Internet fraudster offers police N174m bribe in Lagos – Newstrends
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Internet fraudster offers police N174m bribe in Lagos

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Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Adegoke Fayoade

Internet fraudster offers police N174m bribe in Lagos

Operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, have rejected a bribe of $100,000 (approximately N174 million) offered by a 28-year-old suspected internet fraudster, Patrick Akpoguma.

The suspect, who was accused of being involved in various types of internet-related fraud, including romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and identity theft, was arrested following a detailed investigation.

Addressing journalists, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Adegoke Fayoade, revealed that Akpoguma had defrauded several victims by impersonating prominent figures, including U.S. Army Colonel Matt Herbert and cryptocurrency expert Adam Taggart.

“Patrick Akpoguma admitted to being involved in romance scams and other cryptocurrency-related fraud. He created fake social media accounts and even purchased a silicone face and hand mask worth $11,200 to impersonate his victims online,” AIG Fayoade said.

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The investigation began on November 7, 2024, after residents of Chevron Drive, Lekki, reported suspicious activities linked to the suspect. During his arrest, Akpoguma attempted to bribe the police with $100,000 to secure his release. However, the officers, under the leadership of CSP Ngozi Braid, played along, documented the money as evidence, and continued with their investigation.

Akpoguma, a graduate of Mechanical Engineering, confessed to his crimes during the press briefing, stating that he had earned over $500,000 from fraudulent activities in three years. He claimed to have invested in luxury properties and vehicles, including a GLE Mercedes-Benz worth N100 million.

The suspect expressed regret for his actions and commended the police for their transparency. “This is the first time I’ve been in contact with the police, and I must confess, it’s a good step for the Nigerian police. They have shown integrity and credibility,” Akpoguma said.

AIG Fayoade confirmed that the investigation had been concluded and that the suspect would soon face prosecution. He praised the officers for their dedication and urged the public to report suspicious activities to the authorities.

 

Internet fraudster offers police N174m bribe in Lagos

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NAF air strikes kill scores of bandits in Kaduna, free kidnap victims

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NAF air strikes kill scores of bandits in Kaduna, free kidnap victims

The Nigerian Air Force said on Saturday that its fighter aircraft conducted strategic airstrikes targeting major bandit enclaves located within Dunya Hill and Batauna Forest in Giwa, Kaduna State, resulting in the neutralisation of many combatants as well as the obliteration of significant stockpiles of weapons and resources critical to the bandits’ operations.

As a result of these intensified strikes, credible sources from local communities have confirmed that bandits are on the run, their once-secure enclaves in disarray.

Director of NAF Public Relations, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, while disclosing this, said, “In a sign of the operation’s success, multiple reports have emerged detailing the escape and liberation of several kidnapping victims, who have managed to regain freedom amidst the chaos inflicted upon their captors.”.

He said, “In furtherance of the intense air interdiction campaign in Northwest Nigeria nicknamed Operation Farautar Mujiya, the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma on November 12, 2024, conducted strategic airstrikes targeting major bandit enclaves located within Dunya Hill and Batauna Forest in Giwa, Kaduna State.

“These areas have long served as safe havens for bandit groups due to their dense vegetation and the natural protection provided by an array of caves.

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“The objective of the strikes was to dismantle the entrenched criminal networks and degrade their capacity to operate effectively.

“The airstrikes were preceded by intensive intelligence gathering that meticulously identified high-value targets, including key logistics hubs and hidden armouries used by the bandits.

“The aerial assault resulted in the neutralisation of many combatants as well as the obliteration of significant stockpiles of weapons and resources critical to the bandits’ operations.

“Since the commencement of this intensified campaign, credible sources from local communities have confirmed that bandits are on the run, their once-secure enclaves in disarray.

“In a sign of the operation’s success, multiple reports have emerged detailing the escape and liberation of several kidnapping victims, who have managed to regain freedom amidst the chaos inflicted upon their captors.

