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‘Pastor’ cuts ties after defrauding US-based Nigerian of N1.5m

Published

11 months ago

July 7, 2023

Michael Ayodeji Adeliyi

‘Pastor’ cuts ties after defrauding US-based Nigerian of N1.5m

In December 2022, Dele Ajayi (not real name), a US-based Nigerian, was introduced to Michael Ayodeji Adeliyi, a “pastor and forex trading expert“, by a mutual friend.

Following their initial meeting, and because he came highly recommended, Dele decided to allow Adeliyi trade on his behalf.

It later turned out to be a wrong move as the pastor he thought he could trust stole N1.5 million from him.

THE INTRODUCTION

“I met Michael Ayodeji Adeliyi, who claims to be a pastor, through a mutual friend a few years back. While I was still in Nigeria, I would hold prayer sessions together with the mutual friend and over time, I came to know him as a sincere, honest and straightforward person,” Dele told FIJ.

“Afterwards, and when the mutual friend decided to introduce me to Adeliyi, I had no doubt in my mind that he would also turn out to be trustworthy.”

The mutual friend would subsequently recommend Adeliyi to Dele as an expert in forex trading.

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“Because I had always had interest in investing along that line, and because he came highly recommended, I associated myself with the pastor.

“I also did not hesitate to allow him trade on my behalf.”

According to Dele, Adeliyi started trading fully on Dele’s behalf in December 2022.

“He was really actually managing the account on my behalf. Prior to this period, I had already let him into how I had run into a huge loss while trying out all kinds of businesses and he had assured me that things would be different under him.

“During a period, I suddenly discovered that he wasn’t reachable for two days. When I was able to login to my trading profile, I discovered that I had run into a loss of $6,000.

“He would subsequently send me a voice note with another line different from his usual phone number to say that he had been robbed.

“In the end, I had to close trading on my own.

“He also said I should give him some time before he would recommence trading, and I said he should take all the time he needed.”

THE N1.5 MILLION FRAUD

A few days after the alleged robbery incident, Adeliyi told Dele that he needed some money for a particular trading opportunity.

“He told me that there was a particular trade that was quite lucrative at the time, and that he would like us to trade in it,” Dele said.

“On hearing this, I suggested he take over the previous account from me, but he said he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to trade in large volumes yet.

“He then said he needed some money from me and that he would take over trading with the main account later.

“While making the request, he kept on hammering on the point that the capital was needed so he could take advantage of the market.

“Because of the meticulous way he had been trading in the past, and despite the armed robbery incident he claimed had happened to him, I quickly raised N1.5 million for him in March.”

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The moment Adeliyi received the N1.5 million from Dele, he cut off all communication ties.

“Not only did he stop answering my calls, he also stopped responding to my WhatsApp messages,” Dele said.

“When I asked my cousin who is based in Nigeria to help me call him, he finally answered the phone and claimed he was busy. When he was asked why he had refused to answer my call, he was unable to come up with a concrete excuse.

“To date, he has refused to answer my calls. This is one man that loves to parade himself as a pastor. He knew I had a prior issue with a business and he still thought he could defraud me. I thought he was someone that could be trusted because of the way he loves to parade himself.”

FIJ made several phone calls to Adeliyi for comments on the allegation on Thursday morning, but they were not answered. At press time, he had also not responded to a text message and an email sent to him.

‘Pastor’ cuts ties after defrauding US-based Nigerian of N1.5m

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Biafra Day: IPoB warns UNIZIK, WAEC to postpone convocation, exam

Published

58 mins ago

May 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Biafra Day: IPoB warns UNIZIK, WAEC to postpone convocation, exam

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, has warned the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK Awka, Anambra State Prof. Charles Esimone, and West African Examination Council, WAEC to postpone the convocation ceremony of the University and WAEC exam scheduled for May 30th.

IPoB, in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, entitled “Nnamdi Azikiwe University VC and WAEC Board to postpone 30th May Convocation and WAEC on that day,” said Prof. Esimone ought to know that 30th of May every year is Biafra Heroes Day and should not fix any programs of his University on that day, just as WAEC should have known that that day is sacrosanct to all Igbo men and women.

IPoB’s statement reads, “Dear Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, UNIZIK Anambra State. The attention of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, led by our indomitable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to your proposed University’s Convocation date of 30th May, 2024 and the WAEC examinations for the same day.

“We urge you to kindly reschedule your convocation and exams to a new date because 30th of May, is the Biafra Heroes Day and a sit-at-home for all Biafrans in the Biafra land.

“Dear VC Esimone, if you consider yourself a Biafra, you ought to know that 30th of May is a Biafra Heroes day. And WAEC board members, Biafra Heroes day is sacrosanct to Ndigbo, you dare not fix your exam on that day if you have respect for Igbo race.

“Nevertheless, we are reminding you and the UNIZIK University Management and WAEC board that May 30 of every year is a sacred day set aside to honour Biafra heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate prize and sacrifice for the survival of Biafrans.

