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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Umahi, Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Others Grace Shekina and Shope’s Wedding in Lagos
It was a celebration of love, family, friendship and distinguished personalities in Lagos on Saturday, August 22, 2026, as Shekina Chidinma Umahi and Shope Alexandra Ayinde were joined in holy matrimony at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Powerlink Chapel, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
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Shekina, a niece of the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, is the daughter of Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Pastor Obi Abel Umahi, DSc, OFR, while Shope is the son of Commodore NN (Rtd.) Deacon Adebayo Abidemi Ayinde.
The wedding brought together governors, senior government officials, lawmakers, business leaders, traditional rulers, captains of industry, family members and friends from across the country to celebrate the young couple.
The Honourable Minister of Works, who also serves as the Deputy Director-General of Infrastructure, Mobilization and Sensitization of the 2027 APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, was present at the ceremony to celebrate with his niece and the families of the newlyweds and was joined by the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Dapo Abiodun, CON; and Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, who chaired the occasion.
In his opening remarks as Chairman of the occasion, Governor Alex Otti described marriage as a lifelong commitment and urged the newlyweds to embrace patience, understanding and tolerance as they begin their journey together.
With humour, the Abia State Governor stressed the permanence of marriage, telling the couple that they should approach their union with a strong commitment to making it work.
“I want to tell you in advance that I won’t be present and as such, I declare that this marriage is indissoluble,” he said.
In separate remarks, the parents of the bride and groom expressed gratitude and joy at witnessing the marriage of their children.
They praised Shekina and Shope for distinguishing themselves through their formative years and into adulthood, describing them as outstanding young people who had continued to make their families proud.
They prayed for God’s guidance, peace, happiness and prosperity in their marriage and wished them a fulfilling life together.
The Umahi family also formally welcomed the couple with the presentation of family gifts.
On behalf of the Umahi family, the Chairman of the Uburu Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Eze Laz Umahi, PhD, presented the gifts to the newlyweds.
The ceremony attracted a gathering of political leaders, statesmen and captains of industry.
Other governors present at the event included the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, represented by his deputy, Her Excellency Patricia Obila; Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Peter Mbah, represented by his deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Usman Ododo, represented by his deputy, Comrade Joel Oyibo; Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, represented by the Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Rt. Hon. Festus Ebea; and Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Chukwuma Soludo, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor.
Among the captains of industry, statesmen and
other distinguished personalities at the occasion were Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings; Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau of Public Procurement; Admiral Alison Madueke, GCON, former Chief of Naval Staff; Mr. Oliver Alawuba, Group Managing Director of UBA, represented by Chidi Okpara; Prof. Patrick Utomi; Mr. Adebiyi Olalekan, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lorelei Construction Limited; Engr. Solomon Dacree; Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, Chairman of Orient Global Limited; Chief Ifeanyi Clement Okorie, Chairman of Rock Results Group; and Barr. Chioma Nweze, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South East), among others.
The Ministry of Works was also represented at the ceremony, with the Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Goronyo; Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works; Hon. Akin Alabi, Chairman of the House Committee on Works; and Engr. Musa Saidu, Director of Highways, Bridges and Designs, among others, joining in the celebration.
Umahi, Sanwo-Olu
Other members of the Umahi family at the ceremony included HRH Eze Laz Umahi, PhD, Chairman of the Uburu Traditional Rulers Council; Barr. Roy Umahi, SAN, FCArb, of Roy and Associates; and Chief Austine Umahi (Anyanwu Igbo), Chairman of the Amino Kano University Board.
The wedding provided a memorable gathering of the two families, their friends and well-wishers, with guests celebrating the union and offering prayers and goodwill for a happy, peaceful and enduring marriage.
Francis Nwaze, FIPMD
Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media)
Sunday 23, 2026
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Economy
Nigeria’s Diversity is Our Strengthen, Unity Must Remain Our Greates Asset, Says Minister Mohammed Idris
Nigeria’s Diversity is Our Strengthen, Unity Must Remain Our Greates Asset, Says Minister Mohammed Idris
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has described Nigeria’s diversity as a source of strength, urging citizens to promote unity and mutual understanding, noting that what binds Nigerians together is far greater than what divides them.
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Idris stated this on Friday, August 14, 2026, when he attended the wake-keep of the late Ukandi Placidus Ugar Ogar in Obudu, Cross River State, alongside family members, friends, and dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey; former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade; Chief of Staff to the Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Emmanuel Ironbar; and the Cross River State Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang.
The late Ukandi Placidus Ugar Ogar, who died at the age of 76, was an elder brother to Senator Ayade and Dr. Frank Ayade.
The Minister said the gathering reflected the richness of Nigeria’s diversity and the ability of citizens from different backgrounds to unite in solidarity.
“What I have seen today is the diversity of Nigeria and how it can be further harnessed to promote unity in this country. Nigerians from all walks of life are Nigerians first. Therefore, we must celebrate them wherever they are,” he said.
While expressing condolences to the bereaved family, Idris noted that the occasion also provided an opportunity to honour a life that fostered unity among people.
“It is a moment of sorrow that he has passed on, but also a moment of gratitude that he lived a worthy life, one that helped bring people together,” the Minister said.
He called on Nigerians to continue to promote unity and shared values, while leveraging the country’s diverse cultures and traditions as assets for national development.
“We must strengthen our unity, uphold our shared values, and also see our diversity as a resource that can contribute meaningfully to the growth of our economy,” he said.
Mohammed Idris
Idris reaffirmed that Nigeria’s strength lies in its people and their collective ability to rise above differences in pursuit of the common good.
Rabiu Ibrahim, mnipr
Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation
Saturday, August 15, 2026
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EFCC FC Kano Wins Inter-Service Unity Cup, Defeats NAF FC 5-4
EFCC Football Club, Kano, has emerged champion of the Inter-Service Unity Cup after defeating NAF FC 5-4 on penalties in a thrilling final held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.
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The match initially ended 1-1 after regulation time.
The tournament was organised by the Coalition of Military and Paramilitary Agencies in Kano.
Speaking during his opening remarks at the final, the EFCC Kano Zonal Director, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, commended the organisers for bringing together various security agencies through sports.
“Unity is one of the fundamentals of law enforcement. Bringing ourselves together to have football and soccer events is one of the ways of building this unity,” he said.
The Zonal Director thanked the participating teams, service commanders and all attendees for finding time to share in the spirit of friendship and brotherhood. He also acknowledged the humility and character displayed by all players who reached the final stage, stressing that such values are integral to the ethos of the nation’s security services.
He reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to initiatives that promote unity, performance and cohesion among colleagues, friends, and brothers in service, and conveyed the Chairman’s appreciation for the invitation.
EFCC FC Kano
In addition to their football victory, the EFCC team also emerged champions in the tug of war challenge organised by the same coalition, which featured participation from agencies under the coalition.
The competition was held at the Sani Abacha Stadium on July 24, 2026, where the EFCC team won three battles on the same day, defeating the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
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