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Appeal court affirms Baruwa as NURTW president, renders MC Oluomo election invalid

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Musiliu Akinsanya (popularly known as MC Oluomo

Appeal court affirms Baruwa as NURTW president, renders MC Oluomo election invalid

The recent emergence of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo as National President of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has been rendered invalid.
This follows a new judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirming Tajudeen Baruwa as the re-elected NURTW president.
Newstrends recalls MC Oluomo was elected as the president of NURTW last Saturday after being the only candidate to run for the position at a South-West forum for NURTW leaders.

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He was said to have secured unanimous votes from all of the delegates in the Union’s Quadrennial Delegate Conference for Zone 2 Council held in Osogbo, Osun State.
But the appeal court in a unanimous judgement delivered on Friday, November 8, upheld the March 11, 2024 ruling of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, affirming the re-election of Tajudeen Baruwa as the president of the NURTW.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, Justice Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba and Justice Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi.

A report on Saturday November 16 by SaharaReporters said the appeal numbered CA/ABJ/CV/293/2024 was between Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin, Alh. Tajudeen Badru Agbede, Alh. Aliyu Isa Ore, Kayode Agbeyangi, Alh. Alhasan Haruna 313, Aliyu Tanimu, Alh. Hakeem Adeosun as 1st to 7th Appellants and Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, Bello Adamu, Eugene Eze Job, Danjuma Saidu, Prince Isah Dahiru Uman, Suleiman Adamu, Odion Olaye J.P and Chief Herbert C. Iwuji as the 1st to 8th Respondents,

It stated that the three appeal court judges dismissed the appellants appeal and awarded a cost of N100,000 against them.

The enrolled order of the judgement obtained on Friday evening showed it was signed by Deputy Chief Registrar, Judith M. Jabbe, and read by Justice Hamma Akawu Barka.

The Appeal Court declared that “this Appeal is devoid of merit and the same is hereby dismissed”.

The judgement read, “This is an appeal against the judgment/decision of the National Industrial Court Sitting in Abuja, in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023 delivered on the 11th March, 2024 by Justice O. O. Oyewumi.

“Upon reading the Record of Appeal compiled and transmitted before this court together with the respective briefs of argument;

“And after hearing, O. I. Olorundare, SAN with F.T Sotikare, esq) Jimoh Balogun, Esq O. D. Emole, Esq I. Yunanah Esq) for the appellants.

“Tolu Babaleye Esq with Adeniyi Adejoke Esq, Maku Oluwatoyin Esq, B. T Ataine Esq for the Respondents; it is hereby ordered that:

“This appeal is devoid of merit and the same is hereby dismissed.

“I affirm the Judgment of the Trial Court delivered on the 11th day of March, 2024 in respect of Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023.”

“I award the cost of N100,000 against the Appellant and in favour of the Respondents,” it adds.

The National Industrial Court in its judgment on Monday, March 11, 2024, sacked the Tajudeen Agbede-led Caretaker Committee of the NURTW.

While delivering her judgment on the leadership crisis rocking the union, Justice O. O. Oyewumi held that the delegates’ conference across the six zonal councils held on May 24, 2023, where Baruwa emerged as President for a second term in office was valid.

 

Appeal court affirms Baruwa as NURTW president, renders MC Oluomo election invalid

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13 Nigerian girls rescued from traffickers in Ghana

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NiDCOM Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun

13 Nigerian girls rescued from traffickers in Ghana

Thirteen girls trafficked from Nigeria to Ghana have been rescued, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has said.

The agency made the disclosure in a statement by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.

According to Balogun, with the Ghana rescue operation, 163 people have now been repatriated back into the country within five months.

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“Among the 163 included the 13 girls that were rescued and brought back to Nigeria over the weekend,” the statement said.

According to NiDCOM, the rescue operation was orchestrated by combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, The Rescue Live Foundation International, and Nigeria in Diaspora Organization, NIDO, Ghana working in collaboration with NiDCOM

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