Monthly environment sanitation exercise not yet reintroduced, says Lagos govt

The Lagos State Government has said that there will be no
restriction of movement on the last Saturday of June or any other
month.

Mr Biodun Bamgboye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Environment, made this known on Tuesday at Alausa, Lagos.

Bamgboye, therefore, urged residents to ignore rumours making
the rounds on the airwaves and the social media that it has
reintroduced the monthly environmental sanitation exercise and
vehicular restriction.

“There is no basis for the apprehension of some people that they
may have their businesses or social engagements disrupted by the
vehicular restriction between the hours of 7:00 a.m and 10:00 a.m,
the restriction period for previous environmental sanitation
exercise.

“One of the proactive measures undertaken by the governor on his
first day in office, was to sign an Executive Order that borders on
the declaration of zero tolerance for indiscriminate dumping of
refuse all over the state and did not include a restriction for
environmental sanitation exercise,” he said.

Bamigboye said the governor’s position is that the monthly
environmental sanitation exercise cancelled by the last
administration, would only be reintroduced after necessary
consultations and with the popular support of the majority of
Lagosians.

He said that the resolve of the present administration was to
ensure that machinery was put in motion to have a cleaner, safer
and sustainable environment for all the residents.

“The present administration in Lagos State is not unmindful of
the status of the state as the commercial nerve centre of the
nation and will ensure that the general public is duly notified if
and indeed when a decision is taken on the reintroduction of the
exercise,” he said.

(NAN)

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Internet Fraudster Forfeits N230m, Another Bags 35 Years
in Ilorin

Internet Fraudster Forfeits N230.6m, $80.59 To FG
Justice Saliu Sai’du of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi,
Lagos, on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, ordered the final forfeiture of
the sums of N210, 287, 697.45; N5, 320, 373.40; N15, 008,809.79 and
$80.59 about (Two hundred and Thirty Million Naira) belonging to
one Dehinbo Oluwatobi Reuben, an internet fraudster, to the Federal
Government.

Justice Sai’du had, on May 16, 2019, ordered an interim
forfeiture of the various sums of money, following an ex-parte
application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC.

In grating the application, Justice Sai’du had ordered the
applicant, the EFCC, to publish the interim forfeiture order in any
national newspaper for the respondent, Reuben, or anyone who was
interested in the sums of money to show cause why the money should
not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

In compliance with the order of the court, the Commission had
published the interim forfeiture order in The Nation newspaper and
subsequently filed a motion on notice dated June 19, 2019.

At today’s proceedings, the judge, upon hearing the applicant’s
motion on notice, supporting affidavit and written address, ordered
the final forfeiture of the various sums of money found by the
Commission in the various accounts of the respondent domiciled in
Guaranty Trust Bank to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The respondent, a member of a syndicate of fraudsters who
specialize in identity theft, wire fraud and mail fraud, had been
arrested following intelligence report received by the
Commission.

Investigation revealed that the syndicate obtained the stolen
Personal Identification Information of over 250,000 individuals in
the US and used the details to file fraudulent Federal and State
tax returns.

It was further revealed that the syndicate obtained monetary
value on the fraudulent tax returns, using prepaid cards registered
with the stolen information and third party bank accounts.

Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
……………….

Internet Fraudster Bags 35 Years in Ilorin
Justice M. Abdulgafar of a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin
on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 convicted and sentenced an internet
fraudster, Ajayi Temitope Charles to 35 years in prison without an
option of fine.

Charles was first arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, on March 13, 2019 for engaging in internet
fraud.

One of the five count charges against him reads: “That you,
Ajayi Temitope Charles, popularly known as Teresa Simons on or
about the 27th of February, 2019, in Ilorin within the jurisdiction
of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, had in your
possession document, which you knew contained false pretence, and
thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8(b) of the
Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and
punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

He had pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, prompting the
commencement of his trial.

However, at the end of the trial, Justice Abdulgafar ruled that
the EFCC proved its case against him, “beyond reasonable
doubts”.

The trial judge held that: “The evidence of PW1, Olamide Sadiq
was left unchallenged by the defendant, all the chats and text
messages were printed from his email address in his presence.

