EFCC Arraigns Two In Court For N143m Fraud In Benin-City

EFCC arraigns two in court for N143m fraud in Benin-City. The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday February 17, 2026, arraigned two suspected fraudsters, Kelvin Usiholo and Osaigbovo Aikoriogie before Justice B. O. Quadri of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City.

The duo and others now at large were arraigned on a three -count charge of obtaining the sum of N143 million under false pretence.

Kelvin Usiholo, acting as a lawful attorney for Eghosa Aikorogie had through a firm of legal practitioners petitioned the Commission alleging that Osaigbovo Aikorogie defrauded Eghosa Aikorogie of large sums of money in a business transaction. However, during investigation by the Commission, it was discovered that the source of the fund was fraudulent and that both the complainant and the suspect were part of a syndicate who specialise in defrauding innocent people including foreigners of their hard earned money.

Upon conclusion of investigations, both were arraigned on a three count charge of money laundering and obtaining by false pretence.
Count one of the charges reads:
“That you KELVIN USIHOLO, OSAIGBOVO AIKORIOGIE, EGHOSA AIKOROGHIE (AT LARGE), JUNIOR IGBINOVIA (AT LARGE), BOBBY OSARETIN (AT LARGE) AND OTHERS (AT LARGE) sometime in 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did conspire among yourselves to commit an offence to wit Money Laundering and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under section 18(3) of the same Act.”

EFCC

Count two reads:
“That you KELVIN USIHOLO, OSAGBOVO AIKORIOGIE AND OTHERS (AT LARGE) sometime between April and May 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did indirectly take possession or control of the aggregate sum of N143,000,000: 00 (One Hundred and Forty-three Million Naira) transferred into Account No: 3088191477 domiciled in First Bank Plc operated by you which funds you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful acts and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 (as Amended) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them prompting the prosecution counsel, Immaculate Elodi to pray the court to fix a date for trial.

Justice Quadri adjourned the matter to February 27 for hearing of the bail application.

Cyberbullying: Gabon Suspends Social Media Platforms For ‘Spreading False Information’

Cyberbullying: Gabon suspends social media platforms for ‘spreading false information’. Gabon has announced the suspension of social media platforms, citing the “spread of false information”, “cyberbullying” and the “unauthorised disclosure of personal data”.

Jean-Claude Mendome, spokesperson for the High Authority for Communication (HAC), said online content has fuelled conflict and deepened divisions in the country.

“These actions are likely, in the case of Gabon, to generate social conflict, destabilise the institutions of the Republic, and seriously jeopardise national unity, democratic progress, and achievements,” Mendome said in a statement on Tuesday evening.

He noted that the suspension would last “until further notice” but did not specify which platforms would be affected.

WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok are popular in the French-speaking Central African country.

Digital blackouts are frequently used in Gabon to control information.

The latest suspension comes as the Gabonese government faces growing protests over the high cost of living.

In December, school teachers began striking over pay and working conditions, with protests over similar grievances spreading to other public sectors, including health and education.

Gabon Suspends Social Media

Brice Nguema, former Gabon junta leader, won the presidential election last April, two years after his coup ended more than five decades of Bongo family rule.

He pledged to reform Gabon, and allowed foreign and independent media to film the ballot count.

Court Jails Woman Five Years For Investment Fraud In Kano

Court jails woman five years for investment fraud in Kano. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentence of one Janet Theophilus Danjuma before Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court sitting in Kano for investment fraud to the tune of N22,350,000 (Twenty-Two Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).

The defendant was arraigned on Monday, February 16, 2026, on a one-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretense.

Count one of the charge reads: “That you Janet Theophilus Danjuma being a staff of Taj Bank Limited, Nai’bawa Branch Kano, sometimes in October, 2024 in Kano, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N22,350,000 (Twenty-Two Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) from Wade Bamaiyi, under the pretext that the money will be invested in CASA Program of Taj Bank Limited which pretense you knew to false and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offenses Act 2006 and Punishable Under section 1(3) of the same Act.

Upon her arraignment, the charge was read to the defendant to which she pleaded guilty.

Following her guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, Sadiq Huseini, reviewed the facts of the case, detailing how the defendant deceived her victims by exploiting the name of a legitimate financial product to gain their trust. He urged the court to convict the defendant accordingly as prescribed by law.

Consequently, Justice Shuaibu convicted and sentenced Danjuma to five years imprisonment without an option of a fine.

Court Jails Woman

Danjuma bagged his imprisonment when he fraudulently induced her victims to invest a total of N22,350,000 in a non-existent investment scheme, falsely claiming she would channel the funds into the Taj Bank CASA (Current Account Savings Account) program. However, investigation by the Commission traced all the monies to her personal account. She was charged to court and convicted.

Dele Oyewale

Head, Media & Publicity