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Internet fraud: International ‘catcher’ , accomplice jailed 16 years in Lagos

Published

1 year ago

October 13, 2023

Internet fraud: International ‘catcher’ , accomplice jailed 16 years in Lagos

Justice I.O. Ijelu of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos has convicted and sentenced one Anana Emeka to 16 years imprisonment for computer-related fraud.

A statement issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, said Emeka was arrested at his residence on 567, Road 21, Mayfair Garden Estate, Awoyaya, Lagos State, following investigations into the alleged criminal activities of one Osondu Igwilo, an alleged leader of a criminal network “catcher”, who had been on the watch list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, since 2018 until his arrest by operatives of the EFCC on Thursday, March 11, 2022.

“The convict was first arraigned on three-count charges on June 7, 2022 and subsequently re-arraigned, on December 28, 2022, on eight-count amended charges bordering on possession of fraudulent documents, forgery, giving of false information and impersonation.

“Count one reads: ‘Ajana Kenneth Emeka, sometime in 2022 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession fraudulent documents titled ‘THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY’ in the name of ‘HANY A.O. SALMAN HALIMA’ which representation was printed from your phone, representation you knew or ought to have known to be fraudulent.”

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” Count two reads: ‘Ajana Kenneth Emeka, sometime in 2022 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession fraudulent documents wherein you falsely represented yourself as ‘Christopher Dods Named’ to unsuspecting members of the public, which representation was printed from your phone, representation you knew or ought to have known to be fraudulent.”

” Count three reads: ‘Ajana Kenneth Emeka, sometime in 2018 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, knowingly forged a document titled ‘FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA NATIONAL DRIVERS LICENCE’ with L/N APP40679AA79 issued in the name of EMEKA NWAGU which you purported to have been issued by the Federal Road Safety Commission.”

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against him.

In the course of the trial, the prosecution called witnesses, including an FBI representative, EFCC investigation officers as well as an EFCC forensic expert who carried out analyses on the defendant’s mobile device.

The prosecution also tendered several documents that were admitted in evidence against the defendant by the court. However, in the course of tendering the extra-judicial statement of the defendant, defence counsel, C. Obieze, SAN objected to the extra-judicial statement of the defendant on grounds of voluntariness.

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Consequently, the Judge ordered a trial-within-trial and the extra-judicial statement of the defendant was, thereafter, admitted in evidence. After the prosecution had closed its case, the defendant took to the dock to defend himself and also denied all the charges against him.

Delivering judgment on October 3, 2023, Justice Ijelu held that the prosecution proved the eight counts against him beyond reasonable doubt, and declared him guilty as charged on all the counts.

He was, consequently, sentenced to two years on counts one to three each, with an option of fine of N250,000; two years on count four, with an option of fine of N300,000; two years on count five, with an option of fine of N250,000; two years on count six, with an option of fine of N250,000; and two years on counts seven and eight each, with an option of fine of N300,000.

The fines are to be paid within 30 days, otherwise, he will serve out the prison terms.

The judge further ordered the forfeiture of items and property recovered from him, including one Samsung Galaxy mobile device as well as the house located at 567, Road 21, Mayfair Garden Estate, Awoyaya, Lagos to the Federal Government of Nigeria on behalf of his victims.

Internet fraud: International ‘catcher’ , accomplice jailed 16 years in Lagos

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Lagos govt insists nightclubs, worship centres must obtain permit for amplified sound

Published

5 hours ago

December 29, 2024

Trends Admin

Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab

Lagos govt insists nightclubs, worship centres must obtain permit for amplified sound

The Lagos State Government has rolled out stricter measures to combat noise pollution, requiring nightclubs, lounges, bars, and worship centres to obtain permits for events involving amplified sound.

The measure, it said, aimed to safeguard the health and well-being of Lagosians during the festive season and beyond.

Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced this via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, emphasizing the government’s zero-tolerance stance on noise pollution.

Wahab highlighted that events with amplified sound must be conducted in soundproofed, enclosed spaces to protect residents from the harmful effects of excessive noise.

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“Establishments such as worship centers, nightclubs, lounges, and bars must now obtain permits for events involving amplified sound and ensure these activities take place in soundproofed, enclosed spaces to protect neighboring residents,” the statement read in part.

To enforce these directives, the government said it had established a Special Task Force on Noise Pollution under the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).

This task force, in collaboration with the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LSNSC) and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), would oversee compliance, arrest offenders, and prosecute violators of noise regulations, it stated.

The statement further noted that starting January 2025, the government would roll out a public awareness campaign to educate Lagosians on acceptable noise levels and the benefits of a quieter environment.

Lagos govt insists nightclubs, worship centres must obtain permit for amplified sound

metro

Alleged missing N180m: It’s a prank, Singer Dammy Krane says

Published

5 hours ago

December 29, 2024

Trends Admin

Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as Verydarkman

Alleged missing N180m: It’s a prank, Singer Dammy Krane says

Singer, Dammy Krane has stated that social critic, Very Dark Man, is joking with claims that N180 million was diverted from the NGO account he created in October this year.

VDM shocked Nigerians on Friday, December 27 when he released a video claiming hackers had breached his NGO website and moved N180m leaving only N20 million.

The news shocked many Nigerians who took to social media to slam him.

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However, in a post shared on his Instagram page this evening, Dammy Krane claimed that VDM is renovating a school in Jos, and was only joking with the story of stolen funds.

Also, a Human Rights activist, Omotayo Williams, claimed the man VDM showed in his video as an officer accompanying him to Jos is a well-known member of the Kogi State Taxi Taskforce.

Alleged missing N180m: It’s a prank, Singer Dammy Krane says

metro

Oluwo backs push for Sharia law in South-West

Published

5 hours ago

December 29, 2024

Trends Admin

Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi

Oluwo backs push for Sharia law in South-West

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has expressed support for the proposed implementation of Sharia law in the South-West, emphasizing its historical presence in Yoruba culture.

Oba Akanbi noted that Sharia principles have long been part of Yoruba land, citing examples such as Sharia banking and the existence of a Sharia college in Iwo, Osun State.

He stated, “Sharia law has been in Iwo for over 100 years… It’s the right of Muslims to choose customary law or the high court.”

Recall that the discussion around Sharia law gained traction after plans were announced for the inauguration of a Sharia council on January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre in Oyo. However, the event has been postponed indefinitely following widespread public criticism.

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Critics have argued that the Yoruba-dominated South-West, where Muslims and Christians coexist, is distinct from the predominantly Muslim northern region where Sharia is more widely practiced.

Addressing concerns, Oba Akanbi explained that Sharia law is already embedded in Nigeria’s constitution and should not cause alarm for non-Muslims.

“Sharia law is only for Muslims and does not concern others. If any other person likes it, they can convert to Islam, and Muslims can also convert to Christianity. Everyone is free,” he said.

The monarch also drew attention to the challenges faced by Muslims under existing laws, particularly in matters such as inheritance and divorce, where Western legal frameworks may not align with Islamic traditions. “Many Muslims feel disenfranchised… Western education doesn’t understand the ways of Muslim divorce, marriage, and inheritance,” he added.

Oba Akanbi emphasized that Sharia law represents the inalienable rights of Muslims and should not be viewed as a threat to other religions. “No government can deny Muslims their inalienable rights,” he concluded.