“I have considered the testimonies of the PW1, this honourable
court is of the opinion that the PW1 is a witness of truth, the
Accused Person indeed was in possession of fake documents, and the
prosecution has sufficiently linked the defendant to the email
address.”

Delivering judgement, Justice Abdulgafar, further rejected as
untrue, the testimony of the convict where he claimed that the
Police brought him to the office of the EFCC on the day of his
arrest following his inability to pay the money they requested
for.

“The story of the defendant being sent to the EFCC because he
did not pay bribe to the police could not hold water, he lied to
the court, I do not believe the evidence of the defendant, and the
prosecution has proved this case beyond reasonable doubt,” the
trial judge said.

Thereafter, Justice Abdulgafar pronounced him guilty as
charged.

Before sentencing, defence counsel, A.B. Bakare, in his
allocutus, appealed for mercy, and urged the court to temper
justice with mercy, stressing that his client was a first-time
offender.

Counsel for the EFCC, Ola Sesan, however, opposed the request
and urged the court to sentence him according to the provisions of
the law.

“Going by the provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and other
Fraud Related Offences Act, the minimum punishment for this type of
offence is seven years and maximum of 20 years, the court cannot
use its discretion outside the same,” he said.

Justice Abdulgafar, thereafter, sentenced him to seven years in
prison on each of the five counts. The sentence is to run
concurrently.

Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
………………………..

Court Jails Fraudster 7 yrs for defrauding EFCC Staff, another
Two yrs for Oil Scam

Justice H.J.O Oshomah of the Federal High Court sitting in Port
Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced Obinna James to
seven (7) Years imprisonment for conspiracy and false pretence with
intent to defraud an operative of the Economic And Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, to the tune of N450,000.00 (Four Hundred and
Fifty Thousand Naira).

In the same Court, another judge, Justice I. M Sani on Monday,
June 24, 2019 convicted two drivers: Mohammed Jidda and Mohammed
Isa and fined them N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) only each
for illegal dealing in petroleum, products.

While James was arraigned by the EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal
Office in September, 2012 on a three -count charge bordering on
conspiracy and false pretence with intent to defraud, Jidda and Isa
were arraigned by the Port Harcourt’s Zonal Office on Monday, June
24, 2019 on one count- charge each bordering on illegal dealing in
petroleum products.

One of the count charge against James reads: ” That you Obinna
James, Eddy Ogagu and others now at large on or about 7th day of
September, 2012 at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this
Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves and others now at
large to commit an offence to wit: Obtain by False Pretence
contrary to Section 8 (a) and read together with Section 9 (2) both
of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006
and punishable under the same Act”.

He initially pleaded “not guilty” at the point of arraignment,
thus necessitating his trial. However, he changed his plea to
“guilty” at the resumed hearing of the case and the judge convicted
and sentenced him to 7 years imprisonment.

Both the prosecuting counsel, Celestina Okorie and the defense
counsel, J. Osunpor agreed on the convict’s plea of “guilty”.

James got into trouble when he attempted to defraud an operative
of the EFCC in Port Harcourt and was arrested in the process of
collecting money from him. He contacted the operative on a phony
contract deal and the operative played along until he was
arrested.

Specifically, the convict requested for the sum of N450,000
under a false pretence that it will be used to purchase a sample of
an oil tool called “WHW TYPE 10A (Green Rock) allegedly needed by
Agip Oil Company in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Concerning Jidda and Isa, their arraignment was upon a petition
written to the EFCC by the Nigerian Army, 6 Division, Port
Harcourt, accusing them of conspiracy and illegal dealing in
petroleum products.

The count charge against them read: “That you Mohammed Jidda on
or about the 20th April, 2018 within the jurisdiction of this
Honourable Court without appropriate licence deal in petroleum
product to Wit: a Mack Tanker with registration number BAU 988 XR
loaded with adulterated Automated Gas Oil (AGO) 40,000 litres and
thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4(1) and
punishable under Section 4(6) of the petroleum Act CAP P10 of the
Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act, 2007”.

Both of them pleaded guilty on the one count charge preferred
against them.

In view of their “guilty” pleas, prosecuting counsel, F.O Amama,
urged the court to convict them accordingly. Defence counsel, M. M.
Suleiman did not object to Amama’s prayers but sued for mercy for
the convict.

