TodayPrice

Category: Law and Crime

  • Video: Air Force, policemen in free-for-all over drug suspect

    Video: Air Force, policemen in free-for-all over drug suspect

    The personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigerian Air Force (NPF) recently clashed at a checkpoint in Jeddo, Delta State.

    Clarifying the cause of the altercation in a post on X.com on Thursday, the state police spokesperson, SP Edafe Bright, stated that the incident occurred when policemen were transporting a suspect found in possession of substances suspected to be codeine, Indian hemp and Canadian loud.

    However, upon reaching the checkpoint, Air Force personnel, who were allegedly acquainted with the suspect, intercepted the police officers and demanded his release.

    “The policemen attached to QRS were on their way with a suspect found in possession of substances suspected to be codeine, Indian hemp, and Canadian loud,” Edafe wrote. “But Air Force personnel, who happened to know the suspect, intercepted them and insisted that the policemen release him before proceeding. When the officers refused, the Air Force personnel attacked them unprovoked.”

    Describing the clash as unfortunate, Edafe assured the public that the situation was being addressed.

    He wrote: “This issue is being handled. We recognise the cordial relationship we have with the Nigerian Air Force in Delta State. The Delta State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, and the Air Force authorities are looking into the incident and putting measures in place to ensure that such a shameful event does not happen again.”

    Authorities have yet to disclose whether any disciplinary actions will be taken against those involved in the altercation.

  • As varsity dons go to jail for electoral fraud

    As varsity dons go to jail for electoral fraud

    The Akwa Ibom office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has made outstanding contributions to the growth of our democracy, being about the only one out of its 37 peers in the Federation to put two crooked professors in jail for electoral fraud.

    The convicted professors are Peter Ogban, professor of Soil Science, who has completed his three-year sentence for manipulating the result of the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District in favour of Senator Godswill Akpabio (All Progressives Congress, APC) in 2019 after the latter was defeated by Christopher Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Ironically, while the professor was being prosecuted, Akpabio had publicly disowned him.

    On February 5, 2025, Justice Bassey Nkanang also jailed Ignatius Uduk, a professor of Human Kinetics at the University of Uyo, for announcing and publishing false results during the 2019 general elections in the Essien Udim State Constituency. During his trial, Uduk employed the usual tricks perfected by suspects in efforts to escape justice – refusal to appear in court, asking the judge to recuse himself over alleged bias, suddenly falling ill and being brought to trial in wheelchairs.

    Despite all these, the long arm of the law still caught Uduk and brought him to book.

    It is hardly surprising that the Akwa Ibom INEC was able to achieve these elite convictions. Mike Igini, a lawyer and notable, irrepressible patriot, was the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Akwa Ibom who pursued these cases at the risk of his very life. ident of the Nigerian Senate.

    We urge Igini not to be disheartened. He has set a standard worthy of emulation. We are convinced that the nation will still remember him when we are finally ready to move forward.

    It is so unfortunate that the romantic experiment of involving officers of our ivory towers in a bid to give Nigeria an enviable democratic model has largely failed. Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, had started this experiment during his Transition to Civil Rule Programme in the late 1980s, by appointing Professor Eme Awa as Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, NEC.

    Following Eme Awa’s resignation, Babangida appointed Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who went on to give Nigeria the freest and fairest elections on June 12, 1993. Today, apart from Professor Nnenna Oti of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, who refused to compromise as the Abia State Returning Officer in the 2023 general elections, most professors have betrayed the confidence reposed on the elite of the supposed ivory tower.

    We call on our judicial officers to emulate the firmness and integrity of the Akwa Ibom judges and give justice to whom it is due.

    Otherwise, our democracy will only produce crooked leaders.

  • Alleged threat to life: Court orders substituted service of summons on Army, COAS

    Alleged threat to life: Court orders substituted service of summons on Army, COAS

    ABUJA—A Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, ordered the service of a fundamental rights abuse suit against the Nigeria Army and seven others, via substituted means; by placing the court documents on any newspaper with a wide circulation in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

    Trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik made the order while ruling on an ex-parte application by the plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Ambrose Akhigbe, an Assistant Director in Command Secondary School, Ipaja, Lagos.

    The plaintiff had brought the suit against the Nigeria Army, the Chief of Army Staff, General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Commandant, Command Day Secondary School, Lagos, Lieutenant Akabor, Private Sani, Private Ahmed and Private Montero, who are 1st to 8th respondents respectively, over alleged threat to life, assault, battering, maltreatment amongst others.

    At the hearing in the matter, yesterday, plaintiff’s lawyer, Mr. Wayne Elijah, informed the court that the bailiff has not been able to serve the court’s documents on the respondents hence, would be asking the court to make an order directing the service through substituted means by pasting same on the notice board of the Federal High Court and sending scanned copies to the respondents’ email.

