Crime
Alleged N950M Fraud: Court Adjourns Trial Of Young Alhaji Foundation Promoter
Alleged N950M Fraud: Court Adjourns Trial Of Young Alhaji Foundation Promoter
Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on June 19, 2023, adjourned till June 23, 2023 further hearing in the trial of one Alhaji Usman Abubakar over an alleged N950m fraud.
Abubakar, alongside Young Alhaji Foundation, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a five-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N950 million.
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when he was first arraigned on February 22, 2023.
At today’s proceedings, the first prosecution witness, PW1, Adeniyi Oyewole, Managing Director, Ano Farms Limited, under cross-examination by counsel for the first defendant, Greg Anumenechi, again, asserted that the said Fawaz forwarded the account details of the second defendant to him.
He testified further that he is an ex-banker who, during his time in the banking sector, dealt in FOREX(foreign exchange).
During the proceedings, the defence sought to tender in evidence the original copies of two statements made by the witness to the EFCC in the course of the investigation.
However, the prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, raised an objection to the admissibility of the statements.
“It is inadmissible, my lord, because it can only be for contradiction; and the defence has not pointed out any contradictions in his testimony,” he said.
The objection was sustained by the court.
According to him, the account details of the second defendant was forwarded to him by Fawaz via WhatsApp.
He also affirmed that he was the one who applied that a lien be placed on the said account in which the N950 million was credited into.
“Yes, I’m the one that applied that a lien be made because I suspected the transaction, and I also initiated a recall. I did it through my bank,” he said.
He testified further that Fawaz told him that the account holder was angry that there was a lien on the account.
“Dr. Fawaz said his bosses were also angry, and that the second defendant had been instructed to return the money,” he said.
He said he told Fawaz that if he received the equivalent in Dollars, as agreed, he would apply that the lien be taken off.
He further noted that it was an audio conversation he had with Fawaz, and that it was already before the court as an exhibit.
The case was adjourned till June 23, 2023 for continuation of trial.
Alleged N950M Fraud: Court Adjourns Trial Of Young Alhaji Foundation Promoter
Kidnappers abduct young man in Abuja estate, shoot fiancée
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen have abducted a young man during an attack on a private residence at Leisure Court Phase 1 Estate, located under Aco Division in Abuja.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday at about 12:01 a.m., when the attackers gained access into the residence of Mr. Olusoji Litan on Mike Ekere Street.
Sources said the gunmen kidnapped Mr. Litan’s son, Oladeji Emmanuel, who had just arrived Abuja to visit his parents on Friday, Nov. 9.
During the attack, Emmanuel’s fiancée, identified as Amanda, sustained gunshot injuries on both thighs.
Following a distress call received at about 12:25 a.m. from the Chief Security Officer of the estate, police patrol teams, working with hunters and vigilantes, were deployed to the scene.
Three expended 7.62mm ammunition shells were recovered from the compound.
Amanda was immediately evacuated to Lawrence Margaret Teaching Hospital, River Park Estate, where she is receiving treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.
Sources said efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing kidnappers and rescue the victim.
The case is being handled by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
Kidnappers abduct young man in Abuja estate, shoot fiancée
Gunmen abduct FRSC officer, neighbour in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen have abducted a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) personnel and another resident in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Zagazola learnt that the attack occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Nov. 9 at Asa 1, Otobi Akpa Road, Otukpo.
According to sources , armed men numbering about five stormed the residence, broke down the door, and forcefully took away the FRSC officer, identified as Oketa Ejembi, along with a neighbour whose identity was yet to be established at the time of filing the report.
The son of the victim, Daniel Oketa, reported the incident to the police at about 9:43 p.m.
Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer mobilised a patrol team alongside tactical units to the scene.
The command said efforts were ongoing to track the suspects and rescue the victims unhurt.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has commenced investigation
Gunmen abduct FRSC officer, neighbour in Benue
Over 50 fighters reportedly killed as Boko Haram factions clash with ISWAP in Abadam
By: Zagazola Makama
A deadly clash between the factions of Boko Haram the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunna lid-Da‘wa wa’l-Jihād (JAS) and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) has resulted in the reported death of more than 50 fighters at Toumbun Gini, an island community in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the clash occurred on Sunday afternoon around 3 pm, following an attempted offensive by ISWAP fighters.
According to the source, ISWAP mobilised fighters using 10 high-powered watercraft and launched an attack aimed at reclaiming the island, believed to have recently fallen under the control of the rival JAS faction.
However, intelligence reportedly reached JAS leadership ahead of the assault, enabling them to set up a counter-ambush.
At exactly 1500 hours, ISWAP boats landed and what was planned as a surprise offensive quickly turned into a deadly trap. The first shots were decisive. JAS fighters overpowered them within minutes. ISWAP was routed,” the source said.
The source said over 50 ISWAP fighters were killed during the ambush, with seven of their boats seized. The remaining three vessels escaped with casualties. Video clips appearing to show the aftermath of the clash surfaced online on Sunday.
Zagazola described the clash as Day 5 of intensified rivalry between the two insurgent factions, which have been fighting over territorial dominance and control of resources in the Lake Chad islands.
The continued push by JAS against ISWAP could force surviving ISWAP fighters deeper into mainland communities bordering Kukawa, Monguno and Marte LGAs, increasing security risks for civilians and security personnel.
The rivalry has however, weakened both factions, reducing their ability to launch coordinated large-scale attacks. However, this fragmentation also poses a different challenge: smaller, unpredictable cells that are harder to track.
What is happening on Lake Chad today is a conflict within a conflict and Nigerian troops remain in the middle of the battlefield. The fighting could be leveraged strategically by intensifying pressure on both groups simultaneously.
“This is the best time for the Nigerian military to tighten the corridor and deny both factions space to regroup,”said Zagazola.
Over 50 fighters reportedly killed as Boko Haram factions clash with ISWAP in Abadam
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