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“That day remains sacred and a day that Biafrans sit-at-home to remember and honour our heroes who fell during the Nigerian genocidal war against Biafrans between 1967 to 1970.

“Even until the present day the killing has not stopped. No public event is expected to take place in Biafra land on this day. Biafra Heroes day is a public holiday and a sit-at-home in Biafra land for Biafrans in honor of our fallen heroes and heroines. All markets, schools, banks, government and private offices are expected to be under lock and key.

“Movement of persons and vehicles are not allowed except those on essential or emergency services such as Journalists, health workers, Ambulance, Fire Service, Filling stations and Hospitals etc.

“West African examination Council, WAEC, board should not endanger the lives of small children because that day is not safe for any individual in Biafra territory, it is a day everybody stays indoors for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us to live and they must reschedule the date to another day. 30th of May is a Biafran remembrance day.

“If anything happens to those children they want to bring out that day they will regret doing so. By this open letter, to you IPoB is calling on the Vice Chancellor and the Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka, WAEC and any other person or group that scheduled any program for 30th May, 2024, to postpone such program. Biafra Heroes Day takes precedence over any program in Biafra land on that day.

“However, if the Vice Chancellor and the Management of UNIZIK insist on having their Convocation on 30th May, 2024 in disregard of Biafra fallen heroes and heroines, they have decided to spit on the graves of Biafra heroes and heroines and should be ready to take responsibility for whatever happens afterwards.

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“IPoB will not enforce the 30th May sit-at-home, but will also not take responsibility for whatever happens to the violators on that day. The Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University must not provoke IPoB.

“We do not take it kindly with people desecrating the memory of our heroes and heroines. IPOB calls on the students, the parents, the guests, and visitors to UNIZIK’s Convocation ceremony and those for WAEC exams scheduled for May 30th to apply caution and avoid being on the road the day Biafrans are mourning their dead.

“If the University goes ahead with the plans. Safety is an individual responsibility. Don’t endanger yourself for an hour-long ceremony. In the past, Nigeria security forces and their collaborators have killed and set some cars of those found on the road ablaze any time IPoB calls for sit-at-home, just to blackmail IPoB. Don’t be a victim.

“IPoB is therefore, warning all the persons and institutions paid to insult and desecrate the memories of our fallen heroes that their sponsors will not be there to save them when the rain starts falling on them.

“Those that have sabotaged their stock in trade will be collectively and individually held to account for their evil.

“IPOB is not a Umunna meeting or community meeting to be toyed with. As much as we care we also bite. UNIZIK Management and WAEC board should be warned.”

Biafra Day: IPoB warns UNIZIK, WAEC to postpone convocation, exam

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Popular pastor kicks wife, 6 children out of Abuja home

Published

2 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Pastor Stanley Ogbonna and his estranged wife, Chioma

Popular pastor kicks wife, 6 children out of Abuja home

In a shocking development, Pastor Stanley Ogbonna, General Overseer of God’s Spring Assembly, also known as Glass Church in Kubwa, Abuja, has allegedly driven his estranged wife, Chioma, and their six children out of their home.

The couple’s strained relationship recently culminated in a divorce, marked by serious accusations and public outcry.

Reports indicate that Pastor Ogbonna purportedly sold his properties to prevent Chioma from obtaining a share of his wealth, a claim he presented in court. This situation escalated on Tuesday when a viral video surfaced on social media, showing Chioma accusing the pastor of infidelity and domestic abuse. She described her 18 to 19 years of hardship living with him, during which she bore six children.

In the emotionally charged video, Chioma expressed her despair: “See him, God will help me. This is a pastor. Look at him. This is the pastor, Stanley Ogbonna. He called the police and evicted me and the children out of the house. Look at me, look at my properties all outside unannounced.”

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Chioma recounted how Pastor Ogbonna had already moved his belongings out of the house while engaging in extramarital affairs. “Today, he has come to disgrace me after laboring with him for 18 years, 19 years. See what the General Overseer of God’s Wing Assembly, Glass Church, Kubwa, is doing. I’m his wife, who labored with him for 19 years,” she added.

She pleaded for justice, emphasizing the suffering she endured and the impact on their youngest child, who is only four years old.

Attempts to reach Pastor Ogbonna and the church for comments were unsuccessful. The church’s inquiry line was unreachable, and emails sent to their official address had not been replied to at the time of this report.

Despite the ongoing controversy, the church recently celebrated Pastor Ogbonna’s birthday on April 18 with a program titled “Happy Birthday in Perfect Grace.”

This incident has sparked widespread reactions and calls for justice for Chioma and her children, highlighting the need for accountability and support in such distressing circumstances.

Popular pastor kicks wife, 6 children out of Abuja home

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Generator fumes kill seven people in Bayelsa

Published

2 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Generator fumes kill seven people in Bayelsa

Tragedy struck, in the early hours of Tuesday, at the Amarata suburb of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital as seven persons lost their lives after inhaling fumes from power generating set (generator) placed inside a music studio.