Nigerian man jailed for impersonating American woman on Facebook to defraud U.S victim of $700 – Newstrends
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Nigerian man jailed for impersonating American woman on Facebook to defraud U.S victim of $700

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Nigerian man jailed for impersonating American woman on Facebook to defraud U.S victim of $700

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, secured the conviction of Lawal Samuel before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

In a statement released on Saturday, the EFCC said Samuel was jailed after facing a one-count charge of cybercrime.

According to the commission, he created a fake Facebook profile under the name “Sandra Brooks,” claiming to be a woman from Virginia, USA. In this guise, he allegedly deceived Keith, a resident of Illinois, USA, into sending him $700 (Seven Hundred Dollars).

The charge reads: “That you, Lawal Oluwadamilare Samuel (a.k.a Sandra Brooks), sometime in 2022 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court and with intent to defraud over the internet, wherein you represented and held out yourself on Google as ‘Sandra Brooks, a white female from Virginia, USA, to one Keith with intent to gain advantage for yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition etc.) Act, 2015.”

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Samuel pleaded “guilty” to the charge.

Following the plea, prosecution counsel A.A. Usman called EFCC operative Muhammad Al-Mustapha Bello to review the case facts. Bello stated that Samuel was arrested on May 16, 2025, at his hideout in Command, Ipaja, Lagos State, during a raid prompted by intelligence reports.

“During the investigation, one Samsung Galaxy S9, one HP laptop, one Samsung tab and a Mercedes Benz C300 2008 car were recovered from him. He restituted the sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) via Zenith Bank,” Bello said.

According to the statement, the prosecution tendered Samuel’s extrajudicial statements, the recovered devices, and forensic investigation reports, which the court admitted as exhibits.

Defence counsel Kehinde Sanni-Mutoshi urged the court to “temper justice with mercy,” saying, “he is a first-time offender, and he is very remorseful.”

Justice Dipeolu sentenced Samuel to six months in prison with an option of a N3,000,000.00  fine. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the Samsung Galaxy S9, HP laptop, Samsung tab, Mercedes Benz C300 (2008 model), and N500,000 to the Federal Government.

Nigerian man jailed for impersonating American woman on Facebook to defraud U.S victim of $700

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Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

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Godwin Emefiele

Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has strongly denied allegations linking him to terrorism financing in Nigeria, describing the claims as “mischievous and malicious.”

In a statement released on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Emefiele said the reports were “entirely fabricated, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to malign my name, mislead the public, and sow confusion for motives best known only to the publishers and their sponsors.”

He emphasized that the fight against terrorism is too important to be trivialized by irresponsible reporting, warning that Nigerians deserve accurate information rather than “reckless misinformation.”

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“Throughout my service to the nation and in my private life, at no time have I been involved in any activity remotely connected to terrorism, terrorist financing, or any action that threatens the peace and security of our nation,” Emefiele stated. He added that he has never been invited, questioned, or investigated regarding such allegations and has no connection to the individual cited in the media reports.

“There is no scintilla of truth in the allegation,” he said, urging the public to disregard the claims entirely and calling on media organizations to verify facts before publishing sensational stories.

Emefiele’s statement seeks to reaffirm his reputation and distances him from any activities undermining national security.

Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

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Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

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Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday inaugurated the newly constructed multi-million-naira Juma’at Mosque located within the Emir of Gumel’s Palace in Jigawa State.

According to a statement by Zainab Rabo, Senior Special Assistant on Media Affairs to Governor Umar Namadi, the event drew high-level dignitaries, including top politicians, first-class emirs, captains of industry, and prominent Islamic scholars from across the country.

Rabo disclosed that the mosque was built by the Kashim Shettima Foundation, adding that Governor Umar A. Namadi and the Sultan of Sokoto graced the ceremony.

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During the occasion, the Vice President congratulated the Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani, on marking 45 years on the throne, describing the milestone as a blessing and testament to exemplary leadership.

Shettima also reaffirmed his commitment—through his foundation—to initiatives that would improve the lives of Nigerians.

The Vice President further commended Governor Namadi for his notable strides in modern agriculture, noting that Jigawa’s progress under his leadership had positioned the state competitively within Nigeria and beyond.

“Governor Namadi is equal to the task, looking at his two-year achievements and the way he transformed Jigawa in modern agriculture,” Shettima stated.

 

Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

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Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

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Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun

Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has deployed a Special Enforcement Team in Lagos to enforce President Bola Tinubu’s directive ending the use of police officers as escorts and guards for Very Important Persons (VIPs).

The operation, according to a statement posted on the Force’s official X account on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, commenced at about 10:00 a.m. on December 6, 2025, across key locations in Lagos State.

Hundeyin confirmed that the team carried out compliance checks at major points, including the Lekki–Ikoyi Link Bridge, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport domestic terminal, and other strategic hotspots within the state.

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He disclosed that officers found “satisfactory and commendable” compliance with the presidential directive, with no incidents of unauthorised police escort and no arrests recorded.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reiterates the Force’s commitment to the full implementation of the presidential directive,” the statement said. “The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in redeploying its personnel to core policing duties aimed at enhancing general security, crime prevention, and the protection of lives and property nationwide.”

Hundeyin added that enforcement would continue across the country “without fear or favour,” urging Nigerians to support the push for a more professional and citizen-focused policing system.

President Tinubu had, on November 23, ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection, directing that they be reassigned to frontline policing roles. According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, VIP protection will now be handled by armed operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The policy aims to free up police manpower for critical security operations, particularly in underserved communities, and enhance overall national security efficiency.

Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

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