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Calabar Court Jails Internet Fraudster, 4 Suspects Arraigned In Uyo

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Calabar Court Jails Internet Fraudster, 4 Suspects Arraigned In Uyo

Calabar court jails internet fraudster, 4 suspects arraigned in Uyo. The Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday May 12, 2025, secured the conviction and sentence of one internet fraudster Ogagarojo Godstime a.k.a Alex Gonzalex before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court Calabar, Cross River State.

Godstime was prosecuted on two count-charges bordering on criminal impersonation on the cyber space.

One of the charge reads, ‘That you, Ogagarojo Godstime (aka Alex Gonzalex ) “M” sometime in 2024, in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently present yourself as Marc Labelle on the social media with intent to gain advantage for yourself, did take possession of the aggregate sum of Four Hundred United Sate Dollars ($400) knowing that the money form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit; cyber impersonation and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act’

Godstime pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution counsel Khamis Mahmud to pray the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.

Mahmud also informed the court that the convict had restituted the sum of $400(Four Hundred United States Dollars) through the Commission. He also urged the court to grant a forfeiture of the convict’s iphone 11 to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

After listening to the prosecution, Justice Ojukwu convicted Godstime and sentenced him to twelve(12) months jail term on each count to run concurrently, or to pay a fine of N800, 000.00 (Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) and to forfeit the IPhone 11 device used in committing the crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In a related development, the Directorate also arraigned three suspected internet fraudsters and one foreign currency dealer before Justice Sergius Onah of the Federal High Court Uyo on Monday May 12, 2025.

The suspected internet fraudsters are; Inemesit Asuquo Bassey, Franklin Edet Eyo and Chukwudi Patrick Ahiahwo. The alleged illegal foreign currency dealer is Kassim Mohammed.

At the time of his arrest, Mohammed was in possession of various currencies such as; the United States Dollars USD, Philippines Dalawampung Piso, Japanese Nippon Ginko, Swaziland Emalangeni, Gambia Dalasis and Chinese Yuan, but had no valid license from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He pleaded guilty to a one- count charge preferred against him by the Commission for operating a Bureau de change business without an appropriate licence.

The charge reads: ‘That you, Kassim Muhammed “M” sometime in May, 2024 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a company duly incorporated in Nigeria and without a valid license granted to you by the Central Bank of Nigeria, did conduct business of other financial institutions to wit: Bureau de change and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 57 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020 and punishable under Section 57 (5) (b) of the same Act’.

In view of his ‘guilty’ plea, prosecution counsel, Barrister Joshua Abolarin prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant. “My Lord, may I apply that the defendant be convicted as charged due to his plea and the facts presented before this Honourable Court. Also, that the currencies tendered as exhibits be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria”, he said.

The defence counsel Chigozie Ogunji did not oppose.

Justice Onah adjourned the matter for judgment while the defendant was remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Service centre in Uyo.

Mohammed was arrested on Friday May 17, 2024 by Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Commission, at Aba in Abia State.

Similarly, Bassey also pleaded ‘guilty’ to the two-count charges preferred against him by the Commission for criminal impersonation and defrauding one Joy Thompson (a Hungarian) of the sum of €150 (One Hundred And Fifty Euros) using fictitious social media handles.

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Court

One of the charges reads; ‘That you, Asuquo Enemesit Bassey “M” sometime in 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court did take possession and control of £150 (One Hundred and Fifty Euros) intentionally knowing that the money formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit; obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an-offence contrary to Section 18(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and punishable under the Section 18(3) of the same Act’.

Justice Onah suspended judgment to May 22, 2025.

Franklin Edet and Chukwudi Patrick Ahiahwo plead ‘not guilty’ to the two counts and three counts charges bordering on internet fraud preferred against them respectively.

The court adjourned to June 2, 2025, for Edet’s trial, and May 15, 2025, for Patrick’s bail deliberations.

All the defendants were remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Service centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

Akwa Ibom

Governor Eno Approved ₦2.5b For Procurement Of Over 620,000 Oil Palm Seedlings For Farmers

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Umo Eno Unveils 2026 Roadmap Focus On Peace

Governor Eno Approved ₦2.5b For Procurement Of Over 620,000 Oil Palm Seedlings For Farmers

Governor Eno; I have approved ₦2.5 billion for the procurement of over 620,000 oil palm seedlings for distribution to farmers across the State, as part of our Tree Crop Revolution programme under the ARISE Agenda.

This initiative will be supported by extension workers to ensure proper planting and maximum yield, as we continue to drive agricultural productivity and food security.