    Justice Abdulmalik, however, in her ruling observed that the respondents not being staff of the Federal High Court would not be able to see the court documents and rather ordered the service through newspaper publication.

    She subsequently fixed hearing of the matter on May 5, adding that service of hearing notices be served on all respondents.

    In the suit filed November last year, plaintiff alleged that the respondents, particularly the 5th, 6th and 7th respondent violated his right when they beat him up and nearly killed him for allegedly making videos of inhumane punishments meted out on the SSS3 girls, who were asked to roll on muddy, dirty water.

    “The 5th respondent then suggested we all report to the commandant office to resolve the issue which I agreed to and while I led the way in walking down to the Admin Block, the 6th, 7th and 8th respondents acting on the instructions of the 5th respondent, battered me from behind with the sole aim of killing me as they were saying “We will kill you today you bastard” as they continued to assault me targeting my face and neck using plank, koboko, sticks, pipe canes, irons and their fist punch.

    “Video evidence of this brutalisation on me by the respondents is herein attached and marked V1 in Exhibit Flash A series.”

    The plaintiff claimed that the beatings and attempted murder led to ceaseless flow of blood from the skull of his head which led to the immediate cease of academic activities in the school as all civilian staff staged a protest in solidarity to the oppression he faced against the respondents.

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    He said the 4th respondent, who immediately handed over the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th respondents to the military police to be kept in custody pending investigation, also took responsibility for the medical bills of N65,000 and another N115,000.

    “That shortly after the incident, my union body “Association of Senior Servants Civil of Nigeria” served the respondents with a letter of demand wherein several demands including the adequate compensation for me was demanded for,” he stated.

    He is praying the court for “An order directing the respondents jointly and severally to pay the Applicant the sum of N500 million only as compensation for the gross infringement of the applicant’s fundamental right guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “An order directing the respondents jointly and severally to pay the applicant the N50 million as costs of this action.”

  • Court adjourns trial of Chinese nationals to March 5

    Court adjourns trial of Chinese nationals to March 5

    Trial of some Chinese nationals, apprehended in December by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for employing Nigerian youths on identity theft and cybercrime activities suffers set back, yesterday, as defendants reject an interpreter.

    Justice Ayokunle Faji adjourned the the trial till March 4 and 5 to get a preferred interpreter.

    The defendants are Zhao Ying Bin,Yuzi a.k.a Wei Xuehuan, Zhang Yang, Weng Zhi Cheng and Genting International Co. Limited.

    The prosecution counsel, Hannatu Kofanaisa had informed the court that the business of the day was to commence trial and subject to the convenience of court, she was ready to proceed with the trial.

    However, defence counsel,  N. Abraham urged the court to adjourn trial to another date in order to comply with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which says that every defendant must be given adequate   facilities to its defence.

    Consequently, Justice Faji adjourned till March 4 and 5, for the commencement of trial.

    EFCC had on February 6,  arraigned the defendants over allegations that on December 11, 2024, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the court willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems organised to seriously destabilise the constitutional structure of Nigeria, which prohibits and prevents cyber and related crimes employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain financial advantage.

    The offence is punishable under section 18 of the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act, 2015. (Amended, 2024).

    The anti graft agency also said that Zhao Ying Bin, made a false statement by introducing yourself as “Lisi Chuan” on your Telegram Account, knowing same to be false and with intent that the representation is relied upon for the purpose of procuring the issuance of financial instrument to your employer.

    According to EFCC, the offence is punishable under Section 22(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act.

  • Video: Akwa Ibom policemen assault pregnant woman over 3rd Party Insurance

    Video: Akwa Ibom policemen assault pregnant woman over 3rd Party Insurance

    A trending video is generating anger in Akwa Ibom State, as it shows policemen, suspected to be men of the Itam Police Division, assaulting a pregnant woman over enforcement of policy.

    Shared of Facebook by Mayor Sylvester, the post bemoaned the policemen’s action. In the video, they dragged the alleged vehicle insurance defaulter until she collapsed on the ground.

    Mayor Sylvester wrote: “This is what the Itam Police Station in Akwa Ibom State has turned the Third Party Insurance thing into.

    “They are now acting like animals. These are the kind of irresponsible characters recruited into the force.

    “Imagine how a pregnant woman is being roughhandled. I just hope her baby is still alive.

    “If the police want to enforce and ensure every vehicle has third party insurance, why not get the insurance company’s representative to be assigned to every police checkpoints?

    “So at the time you discover that the insurance of a car has expired, you easily direct the fellow to meet the broker right where you are and renew the insurance and if that is not possible, you take the car to the station.”

