Crime
Court Sentences 2 Internet Fraudsters To Jail In Maiduguri
Court Sentences 2 Internet Fraudsters To Jail In Maiduguri
Court sentences 2 internet fraudsters to jail in Maiduguri. Justice K Dagat of the Federal High Court, Maiduguri, Borno State, on Monday, March 3, 2025 convicted and sentenced Chimdi Godson Izuogu and Chidera Precious Izuogu to various jail terms.
They were prosecuted by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on two separate count charges bordering on internet-related offences, money laundering and impersonation to an aggregate sum of N8,207,479.00( Eight Million, Two Hundred and Seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Seventy Nine Naira)
The charges read: “That you, Chimdi Godson Izuogu between 2022 and 2023 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did directly take possession of the aggregate sum of N 4,622,571.00 only into your Kuda Microfinance Bank Limited, account number 2024535085 and Opay with N389,852, account number 8141817415 account name Chimdi Godson Izuogu totaling N5,012,422 being the value for the United States of American Dollars and Euro denominated cash apps, pampay and gift cards that you fraudulently received which you knew or reasonably ought to have known is proceeds of your fraud or form part of proceeds of your unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
“That you, Chidera Precious Izuogu between 2022 and 2023 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did directly take possession of the aggregate sum of N 3,195,057.59 (Three Million One Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand , Five Seven Naira and Fifty Nine Kobo) only into your UBA account number 2152438098, Chidera Precious Izuogu being the naira equivalent of $2,508.00 and €1,103,028.85(Euros), the value for the United States of American Dollars and Euros denominated cash apps, pampay and gift cards that you fraudulently received which you knew or reasonably ought to have known is proceeds of your fraud or form part of proceeds of your unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
The defendants pleaded guilty to their separate charges when they were read to them, upon which prosecution counsel, S.O Saka prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Internet Fraudsters
Justice Dagat thereafter convicted and sentenced them to four years imprisonment on each count with the option of N100,000.00 fines as well.
He further ordered the forfeiture of iPhone 14 pro max, a blue Techno mobile phone, HP laptop, and the sum of N2,000,000.00 ( Two Million Naira only) as well as N1, 455,057.59( One Million, Four Hundred and Fifty Five Thousand, Fifty Seven Naira, Fifty Nine Kobo) and iPhone 13 pro max.
Other items forfeited to the government include iPhone 11 pro max and the sum of $100(One Hundred United States of American Dollars)
The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were arrested for defrauding foreign nationals through fake social media handles. They were charged to court and convicted.
Magistrate Court Issues Arrest Warrant For VeryDarkMan Over Defamation Case
Magistrate court issues arrest warrant for VeryDarkMan over defamation case. An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone 6 has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
The arrest order, issued on Thursday, follows a criminal defamation case filed by renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
In his ruling, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend and present VDM before the court to face the allegations leveled against him.
The court noted that VDM failed to honor a summons issued on March 5, instructing him to appear for the hearing.
Despite pleas from his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who requested permission to personally produce his client at the next hearing, the magistrate refused to revoke the arrest warrant.
VDM is accused of making defamatory claims against Chinwo on his social media platform, alleging her involvement in a contractual dispute over the alleged diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee).
Chinwo, refuting the allegations, presented documentary evidence to the court, including emails and payment receipts, to establish her innocence.
VeryDarkMan
Her legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, argued that VDM’s actions violate Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime Act (2015).
In addition to the criminal case, Chinwo’s lawyers have also filed a N1.1 billion lawsuit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
They are seeking a retraction, deletion, and public apology for the alleged defamatory statements.
Fuel Station Supervisor Arraigned Over Alleged N1.25m Theft
Fuel station supervisor arraigned over alleged N1.25m theft. A 22-year-old petrol station supervisor, Prosper Ese, was arraigned on Wednesday before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly embezzling N1,256,400 from his employer.
Ese, whose residential address was not disclosed, is facing two charges of theft and fraud but pleaded not guilty to both.
According to ASP Edet Ekpo, the prosecutor, the incident took place on March 2 at Arigbabuwo Petrol Filling Station, Oko-Afo, Badagry. Ese allegedly misappropriated N1,056,400 from sales proceeds and also fraudulently obtained N200,000 from one Aisat Folorunsho under false pretenses.
He was reportedly apprehended while attempting to escape from the station.
Court
The prosecution noted that the alleged crimes violate Sections 287 and 311 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Presiding over the case, Chief Magistrate N.A. Layeni granted Ese bail of N1 million with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the hearing to April 16.
Police Arrests Couple For Gun Running In Delta
Police arrests couple for gun running in Delta. Operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a couple, Joshua Bogbon Godwell and his wife, Uche Joshua, in Okpe Local Government Area over alleged involvement in gun running.
Acting on credible intelligence, officers raided their residence on March 9, 2025, at about 2:30 pm, recovering a locally fabricated Beretta pistol with a live round intended for delivery to a client in Sapele.
Confirming the arrest on Thursday, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, stated, “Following a coordinated sting operation, our officers apprehended the couple in Okpe LGA and seized a locally made Beretta pistol in their possession. The wife, Uche Joshua, admitted to delivering illegal firearms on behalf of her husband.”
Uche further confessed to having transported several arms to various clients in Warri and Sapele as instructed by her husband.
Syndicate Member Arrested
Further investigations led to the arrest of Junior Moses Ogedegbe, 30, from Useifurun community, Ughelli South LGA, suspected to be a member of the syndicate.
“Our operatives are intensifying efforts to recover more weapons and apprehend other members of the gang,” Edafe added.
Other Police Operations in Delta
In a separate operation, CP-SAT operatives arrested suspected cultists and armed robbers across the state, recovering:
Two pump-action guns
One Beretta pistol
One cut-to-size gun
24 live cartridges
On February 3, 2025, at about 1:45 pm, intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of a wanted cultist and gunrunner, Stephen Oma Odu, 25, from Obagho community, Warri North LGA, in Sapele town.
His confession led to the arrest of Abel Festus, aka Tompolo, 42, from Oghareki community, Ethiope West LGA. A search of Festus’ apartment uncovered two pump-action guns and 24 live cartridges.
During the operation, two other suspected cultists, Godspower Moses (alias Power) and Oloriode Owebe, 24, were also arrested.
Police investigations identified the suspects as members of the Vikings Confraternity, with further probes ongoing.
Guns
Suspected Kidnapper and Internet Fraudster Nabbed
In another operation, police arrested a suspected kidnapper and internet fraudster in Mosogar and its environs, recovering a cut-to-size gun.
On March 9, 2025, at about 6:30 am, a police raid in Jesse and Mosogar towns led to the arrest of Festus Oboyo, 26, from Igbopa community, Ethiope West LGA. A search of his residence uncovered a locally made gun with a single cartridge and an FBI impersonation document allegedly used for online fraud.
Further investigations resulted in the arrest of two suspected accomplices:
Favor Omowo (alias Voltage), 29, from Jesse town Gift Omowo, 26, from Jesse community
“We are actively tracking down other fleeing gang members and will not rest until all criminals are brought to justice,” Edafe assured.
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