At the March Delivery Meeting, I also reviewed reports on key projects across sectors and urged contractors to expedite work to ensure timely delivery in line with specifications.

Umo Eno Unveils 2026 Roadmap Focus On Peace

Umo Eno

We remain committed to driving development across all sectors, with the continued support of stakeholders whose contributions strengthen our collective progress.

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Akwa Ibom

‎Akwa Ibom City Boy Movement Begins Massive Mobilisation For Tinubu, Akpabio, Governor Eno

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‎Akwa Ibom City Boy Movement

‎Akwa Ibom City Boy Movement Begins Massive Mobilisation For Tinubu, Akpabio, Governor Eno

Akwa Ibom City Boy Movement. ‎The frontline political group, City Boy Movement, Akwa Ibom Chapter, has commenced a statewide mobilisation campaign in support of President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno ahead of their re-election bids.

‎The move comes weeks after a statewide rally in Uyo, where supporters gathered to demonstrate solidarity with the three Leaders.

‎Speaking on the development, the State Coordinator, Engr. Iboro Johnny, FNSE, said the mobilisation exercise is aimed at reaching rural communities across the state and will be carried out on a unit-by-unit basis across all 329 wards in Akwa Ibom.

‎Akwa Ibom City Boy Movement

‎Akwa Ibom City Boy Movement


‎Iboro explained that the campaign will feature awareness programmes and engagement sessions designed to highlight the achievements of the three leaders in their respective offices.

‎He added that the movement is focused on ensuring that eligible voters are adequately informed and actively engaged ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Akwa Ibom

Umo Eno Urges Stakeholders To Safeguard Educational Facilities, Distributes Materials, Sports Equipment

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Umo Eno

Umo Eno Urges Stakeholders To Safeguard Educational Facilities, Distributes Materials, Sports Equipment

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno,PhD has charged teachers, school administrators, and community stakeholders to take collective responsibility in protecting and maintaining the facilities and materials provided by government to ensure their durability and continued impact.

The Governor spoke when he flagged off the distribution of teaching and learning materials, as well as sports equipment, to basic education schools across Akwa Ibom State, reaffirming government’s commitment to strengthening foundational education.

The items, acquired by Akwa Ibom State Universal Basic Education Board(AK-SUBEB), in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), were distributed at the SUBEB Headquarters in Uyo to mark the first phase of the distribution exercise, to 75 primary schools and 33 junior secondary schools across the State.

Representing the Governor, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, applauded teachers for their resilience and unwavering dedication to nurturing young minds.

He noted that the present administration which places high premium on basic education has injected a counterpart funding of N3.5bn yearly to access UBEC projects and programmes.

He further urged pupils and stakeholders to remain appreciative of government efforts and to make judicious use of the materials provided.

Prof. Umoh described Governor Umo Eno as a visionary and education-friendly leader who has consistently prioritized the welfare of both teachers and students as a strategic pathway to academic excellence.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of AK-SUBEB, Rt Hon. Anietie Etuk, Ph.D, expressed profound appreciation to the Governor for his strong commitment to supporting education through collaboration with UBEC.

This, Dr Etuk said, has continued to yield positive outcomes in the basic education sector.

He highlighted the ongoing remodeling of primary schools across the 31 Local Government Areas as a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to revitalizing education at its foundation.

Dr. Etuk also extended gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his sustained federal interventions targeted at improving the learning environment for school children nationwide.

He noted that the current distribution exercise is part of such strategic interventions designed to bridge gaps and promote inclusive access to quality education.

Representing the UBEC Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, the South-South Director of UBEC, Mr. Ossom Akapn Ossom, commended the AK-SUBEB Chairman for maintaining high standards and effective coordination within the sector.

He assured stakeholders that UBEC remains committed to rolling out additional programmes and interventions to further strengthen basic education delivery.

The SSA to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso commended the Governor for his strong commitment to the education sector, noting that from his first day in office, he made it clear that massive investment in education would be a top priority.

Umo Eno

Umo Eno

He emphasized that the governor’s interventions are driven by genuine concern rather than public showmanship, explaining that his focus remains on ensuring that children learn in comfortable and well-equipped environments.

Dr. Ndueso, further encouraged parents to enroll their children in public schools, stressing that the standard of facilities and quality of teachers now surpassed what’s obtained in some private schools.

Other dignitaries, including the Permanent Secretary, AK-SUBEB, Dr. Roseline Etuk, the Permanent Secretary of the State Secondary Education Board, and Dean of Education Secretaries Mr John Ekefre, in their separate remarks, lauded the collaboration between UBEC and SUBEB.

They described the initiative as timely and impactful, while also commending Governor Umo Eno for his visible commitment to educational development.

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