News
Alleged N740m Investment Scam: How I Lost N28m To Couple, Accomplice
Alleged N740m Investment Scam: How I Lost N28m To Couple, Accomplice
The trial of the Chief Executive Officer of Onome Global Market Resources Limited and Lexicon Multi-concept Media Limited Osabohein Alex Ologbose and his wife Hope Onome Oghelemu continued on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 before Justice Ekerete Akpan of the Federal High Court, Abuja, with the Second Prosecution Witness, PW2, Modestus Uchenna Okafor, narrating how the couple’s accomplice, Alice Ayeni, lured him into paying the sum of N28,080,000 into her bank account.
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The defendants, alongside their two companies, Onome Global Market Resources Limited and Lexicon Multi-concept Media Limited are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a seven-count charge, bordering on obtaining by false pretence, conversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of N740 million (Seven Hundred and Forty Million Naira), contrary to Section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 and punished under Section 18(4) of the same Act.
Narrating his ordeal to the court, the witness, an officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, stated that he met Ayeni in the Nigerian Export Import Bank, NEXIM Bank, when he went to make enquiry on the process of exporting ginger, garlic and other agricultural produce and how to obtain loan to finance the export.
Led in his examination-in-chief by prosecution counsel, O.S.Ujam, the witness disclosed that Ayeni introduced him to the second defendant, Onome Global Market Resources Limited and convinced him that he can do business with the company.
“She brought out the profile of the second defendant and told us that the second defendant is registered with the Corporate Affair Commission, CAC, with NEXIM certificate, and EFCC’s SCUML certificate. Alice Ayeni also told us that she is a director and a partner in the company. She gave us the profile of the second defendant for us to look at and we confirmed what she said to the truth. She also told us that she is a manager in NEXIM bank,” he said.
Testifying further, the witness stated that “Alice also told us that the second defendant, Onome Global has a request to export 30 bags of bitter kola to Hong Kong and that she is also an investor and has 10 slots from the 30 bags of bitter kola requested from Hong Kong. She said she will give me two bags to invest, meaning that she will allow me to invest in the two bags of bitter kola. She gave me an account number to pay the sum of N620,000, that is N310,000 for each bag.”
Responding to the prosecution counsel, he disclosed that he paid the sum N620, 000 into an account Ayeni gave him, of which he said, she acknowledged the receipt of the payment, while he later paid the sum of N28,080,000.00 (Twenty Eight Million, Eighty thousand Naira) directly into Alade’s account for the export of bitter kola and red kola nuts to Hong Kong, China and Indonesia.
“I made payment for Hong Kong, China and Indonesia export of bitter kola and red kolanuts, totalling N28,080,000, (Twenty-eight million, eighty thousand Naira) into the bank account of Alice Ayeni, which she gave to me and there is a confirmation of the receipt of the money by Alice Ayeni and the chats between me and Alice Ayeni I printed them out and I put in a flash drive,” he said.
He further disclosed that after several weeks of failed promises from Ayeni, he and another victim, Ikechukwu Chikelum confronted her and she took them to the residence of the third defendant, Oghelemu.
“I went with my friend who is also an investor to the house of Alice Ayeni. That My friend is an investor that I introduced whose name is Mr. Ikechukwu Chikelum. The third defendant assured us that within sometime, the payment will be made and we would receive all our return on investment and we believe her, because of what she said. Weeks passed into months, yet nothing was received, no payment was made. Then, they called for a meeting of all the investors at Living Faith Church,” he said.
He disclosed that during the meeting, the first and third defendant, Ologbose and Oghelemu, respectively, as well as Ayeni apologized to them, claiming that the delay was from the receiving foreign companies, and that they are working hard to ensure that payment is made to them in the shortest possible time.
The witness further revealed that he and other victims opted to petition the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA to verify the alleged transaction which he said the Foreign Affairs Ministry disclosed that there was no receiving company in Hong Kong and the other Asian countries mentioned in respect of the alleged transaction, while the NPA according to him, disclosed that there was no such shipment as claimed by the defendants.
Scammers
“We wrote to the Nigerian Port Authority and they replied that no such shipment by the defendants took place. That was when I concluded that I had been defrauded. I and six other investors contacted our lawyer who wrote a petition to the EFCC. My lord, till date I have not received my investment sum or any return on investment.”
