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Lagos Court Jails Applewood Estate Suspect for Gift Card Fraud

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Lagos Court Jails Applewood Estate Suspect for Gift Card Fraud

Justice Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on October 30, 2026, convicted and sentenced one Hassan Usman Olamilekan for offences bordering on money laundering.
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Olamilekan was convicted following his arraignment by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a one-count charge of money laundering, contrary to Section 18(2)(a) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The count reads:
“That you, Hassan Usman Olamilekan, sometime in 2026 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly disguised the origin of the sum of $800 (Eight Hundred United States Dollars) in gift cards, which sum forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(a) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022”.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, the facts of the case were reviewed by an EFCC operative, Ebuka Abanga. The court subsequently found him guilty and convicted him accordingly.

Justice Dipeolu sentenced to a fine of N200,000 and ordered him to remit the sum of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) to the Federal Government of Nigeria. He is to remain in the Correctional centre pending the payment of the fine and restitution.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of an iPhone 11 Pro and a Poco C71 mobile phone, being items recovered in connection with the offence.

Investigation revealed that Olamilekan, 18, who claimed to hail from the Republic of Benin but was born in Nigeria, was involved in lottery scams and operated several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Zangi and iMessage.

He reportedly met his victim, one Gary Brewer, a United States citizen, through the Zangi application, where he impersonated a white American woman identified as Julie Leach.

Olamilekan told the victim that he had won a lottery prize of $250,000,000 and needed money to activate the winnings before he could claim the prize. He subsequently persuaded the victim to send him gift cards through the Zangi application.

Court

EFCC, Court

The defendant admitted selling the gift cards through the Cardsonic application, converting them to Naira and transferring the proceeds to his grandmother’s OPay account. He confessed to benefiting from a total of $800 from the fraudulent scheme.

Olamilekan was among the 21 suspected internet fraudsters arrested by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC during a sting operation at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos State, on October 26, 2026.
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IGP Disu Receives UNOWAS Delegation, Reaffirms Commitment to Peaceful Elections

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UNOWAS

IGP Disu Receives UNOWAS Delegation, Reaffirms Commitment to Peaceful Elections

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, today, Tuesday, 3rd November 2026, received a delegation led by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr Leonardo Santos Simão, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. The engagement focused on the Force’s preparedness for the 2027 General Elections and measures to support a peaceful, secure and inclusive electoral process.
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In his remarks, Mr Simão explained that the visit provided an opportunity to discuss election-security preparations against the backdrop of security challenges in West Africa and the Sahel. He stressed the importance of preventing political competition from escalating into violence and sustaining public confidence in the impartiality of the Police. He also sought updates on lessons from previous elections and arrangements for the protection of vulnerable voters, including internally displaced persons.

Responding, the IGP noted that lessons from previous elections, including off-cycle polls, were informing the Force’s operational planning and training programmes. He highlighted ongoing training for Police personnel and officers from other security agencies to strengthen coordination, improve election-security management and address the security needs of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

The IGP further outlined ongoing threat assessments across Police formations to guide deployment and targeted security operations. He noted that the Force is working with other security agencies to address threats in vulnerable areas, with particular attention to providing a secure environment for internally displaced persons to exercise their electoral rights.

UNOWAS

UNOWAS

He also highlighted collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to support the timely and secure distribution of electoral materials. He explained that this engagement, together with joint training and improved coordination among security agencies, formed part of broader efforts to strengthen preparedness and ensure the effective discharge of election-security duties.

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to professional and impartial policing, sustained inter-agency cooperation and constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders towards ensuring a safe environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights.

CSP ANI INIEDU, anipr
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
3rd November, 2026
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Ebonyi Community Joyfully Welcome Umah? Hail Tinubu’s Infrastructure Development Across Nigeria

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Ebonyi Community Joyfully Welcome Umah? Hail Tinubu’s Infrastructure Development Across Nigeria

It was an extraordinary homecoming in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of State, as residents turned out in large numbers to give the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, a surprise, unofficial and colourful reception organised spontaneously by the people following his series of stakeholders’ engagements in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital on November 2, 2026.
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It was a gathering of people who came from different communities across Uburu and Ohaozara to welcome their illustrious son and express appreciation for his contributions to national development under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

The atmosphere was charged and filled with excitement as residents gathered to demonstrate their affection for the former Governor of Ebonyi State, whose appointment as Minister of Works has continued to attract attention to the wider South East.

For the people, the homecoming was a moment to acknowledge what they described as the confidence President Tinubu has reposed in Senator Umahi by entrusting him with one of the country’s most demanding ministerial responsibilities and he is performing excellently.

Among those who addressed the gathering were Onu Okorie, Prince Mathew, Comr. Kingsley Obini, and other prominent stakeholders. They spoke separately, expressing their appreciation for Senator Umahi’s service and the importance of the opportunities President Tinubu had given their son to contribute to national development.

In their individual remarks, they expressed the feelings of pride among the people of Uburu and Ohaozara, particularly over the Minister’s present responsibility for federal road infrastructure across the country. They also spoke about the importance of sustaining development efforts and ensuring that the South East continues to benefit from federal infrastructure investments which informed their reason for overwhelming support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.

Of particular importance to them was the attention being given to federal roads and bridges in the South East, a region where poor road conditions have remained a major concern for residents, motorists, traders and businesses over the years.

The residents commended President Tinubu for appointing Umahi to the Federal Executive Council, describing the appointment as an opportunity for their son to contribute his experience in infrastructure development to national service.

They overwhelmingly declared their commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election, linking their decision to his administration’s infrastructure investments and the opportunity given to Senator Umahi to contribute to the development of the country.

Ebonyi

Ebonyi

The remarkable reception came after Senator Umahi’s engagements with stakeholders in Abakaliki, where political and developmental issues affecting Ebonyi State and the wider country had formed part of his activities.

Francis Nwaze, FIPMD
Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media)
November 3, 2026
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2027: Eno, Akpabio, Shettima Lead APC Campaign Mobilisation in Calabarx

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Shettima

2027: Eno, Akpabio, Shettima Lead APC Campaign Mobilisation in Calabar

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on Monday, November 2, 2026, joined Vice President Kashim Shettima and other prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s national campaign rally held in Calabar, Cross River State, as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Governor Eno led a delegation from Akwa Ibom State to the U.J. Esuene Stadium, venue of the rally, where he joined the Vice President, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other APC chieftains in mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s candidates.
The rally attracted top government officials, party leaders, stakeholders and thousands of APC supporters from across the region, who gathered to demonstrate their commitment to the party’s political aspirations ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

Shettima

Umo Eno

The presence of Governor Eno and Senate President Akpabio further highlighted the involvement of prominent South-South political leaders in the APC’s ongoing mobilisation efforts.
The U.J. Esuene Stadium was filled to capacity, with enthusiastic party faithful and supporters turning out in large numbers to participate in the rally and reaffirm their support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid and other APC candidates.

The event formed part of the party’s broader nationwide campaign and mobilisation activities aimed at strengthening its political structures and consolidating support ahead of the 2027 elections.
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