the money for his own use and issued a fake fixed Deposit Certificate to the petitioner.
Ex-FCMB manager sentenced to 121-year imprisonment
metro
Police rescue 16 ladies from new kidnapping trend in Lagos
Police rescue 16 ladies from new kidnapping trend in Lagos
The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a new trend of kidnapping, they call ‘Constructive Kidnapping’, where unsuspecting ladies are lured by kidnappers posing as internet friends and lovers.
This sinister scheme has already ensnared 16 ladies from various parts of the state, who were fortunate to be rescued by the police command, the command revealed.
In another shocking case, a 15-year-old girl was rescued after allegedly conspiring with her boyfriend to demand ransom from her parents, pretending that she had been kidnapped.
For the ‘Constructive kidnapping, the kidnappers’ modus oparandi according to the Commissioner of Police Lagos State Police Command, CP Olawale Ishola, who briefed journalists weekend, on the command’s breakthrough between September 2024 and January 2025, was as cunning as it was ruthless.
The kidnappers as gathered, begin by tagging their potential victims as friends on social media platforms, establishing a false sense of acquaintance. Once the victim’s guard is lowered, the kidnappers invite them to Lagos, often under the guise of a romantic rendezvous.
These kidnappers according to the command would send substantial amounts of money, up to N500,000, to their victims, as well as cover their flight expenses to Lagos.
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Upon arrival, the unsuspecting victims are taken to five-star hotels, where their phones are seized, and money transferred out. The kidnappers then contact the victim’s relatives, demanding ransom and threatening to them if their demands are not met.
According to the CP, ” It is Constructive kidnapping because you have a scenario where a lady is lured from her safe space to Lagos by a group of boys or a single individual. They make it enticing by sending a business-class flight ticket, N500,000, and booking a luxurious five-star hotel. The victim feels like they’ve ‘arrived,’ unaware that it’s all a ruse.
” I’ve rescued at least 16 ladies from this trap. As soon as they arrive, the kidnappers mess the ladies up, seize their phones, transfer their money, and contact their relatives to demand more ransom, threatening to kill the victim if their demands aren’t met. It’s termed ‘constructive’ because the victims unwittingly walk into the trap set for them. However, we’re always one step ahead.”
He, therefore, warned members of the public, especially ladies to be cautious when interacting with strangers online, advising members of the public to say something when they see something.
Police rescue 16 ladies from new kidnapping trend in Lagos
metro
Woman who threatens to demolish ex-husband’s house says she built it
Woman who threatens to demolish ex-husband’s house says she built it
A Kenyan businesswoman, Purity Wambui Maitu, a mitumba trader at Gikomba, has shared her her struggles with ex-husband, Ambrose Mutembei, accusing him of exploiting her efforts and neglecting their family.
According to a post by a Kenyan publication, Wambui revealed that she paid her own dowry of Ksh 40,000 and single-handedly built a property in Mwihoko, consisting of a main house and six rental units, using proceeds from her mitumba business.
Despite her sacrifices, she claims Mutembei has been collecting rent from the property for the past three years without contributing to the upkeep of their three children.
“I built the house entirely on my own and even paid my bride price out of love. Yet, he now collects rent from the house and the units while I struggle to raise our children alone,” she lamented.
The situation escalated after Wambui discovered Mutembei had rented out the main house without her consent.
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Frustrated by his refusal to provide support, she has vowed to take drastic action.
“If I can’t get justice, then we’ll both lose. I’ll demolish the house if I have to,” she said.
The couple’s relationship, which Wambui describes as informal with no legal backing, ended bitterly after years of what she calls unreciprocated love and effort.
She has since built two more homes — a luxurious property in Nairobi and another in Ruiri, Meru.
This afternoon, Mutembei reported Wambui to Mwihoko Police Post, accusing her of taking photos of “his house.”
However, Wambui insists the property belongs to her, as she purchased the land and financed the construction herself.
The dispute highlights the challenges of informal relationships and shared property, with Wambui’s story drawing widespread attention and sparking conversations about justice and fairness in such situations.
Woman who threatens to demolish ex-husband’s house says she built it
metro
Four airlines get FG approval for 2025 hajj operation
Four airlines get FG approval for 2025 hajj operation
The Federal Government has approved four airlines as official air carriers to transport intending pilgrims for the 2025 hajj in Saudi Arabia.
Executive Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman, made this known in a statement by the commission’s Assistant Director, Information and Publication, Mrs Fatima Usara, on Sunday.
Usman explained that the four airlines were selected out of the 11 companies that submitted applications.
He gave the four approved airlines as Air Peace, Fly-Nas, a Saudi Arabia designated airline, Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Ltd.
The NAHCON boss stated that the airlines were screened and shortlisted by a team of 32 members inaugurated by the NAHCON on November 26, 2024.
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He said that the composition of the Aviation Screening Committee included representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, three members from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and one member each from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
He also said that some members of the committee were drawn from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
Similarly, Prof. Usman said that one member each was drawn from Nigerian Customs’ Service (NCS) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
Others, he listed, were NAHCON Board members representing each geo-political zone of the country, NAHCON Heads of Aviation, Procurement, Legal, Internal Audit, Special Duties as well as Board Member representing the Aviation industry.
The NAHCON boss also disclosed that three excess cargo carriers were selected for the hajj operations.
He named them to include; Aglow Aviation Support Services Ltd, Cargozeal Technology Ltd and Qualla Investment Ltd.,
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