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Fraud: 5 jailed over diversion of VSF N9.1m in Yola

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Fraud: 5 jailed over diversion of VSF N9.1m in Yola

Fraud: 5 jailed over diversion of VSF N9.1m in Yola

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Five staff of the Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA) in Yola has been convicted for 7 years each for diversion of foster care intervention funds amounting to N9.1 million.

Delivering judgement in the Upper Area Court 3 sitting in Yola, trial judge  Adamu Abbas convicted and sentenced the five Staff of CHEDA to 7 years each without an option of fine to correctional custody on the 19th of May 2022.

Trouble started for the five staff in 2016 when their Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA) received a grant of N2, 032,500.00 from the Victims Support Fund (VSF). 

This sum was for the implementation of the VSF Foster Care Project to facilitate Protection and Shelter for 150 orphaned children in 75 households in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State.

The amount of N1, 016,250.00 only was transferred to the organization in two tranches to cover administrative and operational cost. 

In addition, VSF transferred a sum of N2,100,000  to same organization on a Monthly basis for  10 Months (February 2017 to November 2017); being project cost meant for disbursement to 75 beneficiary households at N28, 000 each, per month. 

Each household had 2 Foster Children, and each child is entitled to N 14, 000.00 per Month to be used for the support of all children in the households. 

In addition, VSF transferred the sum of N50, 000.00 to the same organization monthly for their administrative usage.

This was also done for a period of 10 Months (February 2017 to November 2017), being the Monthly stipends for disbursement to 5 social workers at N10, 000 per Month.

The report of incomplete payment and nonpayment to the beneficiaries and social workers for certain number of Months however reached VSF in November 2017.

Also Read: Gov. Bello orders reopening of Abuja-Lokoja Highway blocked…

The allegations were further investigated by VSF team and confirmed by the beneficiaries and the key stakeholders to the project in the Gombi communities of Adamawa state before a final report.

The investigation further revealed that Gidado Yolde the Executive Director, through staff members like Mahmud Bello and Aisha Umul made full payment for 4 Months (February, March, July and November 2017), half payment for 3 Months (April, May and June 2017) and Non-payment for 3 Months (August, September and October 2017). 

The Finance Officer of CHEDA name withheld was also mentioned as being responsible for monetary activities of the organization but was conspicuously absent on the day VSF team visited the organization.

It was therefore discovered that a total amount of N9, 100, 000 has been diverted by the organization through the above mentioned persons. 

The 5 non state workers were accused of being complicit in the above stated case, namely Muhammed Yolde, Mahmud Bello, Atiku Hayatu, Aisha Siddiki, Ummul Aliyu and were sentenced to 7 years in correctional custody.

The convicts were yet to appeal the judgement as at the time of writing this report. 

Fraud: 5 jailed over diversion of VSF N9.1m in Yola

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Crime

EFCC Condemns False Narratives on Loss of Officer

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EFCC Condemns False Narratives on Loss of Officer

By: Dele Oyewale

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, expresses grief on the loss of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE II Aminu Sahabi Salisu who was killed in cold blood while on a legitimate duty on January 17, 2025 by a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu.

Additionally, the Commission views with great concern the irresponsible, callous, inhuman and outrageous narratives being circulated on social media on the whys and wherefores of the fatal accident. It is heinous to reduce the death of a gallant officer who was carrying out patriotic and official duties to social media razzmatazz.

More worrisome is the fact that some faceless commentators are pitching their tents with an alleged criminal who unleashed terror on officers of the EFCC in their line of duty. There is no justification whatsoever to rationalise a murderous act. The milk of human kindness demands that a grieving family, Commission and nation should be spared the shenanigans of false narratives and conjectures on the death of the slain officer.

Salisu, alongside other investigators of the EFCC, were at Dr. J.O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, to arrest some suspected internet fraudsters in the early hours of January 17. The operation was duly documented at the Anambra State Command Headquarters and Area Command of the Nigeria Police in line with operational protocols.

The operation was initially smooth sailing with 37 suspected internet fraudsters already arrested at a two-storey building housing Ikechukwu and other occupants of the house.

However, Ikechukwu, who sighted the investigators through a CCTV Camera mounted at his doorpost and who also confessed sighting them, declined to open his door for the investigators who politely demanded entrance to his apartment. Defying all the introduction and physical sighting of the investigators, he resorted to firing shots at them and killed Salisu in the process and wounded another officer detailed to conduct a search in his apartment.

Preliminary investigations showed that Ikechukwu was involved in coding and online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy. Two laptops, ipads, several recording devices were recovered from his apartment and his involvement in internet fraud is already established. Though currently in police custody owing to the murderous dimension of his case, the Commission will surely bring him to trial.

The EFCC also wishes to alert the public that the activities of internet fraudsters are becoming patently hazardous to public safety and security. Intelligence has shown that these criminals are carrying arms, involved in kidnapping, banditry, ritual killings and other deadly acts. The public should not fold its arms or allow itself to be deceived that they are mere “Yahoo boys and girls”.

As for the EFCC, every subsequent attack on any of its officers will be met with the force of the law. The Commission will not fold its arms and allow any of its officers to be killed again in cold blood. As a law enforcement agency of repute, the EFCC is unrelenting in riding the nation of internet fraud and other acts of corruption.

While mourning the loss of its officer who paid the supreme price in the service of the nation, the Commission appreciates the invaluable support, condolences and prompt response of sister agencies and well-meaning individuals standing shoulder to shoulder with it at this trying time.

EFCC Condemns False Narratives on Loss of Officer

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Crime

Soldier Arrested at Borno Express Terminal with Ammunition

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Soldier Arrested at Borno Express Terminal with Ammunition

By: Zagazola Makama

A soldier identified as Nathaniel Jeremiah, has been arrested by personnel of the 7 Division at the Borno Express Terminal Park in Maiduguri for illegal possession of ammunition.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that Jeremiah, who was on welfare pass and en route to Adamawa State, was apprehended while attempting to board a vehicle at the terminal.

During the routine search, security operatives discovered 89 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in his personal bag.

The soldier was immediately taken into custody for interrogation, and the recovered ammunition has been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.

Soldier Arrested at Borno Express Terminal with Ammunition

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Crime

Two Notorious Bandits Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u Killed rival clashes in Zamfara

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Two Notorious Bandits Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u Killed rival clashes in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

In another blow to banditry in Zamfara State, two notorious bandits, Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u, have been killed in separate encounters with rival bandit faction of Dogo Geide.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Malama that Kachalla Idi Mai Randa, a known bandit leader responsible for multiple attacks in the region, was killed in an ambush laid by rival bandit Dogo Geide on Sunday evening.

The attack occurred following a series of violent confrontations between the two factions. Idi Mai Randa had previously led an attack that resulted in the killing of Gide’s boy, prompting him to vow revenge.

Idi Mai Randa’s death comes days after the killing of Ya’u, another notorious bandit who had been previously captured in Tsafe Local Government Area.

Ya’u, a close ally of Idi Mai Randa, had been implicated in numerous attacks and was believed to be in possession of significant weaponry. Although Idi Mai Randa denied any involvement with Ya’u’s weaponry, it is now confirmed that both he and Ya’u have met their Waterloo, with the story of their deaths reported from their emclave early today.

The troops of Operation Fansan Yanma in collaboration with it Air Component as well as federal security forces, continue to make significant strides in dismantling bandit in their hideouts in the region.

The joint effort has already resulted in the deaths of several high profile bandit leaders and the capture of important assets.

Two Notorious Bandits Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u Killed rival clashes in Zamfara

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