During the witness’s cross-examination, by the defence counsel, Femi Peter Joseph, he told the court that on Page 13 of Exhibit B1-74, Ayeni acknowledged the receipt for the sum of N7,000,000, and that on Pages 20 and 21 of the same Exhibit B1-74, she acknowledged the payment of N4,600,000 into Fidelity Bank in the name of Ayobola Anike Ventures Limited.
“On page 56 of exhibit B1-74 I can also see that Alice Ayeni acknowledged the receipt of N2,380,000 from my friend Henry Chucks, who I also introduced. It was paid to the bank account of Ayobola Anike Ventures,” he said.
Justice Akpan adjourned the matter till September 24, 2026, for continuation of trial.
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News
Civil Society, Journalists Commend Governor Eno On Arrival Of First Batch Of Brand-New CNG Buses, Inspect Fleet
Civil Society, Journalists Commend Governor Eno On Arrival Of First Batch Of Brand-New CNG Buses, Inspect Fleet
Journalists and civil society stakeholders have commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for the arrival of the first batch of brand-new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, describing the initiative as a bold step towards transforming the state’s public transportation system.
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The commendation came on Tuesday , July 1,2026 ,during an inspection of the newly delivered buses at the Government House parking facility in Uyo, where members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), civil society representatives inspected 20 of the 50 buses procured by the state government as part of its integrated mass transit programme.
Speaking during the inspection, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, lauded Governor Umo Eno for prioritising quality and investing in a transportation system that will benefit residents across the state.
“On behalf of my colleagues, I want to thank His Excellency for bringing this to our people. I must say the Governor loves standard, and this is standard,” he said.
The NUJ Chairman encouraged young people in the state to take advantage of opportunities that would emerge from the project by acquiring the technical skills required to operate and maintain the modern transport system.
He also appreciated the Commissioner for Information for granting journalists unrestricted access to inspect the buses, noting that firsthand inspection would enable the media to provide accurate information to members of the public.
Speaking during the inspection, the Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Barr. Clifford Thomas, commended Governor Umo Eno for the initiative, describing the acquisition of the CNG buses as a bold and forward-looking investment in the state’s transportation sector.
He noted that the integrated mass transit system would significantly ease transportation challenges, improve mobility for residents and reduce the cost of commuting across Akwa Ibom State.
Barr. Thomas, however, urged the state government to put in place a sustainable maintenance and management framework to ensure the buses are properly maintained and remain operational for many years.
Addressing journalists, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Aniekan Umanah, explained that the inspection was organised following a request by the NUJ Chairman to verify the arrival of the buses amid public speculation.
“We came here on the request of the Chairman of the NUJ to see for himself, and for all of us, the new CNG buses brought in by His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, for the mass transportation system he is putting in place. This transport system will cover the 31 Local Government Areas and move our people seamlessly using these CNG buses.”
Dr. Umanah disclosed that Governor Umo Eno approved the procurement of 50 CNG buses, with 20 already delivered to the state while the remaining units are expected after the completion of production and shipping processes.
“Today, 20 of those brand new buses are on ground here in the Government House parking bay. Many people have been wondering whether these buses are real. Here are the buses, gentlemen of the press.
“They are brand-new manufactured buses. For those who have gone about claiming that these are refurbished buses, let me state clearly that they are marchants of falsehood. These are brand-new buses produced specifically for Akwa Ibom State.”
He further revealed that construction of the state’s central transport terminal at Ikot Akpe is progressing steadily and will serve as the operational hub of the integrated transport system.
According to him, the facility will include passenger terminals, a drivers’ academy, maintenance workshops, car wash facilities, CNG refuelling stations and other supporting infrastructure required for efficient operations.
“We are about entering an era of efficient and effective mass transportation for the people of Akwa Ibom State,” he declared.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Luke, commended Governor Umo Eno for his visionary leadership and commitment to providing a transportation system that meets global standards while improving mobility and reducing transportation costs for residents.
Providing further insight into the procurement process, Mr. Ime Uwah said Governor Umo Eno insisted on quality throughout the acquisition process, leading government officials to travel to Turkey to inspect the buses before payment was made.
“For me, His Excellency Governor Umo Eno stands for quality and standard because these Isuzu buses, he made sure we went for this particular brand. We travelled to Turkey to inspect them before payment was made, ensuring that they met exactly what we wanted.”