    Police mum

    Attempts to reach the CP Bala Mohammed Azare, Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom Command, and the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Tifon John, through calls and text enquiry could not yield any feedback at the time of filing this report.

    The scene created by the development attracted a crowd of sympathisers.Many were heard asking why the Police would get so violent on the woman.

  • Lagos uncle remanded in prison for allegedly defiling 9-yr-old niece

    Lagos uncle remanded in prison for allegedly defiling 9-yr-old niece

    A Magistrate Court sitting in Oyingbo, Ebute Metta, Lagos, has remanded a suspect (names withheld) in Kirikiri Correctional Facility over the alleged defilement of his 9-year-old niece (names withheld), an incident reportedly committed in the Ayobo area of the state.

    The suspect’s arrest followed a distress call on social media from a popular comedienne and child rights advocate known as Princess, regarding the alleged defilement.

    In response, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) took swift action and arrested the suspect for prosecution.

    Commenting on the incident, Titilola Adeniyi-Vivour, the Permanent Secretary of the DSVA, stressed that the agency will continue to reinforce its commitment to ensuring justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

    Adeniyi-Vivour recalled, “On January 31, 2025, the agency received a distress call from popular comedienne and child rights advocate, Princess, regarding the alleged defilement of a 9-year-old girl by her uncle, a carpenter residing in Ayobo.”

    Upon receiving the report, DSVA immediately escalated the case to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Ayobo Police Station. That same night, the survivor was rescued and placed in a safe shelter through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development (MYSD) and referred for medical attention, while the alleged perpetrator was taken into custody.

    The case was subsequently transferred to the Gender Desk for further investigation.

    On February 7, 2025, the case was heard at the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court, Oyingbo, before Magistrate O.M. Ajayi. The charges were read in court, and the alleged perpetrator pleaded not guilty.

    As a result, the Magistrate ordered his remand at Kirikiri Correctional Facility pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). The case has been adjourned to February 19, 2025.

    “DSVA remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that survivors receive the support and justice they deserve. We urge members of the public to report cases of domestic and sexual violence through our toll-free helpline 08000-333-333 or via our social media platforms,” Adeniyi-Vivour stated.

  • Police detain two suspects for alleged robbery in Kogi

    Police detain two suspects for alleged robbery in Kogi

    The Police Command in Kagi has apprehended two suspects for alleged robbery in Lokoja.

    In a statement on Friday, the spokesman of the command, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, said that operatives of the command apprehended the suspects on Thursday during a third-party insurance enforcement exercise in the state.

    He said the suspects (names withheld) were intercepted by operatives of the Ayingba Police Division along Harbour Bay–EGUME Road while riding a motorcycle and exhibiting suspicious behaviour.

    “Upon interrogation, the suspects failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for their movements, and they were searched.

    “Surprisingly, the police uncovered a locally made pistol in their possession,” he said.

    The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police, Mr Miller Dantawaye, as commending the officers for their intelligence and reiterated the commitment of the command to collaborate with other security agencies to rid the state of criminal elements.

    He urged residents of the state to support security efforts by providing credible information on criminal activities.

    “The arrest is part of the command’s ongoing efforts to combat crime and criminality in Kogi State.

    “Recently, the command arrested 24 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, and bandits, as well as recovered two pistols and one locally made single-barrel gun.” (NAN)

  • Fraud: After prison sentence, Nigerian man to be deported from US

    Fraud: After prison sentence, Nigerian man to be deported from US

    The United States Department of Justice has announced that Edwin Okoronkwo, a Nigerian citizen convicted of defrauding multiple Americans, will be deported upon completing his 75-month prison sentence.

    Okoronkwo carried out the fraudulent scheme alongside his wife, Julie Okoronkwo, who received a 25-month prison term for her role in the elaborate catfishing scam.

    According to a statement obtained by TODAYPRICENG  from the U.S. Department of Justice website, the couple, both lawful permanent residents of the U.S., assumed stolen identities to impersonate a high-ranking military officer and deceive victims.

    To further legitimise the scam, Julie Okoronkwo would personally contact victims to reinforce their fabricated claims.

    The couple received fraudulent payments through postal services and commercial carriers, exploiting their victims’ trust.

    The statement revealed, “Edwin Okoronkwo, a citizen of Nigeria and a lawful permanent resident of the United States, and his spouse, Julie Okoronkwo, residing in Nebraska, used ‘catfishing’ schemes to obtain money from victims via the Internet. In doing so, they convinced victims to send money using false online social media personas.

    “In some instances, they claimed to be high-ranking members of the United States military on overseas missions. Through the catfishing schemes, victims from all over the country were tricked into sending money through the United States Postal Service, FedEx, and UPS.

    “The Okoronkwos used victims’ personal identifying information (PII) obtained from identity theft victims to open bank accounts and other online financial services accounts, including peer-to-peer digital payments platforms (e.g., PayPal and Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App). They directed the victims of the “catfishing” schemes to send money from the victims’ personal peer-to-peer digital payment platform accounts to the peer-to-peer digital payment platforms opened by the Okoronkwos using the names and PII of the identity theft victims. From those false accounts, the Okoronkwos would then transfer money into their personal bank accounts, to bank accounts opened using the names of identity theft victims but controlled by the Okoronkwos, or to cryptocurrency exchange platforms. Some of the money would also then be passed along to recipients overseas to Nigeria via international wire transfers through remittance services.

    “Julie Okoronkwo contacted “catfishing” victims over the phone to further convince them of the legitimacy of their need for cash and obtained from her workplace – a hospital – victims’ means of identification, including their social security numbers and Nebraska driver’s license information. The means of identification were used by the Okoronkwos in furtherance of their “catfishing’ schemes. Julie Okoronkwo was previously sentenced to imprisonment for 25 months by U.S. District Judge Buescher on January 10, 2025. Judge Buescher stated at Edwin Okoronkwo’s sentencing hearing that the crimes were “truly a tragedy for the victims.”

  • Most fake number plates used for crime bear presidency, NANS tag  —  FRSC boss

    Most fake number plates used for crime bear presidency, NANS tag  —  FRSC boss

    The Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kehinde Hamzat, said FRSC officials have commenced a special operation to root out fake number plates nationwide.

    According to him, most fake number plates used to perpetuate evils in the country bear the tags of respected institutions such as the presidency, Nigerian Youth Council (NYC) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

    The FRSC boss disclosed this on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Friday, February 7, 2025.

    Hamzat asserted that the abuse of such numbers is becoming a security threat, adding that the corps has not yet traced the producers of fake plate numbers but has started going after their users.

    “We think that most of these number plates are labelled presidency, NYC, NANS and some others, knowing fully well that these are established institutions that probably law enforcement agents wouldn’t want to disturb. We now discover that they use all these things to perpetuate evils, and it’s becoming a security threat to the country,” he said.

    Hamzat explained further that most plate numbers with the presidency tag are not registered in the Nigerian vehicle registration database.

    “If you check these numbers on the database, you’ll discover they are not anywhere. So when they misbehave, you start tracing the vehicle you can’t identify. We are trying to pick as many of them as possible to investigate and prosecute them appropriately,” he said.

    The operation is believed to be part of the FRSC’s commitment to maintain the integrity of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS).

    The agency’s Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, recently directed his officers to arrest and impound vehicles associated with NANS structures.

    Reacting to the directive, NANS leadership threatened to shut down FRSC commands across the country if the agency implemented it.

    However, the FRSC has insisted that the threat by NANS leadership will not deter it from impounding vehicles with NANS tags and fake number plates.

  • EFCC docks 9 more Chinese on alleged cybercrime, security breach

    EFCC docks 9 more Chinese on alleged cybercrime, security breach

    LAGOS—The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, docked nine Chinese citizens before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged crimes of Cybercrime, love scam and security breaches.

    The nine Chinese alongside their company, Genting International Company Limited, were arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

    Those arraigned before the court were: Su Dong Fu; Zheng Xian Tao; Wang Shi Long; Pan Cai Qi; Ting Liao; Zheng Xian Tao; Fan Jia; Feng Li Cai; Lu Yong Yao and Yang Chen Cheng.

    Meanwhile, Justice Aneke has ordered the remand of all the defendants at the Ikoyi prison, pending their trial.

    The judge remanded all the defendants, after they all pleaded not guilty to the charges made against them by the EFCC.

    Prior to the remand order, the judge fixed February 21 and March 14, 2025, for the defendants’ trial.
    Those that will have their trial commence on February 21, are: Su Dong Fu; Zheng Xian Tao; Wang Shi Long; Pan Cai Qi and Ting Liao.

    While those that will be tried on March 14 are; Fan Jia; Feng Li Cai; Lu Yong Yao and Yang Chen Cheng.
    Some charges against the defendants read: That you FAN JIA (AKA BU FAN) and Genting International Co. Limited, sometimes in December 2024, at Lagos, Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this court, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems used for the purpose of destabdilzing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as Amended, 2024) and Section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. 2022.

    “That you FAN JIA (AKA BU FAN) and Genting International Co LIMITED sometimes in December 2024, at Lagos, Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this court, willfuly gave false information to officers of the Economic and Financial Cimes Commission in the course of investigation when you were being questioned for being part of a criminal syndicate group, specialized in Romance scam, crypto currency fraud, cyber terrorismamongst others: and in order to mislead them, you falsely represented your name as BU FAN and you thereby comm11itted an offence contrary to Section 39(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 39(2}(b) of the same Act.