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JAMB: IGP opposes bail of hacking suspects

Published

1 month ago

August 16, 2024

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun

JAMB: IGP opposes bail of hacking suspects

The legal team of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to deny bail to five suspects who allegedly conspired to illegally access JAMB’s restricted Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) and e-facility between 2023 and 2024.

The suspects are accused of deleting candidates’ previous admission letters and inputting inauthentic admission letters into tertiary institutions, facilitating mobilization for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program.

The IGP’s counsel, Victor Okoye, instituted the case against the suspects under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/312/2024.

IGP’s Case

E.Mpama, Ibanga Jerome, Eshiet Benson, C. Ofe, and D. Chukwuemeka were listed as defendants in the case.

The suspects were charged with aiding, abetting, and conspiring to commit computer-related forgery by altering data on JAMB’s restricted CAPS and e-facility, resulting in issuance of fake admission letters.

The police argue that their actions violated the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, which stipulates three years imprisonment or a monetary fine.

The IGP’s legal team emphasized that the actions of the defendants resulted in a loss of property to JAMB, as they also intended to confer economic benefits on themselves, thereby committing computer-related fraud.

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However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, paving the way for trial.

What Transpired in Court

At the resumed proceedings, the defendants’ lawyers urged the court to grant their clients bail on liberal terms.

Barrister T. Adebite, representing the fifth defendant, argued that the alleged offenses, as stated in the four-count charges, are bailable and subject to the court’s overriding discretionary powers.

He contended that his client is protected by relevant laws to be released on bail pending the determination of the substantive suit.

However, the IGP’s counsel, Okoye, opposed the bail applications, insisting that the defendants committed a “cybercrime offense” based on police investigations.

He argued that they interfered with JAMB’s website, citing special circumstances, including the potential for interference with evidence, as reasons why they should not be granted bail.

After hearing from the lawyers, Justice Peter Lifu fixed August 30, 2024, for ruling on the bail application.

JAMB: IGP opposes bail of hacking suspects

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Kidnappers kill hotel owner, manager, guest after collecting N25m ransom

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Trends Admin

Shawulu Dan-Mammam,Commissioner of Police, Niger State

Kidnappers kill hotel owner, manager, guest after collecting N25m ransom

In a tragic turn of events, kidnappers who abducted a hotel owner, his manager, and a guest in Gauraka community, Tafa Local Government Area, Niger State, have executed their captives despite receiving a ransom of N25 million.

The incident, which occurred early on August 17, 2024, has also claimed the lives of two local vigilantes, Abubakar Muhammad and Ibrahim Garba, who were killed while delivering the ransom.

According to reports from City & Crime, the bodies of the victims were found in the Dogon-Daji Forest, a border area between Kaduna, Niger State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They were subsequently transported to an air force base near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Hussaini Abubakar, the commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) in Tafa, confirmed that the remains of the vigilantes were buried on Saturday following military clearance.

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Additionally, a man previously abducted from the community about a month ago was rescued with gunshot wounds and is receiving treatment at an army medical facility in Abuja.

The abduction began around 1 am when the kidnappers raided the hotel, forcibly taking all the lodgers. Witnesses reported that the bandits fired shots while leaving, drawing attention to the crime. Despite the presence of a security hunter nearby, the individual fled upon seeing the attackers.

Community residents have expressed growing frustration over the escalating attacks, noting that the bandits frequently operate in nearby forests and along major roads, including the Ijah-Koro and Ijah-Gwari roads leading to Bwari town in the FCT.

Gauraka has experienced at least five kidnapping incidents in the past four months, underscoring the urgent need for increased security measures in the area.

Kidnappers kill hotel owner, manager, guest after collecting N25m ransom

metro

Five Chinese arrested in Akwa Ibom for illegal mining

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Trends Admin

Five Chinese arrested in Akwa Ibom for illegal mining

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested five Chinese nationals suspected of illegal mining activities in Ndito-Eka-Iba village, located in Ibieno Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

The EFCC announced the arrests on Sunday, stating that its Special Task Force on Illegal Mining, operating in Uyo, carried out the operation based on credible intelligence regarding illicit mining activities conducted by foreign companies in Eket and Ibieno LGAs.

This development underscores the ongoing efforts of the EFCC to clamp down on illegal mining and protect Nigeria’s natural resources from exploitation by foreign entities.

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The agency’s vigilance in addressing illegal operations continues to support the country’s broader fight against environmental degradation and economic sabotage.

“The five arrested Chinese suspects are Zhon Qinping, apprehended on 10 September, and Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng, arrested on 29 August.

“They were arrested at an illegal mining site, where a mineral suspected to be ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral, was being extracted.

“The suspects will face charges in court once investigations are concluded,” EFCC said.

Five Chinese arrested in Akwa Ibom for illegal mining

(NAN)

metro

Katsina community corps arrests suspect supplying hard drugs to bandits

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Trends Admin

Umar Shehu

Katsina community corps arrests suspect supplying hard drugs to bandits

The Katsina Community Watch Corps (CWC) has apprehended Umar Shehu on allegations of supplying illegal injections and drugs to bandits involved in kidnappings in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The arrest was reported by Bakatsine, a security expert and Conflict and Crisis Journalist in the Northwest region, via a post on X.

Accompanying the post was a video showing a significant quantity of syringes and Umar Shehu’s confession to his involvement in the illegal activities.

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“GOOD NEWS: The Katsina Community Watch Corp (CWC) in Ɗandume Local Government Area has successfully apprehended a man named Umar Shehu, who was involved in trafficking illegal injections and drugs to supply to bandits engaged in kidnappings in Sabuwa LGA all in Katsina State,” the post reads.

“The security team gathered crucial information from Umar and others, but only Umar’s information appeared in the video while others were not recorded for security reasons, according to an insider.”