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U.S. court sentences Hushpuppi’s ally, Woodberry, orders deportation to Nigeria

Published

10 months ago

July 12, 2023

Jacob Olalekan Ponle, also known as Woodberry

U.S. court sentences Hushpuppi’s ally, Woodberry, orders deportation to Nigeria

Judge Robert Gettleman of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago has sentenced Jacob Olalekan Ponle, also known as Woodberry, to eight years and three months in prison for his coordination of a multimillion-dollar fraud.

Recall that Woodberry was arrested on June 10, 2020, alongside Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas, who was jailed late last year for 11 years in the U.S. for internet fraud.

“The defendant is hereby committed to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a total term of 100 months as to count,” Judge Gettleman ruled.

Ponle was sentenced after being convicted on one count of fraud. Seven other counts were dismissed following a plea bargain in April.

According to court filings obtained by Peoples Gazette, Gettleman ordered Woodberry to submit himself to the U.S. Marshal Service for onward transfer to the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, where his family members, especially his American fiancée, would be allowed to visit him.

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Ponle will also be “surrendered to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for deportation immediately following his incarceration”, the judge said.

Woodberry will pay seven victims about $8 million in restitution, with the court finding that he has the capacity to make the full payment but waived all interests on the restitution value.

Recall that on June 29, prosecutors had asked the judge to sentence Woodberry to 14 years in prison for the fraud he committed between January and September 2019.

The prosecutors also sought court permission to sell the fraudster’s 152 bitcoins, but only after a 30 days’ notice had been issued to the public for anyone with interest in the assets to file claims. No one with legitimate interest appeared to have surfaced as of the time of Woodberry’s sentencing.

The prosecutors also recommended that Woodberry, known for flaunting his flamboyant lifestyle on social media, forfeit items in the Dubai police custody, such as one Rolls Royce, Lamborghini Urus, Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG G55, four Rolex watches, one Patek Philippe watch, and three Audemars Piguet watches.

Also, he is to forfeit three gold and diamond-studded rings, five gold bracelets and two gold bracelet keys, six gold neck chains, one gold and diamond-studded necklace, one small gold nugget, two bank cards, about $1,835 in Emirati dirhams, and approximately $15.45 in South African rands.

U.S. court sentences Hushpuppi’s ally, Woodberry, orders deportation to Nigeria

metro

Fire guts new NNPCL tank farm in Lagos

Published

2 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Fire guts new NNPCL tank farm in Lagos

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL Tank Farm at Kayode Street, Marine Beach, in the Apapa area of Lagos was on Friday was gutted by fire.

According to an eyewitness, Mr Tunde Are, the raging fire starter at about 11:00 am.

He said people ran helter-skelter to contain the fire before a rescue team arrived.

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The rescue team, led by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, LASEMA, were still battling to put off the raging fire as of the time of filing this report.

The inferno, it was gathered, resulted from a spillage of petroleum products within the perimeter of the terminal

Confirming the incident, the Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said concerted effort with various emergency responders within the oil and gas industry was on to contain the situation.

Fire guts new NNPCL tank farm in Lagos

metro

BREAKING: Cosmetic surgeon convicted over failed plastic surgery

Published

3 hours ago

May 17, 2024

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Dr. Anuoluwapo Adepoju

BREAKING: Cosmetic surgeon convicted over failed plastic surgery

The Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted Dr. Anuoluwapo Adepoju, founder of MedContour Services Ltd., for her role in a botched plastic surgery resulting in the death of Nneka Onwuzuligbo in 2020, FIJ has reported.

Former Director-General of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Babatunde Irukera, announced the conviction via Twitter, expressing pride in prosecuting the case.

He emphasized the importance of accountability and the justice system’s role in societal growth.

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In his tweet, Irukera, tweeting as #TundeIrukera, wrote, “Today is a day of pride for me that I personally prosecuted Anu Adepoju and her medical practice. Though I’ve left, the case has ended in a conviction strengthening the accountability framework for all in society, professionals or otherwise. This is how society should work and grow.

“Dr. Anu Adepoju and her medical practice convicted in all 5 counts charged by FCCPC. The wheel of justice may grind slowly, but we must see it through. What we need are enforced with audacity and the will to prosecute competently and diligently. Good day for consumers of professional services.”

BREAKING: Cosmetic surgeon convicted over failed plastic surgery

metro

Two notorious kidnappers arrested in Taraba

Published

3 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Notorious kidnappers

Two notorious kidnappers arrested in Taraba

Troops of 6 Brigade/Sector 3 Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) of the Nigerian Army have arrested two alleged kidnappers identified as Nali Umaru and Abubakar Umaru in Pamanga village of Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The two suspects arrested said to be involved in incidents of kidnappings in the area were arrested on 16 May 2024 by troops from the 20 Model Battalion Sub-Sector 3A OPWS during a patrol to Pamanga Village.

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According to a statement by the Nigerian Army, Nali Umaru (26) from Jauromani and Abubakar Umaru (25) from Jauro Damji, both of Sunkani Local Government Area of Taraba State, confessed to being part of a notorious kidnapping gang operating in the general area.

The statement indicated that two locally made pistols, 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one round of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and two cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

“The arrest of these two suspected kidnappers underscores the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army in eradicating all forms of criminal activities and instilling confidence in the residents in the state. The public is therefore encouraged to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely information on any suspicious activities in their communities,” the statement indicated.