Mr. Uwah added that Alpha Dias Project Limited has been engaged to manage the transport system for the first two years to ensure professional and efficient operations.
“His Excellency wants experienced hands and experts to operate these buses before they are eventually handed over for broader local management. The first two years will therefore be managed under contract by Alpha Dias.”
Speaking on the technical features of the fleet, the Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Dias Project Limited, Mr. Alex , dismissed claims that the buses were converted diesel vehicles.
He explained that the buses are original factory-built CNG vehicles powered by Cummins CNG engines and specifically designed for natural gas operations.
“Many CNG buses operating in Nigeria and across West Africa are diesel buses converted to run on gas. These buses are different. They were designed and manufactured from the factory specifically as CNG buses, making the Akwa Ibom fleet one of the most advanced public transport fleets on the African continent.”
Akwa Ibom CNG Buses
He disclosed that the integrated transport network will connect all 31 Local Government Areas through carefully planned routes linking major commercial centers
He added that transport terminals under construction will feature modern passenger facilities, maintenance centres, driver training schools and CNG refuelling stations to support efficient and sustainable operations.
Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and representatives of civil society organisations were later taken on a demonstration ride aboard the new CNG buses, where they experienced firsthand the comfort, spacious interiors, modern safety features and smooth, quiet operation of the factory-built vehicles.
The inspection reinforced confidence in the state’s integrated transport initiative and underscored the government’s commitment to delivering a safe, affordable, environmentally friendly and world-class mass transportation system that will serve residents across all 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.
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ICPC Arrests Former Minister Over Certificate Forgery Allegations
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji (M), following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
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The arrest was effected on Wednesday, 1st July 2026 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon Mr. Nnaji’s arrival. He was apprehended with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS) and subsequently handed over to the ICPC for further investigation.
The Commission had earlier extended formal invitations to the former minister through a letter referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16, dated 15 May 2026. The invitation notices were duly served to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as via his electronic mail address. Despite service through multiple channels, Mr. Nnaji failed to appear for investigative interviews on the scheduled dates, necessitating further legal action.
The legal action followed a court order granted by the Federal High Court in the Abuja Judicial Division (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026). The order, issued on 11 June 2026, directed the ICPC to arrest the former minister to enable investigation into allegations bordering on:
1. Forgery of academic credentials, specifically concerning a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); and
2. False National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate, which was submitted during his ministerial screening process in 2023.
ICPC
Following the arrest, Mr. Nnaji has been taken into custody at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where investigations are expected to continue. The Commission assures the public that the matter will be pursued diligently in accordance with the law.
J. Okor Odey
Head, Media and Public Communications, ICPC
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NAFOWA Honours Fallen Heroes’ Widows, Advances Welfare For Enhancement
The Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the welfare and empowerment of the widows of fallen Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel through a special dinner and empowerment lecture held to commemorate the 2026 International Widows’ Day.
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Speaking at the event in Abuja, the President of NAFOWA, Mrs Ngozi Aneke, paid glowing tribute to the courage, resilience and enduring strength of the widows, describing them as living symbols of hope whose sacrifices continue to inspire the NAF community. She emphasised that beyond offering sympathy, NAFOWA remains committed to restoring confidence, promoting dignity and creating sustainable opportunities that enable widows to rebuild their lives with hope and self-reliance.
Guided by NAFOWA’s vision of “Strengthening Compassion, Empowering Communities,” the programme featured an empowerment lecture, interactive engagements and recreational activities designed to foster emotional healing, economic empowerment and stronger social support among participants. The event also provided an open platform for widows to engage directly with the NAFOWA leadership on welfare-related matters, reaffirming the Association’s commitment to ensuring that the families of fallen heroes remain valued, supported and closely connected to the Nigerian Air Force family.
The initiative reflects the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke’s vision of “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare,” which recognises that the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Air Force is strengthened when personnel are assured that their families will continue to receive care and support, even in the face of the ultimate sacrifice.
NAFOWA
By sustaining comprehensive welfare initiatives for the families of fallen personnel, the NAF continues to reinforce morale, strengthen fighting spirit and preserve the confidence of its personnel serving across all theatres of operation in defence of Nigeria.
Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association
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