Crime
N805m Scam: Finally, Senator Nwaoboshi Lands in Prison
N805m Scam: Finally, Senator Nwaoboshi Lands in Prison
By Michael Mike
The Senator representing Delta North in the National Assembly, Peter Nwaoboshi, who has been on the run months after the Court of Appeal Lagos Division convicted and sentenced him to 7 years imprisonment for money laundering, is finally in prison custody. The lawmaker who was intercepted by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at a Hospital in Lagos on Monday, February 6, was finally remanded in Ikoyi Custodial Centre today, February 8, 2023, to commence his prison term.
The Court of Appeal had in a judgement it delivered on July 1, 2022, sentenced him to prison after it convicted him on a two-count charge of money laundering and also ordered the winding up of his two companies, Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd and Suiming Electrical Ltd, in line with the provision of Section 22 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2021, and their properties forfeited to the Federal Government.
But the lawmaker who was not present in court at the time of the ruling, went underground and refused to present himself to the Nigerian Correctional Service. Instead, he proceeded to the Supreme Court, praying the apex court to not only set it aside the judgment of the appeal court but grant him bail, pending the determination of his appeal.
But in a unanimous decision on January 27, 2023, the apex court dismissed the application. In the lead judgement by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court wondered why Nwaoboshi, who refused to submit himself to the law, would seek the indulgence of the law.
Justice Tijani Abubakar, in his contribution, upbraided the Appellant for filing the bail application while on the run.
“We must make it very, very clear to all Nigerians that nobody is above the law. The government and the governed are subject to the rule of law. And, we must ensure that there is respect for the rule of law”.
The Court of Appeal judgement that convicted Nwaoboshi followed an appeal by the EFCC against the judgment of Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court in Lagos, which had on June 18, 2021, discharged and acquitted the lawmaker and his companies.
Nwaoboshi and his companies illegally acquired a property named Guinea House, Marine Road, in Apapa, Lagos, for N805 million. Part of the money paid for the property was transferred by Suiming Electrical Ltd on behalf of Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd. The funds are believed to be proceeds of illicit activities of the convict.
One of the counts reads: ” That you, Peter Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Projects Limited, between May and June, 2014, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did acquire a property described as Guinea House, Marina Road, Apapa, Lagos, for the sum of N805million, when you reasonably ought to have known that the sum of N322 million out of the purchase price transferred to the vendors by order of Suinming Electricals Limited formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of fraud and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act of 2011(as amended) and punishable under Section (15)(3) of the same Act.
N805m Scam: Finally, Senator Nwaoboshi Lands in Prison
Fugitive Wildlife Trafficker Arrested After Five Years on the Run
By: Michael Mike
A suspected wildlife trafficker, Shamsideen Abubakar, who had been on the run for five years, has been apprehended in a joint enforcement operation involving the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC).
Abubakar, who was previously declared wanted by the Federal High Court in Lagos, is believed to be a key figure in an international wildlife trafficking network. He had evaded arrest since September 2021, following a major crackdown that led to the arrest of his associates, Sunday Ebenyi and Salif Sandwidi.
That earlier operation, carried out by the WJC and NCS, resulted in the seizure of over 1,000 kilogrammes of pangolin scales in the Ikeja area of Lagos—one of the largest such seizures in the country, underscoring the scale of illegal wildlife trade operations linked to Nigeria.
Authorities say Abubakar’s eventual arrest highlights the persistence of Nigerian law enforcement agencies and their international partners in tracking down suspects involved in environmental crimes. It also reflects a sustained, intelligence-driven approach to dismantling trafficking networks operating across borders.
Reacting to the development, the Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, reiterated the agency’s commitment to eradicating wildlife crime in the country. He stated that Nigeria would not serve as a safe haven for traffickers, emphasizing that offenders would be pursued and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Barikor attributed the success of the operation to strong inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing, and coordinated enforcement efforts. He also called on members of the public to support authorities by reporting suspicious activities, warning that the era of impunity for wildlife crimes is over.
The arrest is seen as a significant blow to already weakened trafficking networks and sends a strong message that arrest warrants will continue to be enforced, regardless of how long suspects remain at large.
Nigeria has in recent years intensified its crackdown on wildlife trafficking, a crime that threatens biodiversity, undermines conservation efforts, and violates both national and international regulations. Authorities say the latest development reinforces the country’s zero-tolerance stance and its commitment to protecting endangered species.
Fugitive Wildlife Trafficker Arrested After Five Years on the Run
Troops Raid Hideout, Arrest Suspected IPOB/ESN Commander and Four Others in Ebonyi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), alongside four other suspects during a targeted raid in Ebonyi state.
Security sources told Zagazola that the operation was conducted at about 1:42 a.m. on April 21 by troops of Sector 2 under Operation UDO KA, following credible intelligence on the location of the suspect.
The sources said the raid targeted the hideout of a wanted suspect identified as Mr. Chinedu Igautu, also known by the alias “Calamity,” who is believed to be a commander within the IPOB/ESN structure operating in Delta State.
Further intelligence reportedly linked the suspect to an attack on police personnel at Okuku-Igbo in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State in February 2026.
According to the sources, troops stormed the hideout located in Nwofe community, Ebonyi Local Government Area, where the suspect and four others were apprehended without resistance.
Items recovered during the operation include five mobile phones and a motorcycle key.
Military authorities said the suspects are currently in custody for further interrogation and investigation.
They added that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal and separatist-linked networks operating within the South-East and adjoining states.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustained intelligence-led operations aimed at ensuring peace, security, and stability in all affected areas.
Troops Raid Hideout, Arrest Suspected IPOB/ESN Commander and Four Others in Ebonyi
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cultists in Imo
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested three suspected cultists following a distress call from a community vigilante group in Imo State.
Security sources Zagazola that the operation was carried out at about 9:00 p.m. on April 20 by troops of 24 Support Engineer Regiment deployed at a location in Onicha.
The sources said the troops responded to reports from members of the Onichibueze community vigilante, who raised alarm over suspected cultists allegedly harassing residents of the area.
“On receipt of the distress call, the troops swiftly mobilised to the community and apprehended three suspected cultists,” a source said.
The suspects were subsequently handed over to the police in Isu for further investigation and necessary action.
Military authorities commended the vigilance of community members and reiterated the importance of timely information sharing with security agencies.
They assured residents of continued collaboration with other security agencies to maintain peace and security across the state.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cultists in Imo
Troops Conduct Clearance Patrol, Dominate Tuba Axis in Borno
Troops Foil ISWAP Indirect Fire Attack on Gwoza, No Casualties Recorded
Army Reunites Rescued Women, Children with Families in Borno
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