Justice Sani convicted and sentenced them to a fine of One
Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) which is to be paid to the
Federal Government of Nigeria.

The two drivers’ journeys to prison began when they were
arrested by the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt for dealing in
petroleum products without being licensed. Jidda was caught with
40,000 litres of products confirmed to be adulterated Automotive
Gas Oil (AGO) while Isa was also caught transporting unspecified
quantity of products confirmed to be AGO.

Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity

Fraudster Bags Six months Imprisonment
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Benin Zonal
Office, on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 secured the conviction of
Igbinigie Eghosasere at the Federal High Court sitting in Benin
City, Edo State. Eghosasere was arraigned on a two count charge
bordering on impersonation.

Eghosasere is alleged to have impersonated Adriana Samuel and
Jeremiah Ikpomwonsa, an offence contrary to Section 22 (2)(b)(ii)
of the Cybercrime (prohibition prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and
punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.

One of the counts reads: “That you Igbinigie Eghosasere on or
about the 6th of May 2019 at Benin City within the jurisdiction of
the Federal High Court fraudulently impersonated Adriana Samuel and
thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(ii)of the
Cybercrime (prohibition prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable
under Section 22(2)(b)(iv)of the same Act”.

Upon his arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the
charge. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Kingsĺey Udus
prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant as contained
in the plea bargain agreement between the prosecution and
defendant.

Justice A. A. Demi-Ajayi convicted and sentenced Eghosasere to
six months imprisonment with a fine of N500,000.

He is also to forfeit an Infinix Smart 1 phone (Android)
recovered from him during investigation.

Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
………………….

EFCC Arraigns Suspected Fraudster over $12,000 Romance Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port
Harcourt’s Zonal Office on Monday, June 24 , 2019 arraigned
Aretuemhen Frank (a.k.a Williams Rodgers) before Justice M. L
Abubakar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt,
Rivers State on four- count charge bordering on false pretences,
impersonation, possession of scam documents and obtaining money by
false pretence contrary to Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and
other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3)
of the same Act.

Specifically, Frank was docked for allegedly defrauding an
American lady, Thorman Benson the sum of $12000 (Twelve Thousand
American Dollars) in series of online dating deals.

One of the count charges read: “That you Aretuemhen Frank, on or
about December, 2018, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the
jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently impersonated one
Max Allen, a United States of America soldier, with intent to gain
advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to
Section 22

(3) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act,
2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the four- count charge
preferred against him.

In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, Samuel Chime applied
for a trial date to open his case, while the defense counsel, P.O
Nworah, informed the court of an application for bail for his
client.

Justice Abubakar granted the applicant bail in the sum of
N1million and one surety in like sum. The surety must be a civil
servant residing within the jurisdiction of the court. The judge
also remanded him in EFCC custody pending the time he meets his
bail condition. He adjourned the matter to July 3, 2019 for
trial.

Frank’s ordeal began when Operatives of the EFCC, acting on
intelligence, raided his hide out and arrested him. An iPhone 6s
plus was recovered from him.

Investigation revealed that Frank was representing himself as an
American with the United States Army, using Max Allen as his
identity. With the fraudulent identity, he succeeded in defrauding
an American lady, Thorman Benson the sum of $12,000 by promising to
marry her.

Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
…………

Synergy Key in Anti-corruption Fight- Magu

The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, on Monday, June 24 stated that
collaboration was key in the fight against corruption. He also
urged all Nigerians to embrace the fight. “We need to appeal to all
Nigerians to take ownership of the fight against corruption,” Magu
said.
The EFCC boss stated this as the chairman and founder, Savannah
Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy & Development and former
External Affairs Minister, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari paid him a
courtesy visit in the EFCC corporate headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.
Magu further disclosed that efforts were being made by the
Commission to involve religious leaders in the anti-corruption
fight, noting that religious leaders were in position to speak to
their followers on the ills of corruption and the need to eradicate
it.
While appreciating the efforts of the Commission, Prof Gambari
stated that there was no alternative to the fight against
corruption and that it was a fight for everyone.

The former Minister disclosed that his organization was
committed to the anti-corruption mandate of the EFCC, adding that
“everybody must insist on doing what is right in order to overcome
corruption.”

Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity