Category: Law and Crime

  • Businessman sentenced to four years in prison for refusing to accept Naira as legal tender

    Businessman sentenced to four years in prison for refusing to accept Naira as legal tender

    Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced a businessman, Uzondu Precious Chimaobi, to four years imprisonment for refusing to accept the Naira as legal tender.

    A statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stated that Chimaobi was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on refusal to accept the Naira as a legal tender by the agency’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 in Lagos.

    One of the counts reads: “That you, Precious Chimaobi Uzondu, on December 10 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, refused to accept Naira (Nigeria legal tender) by accepting the sum of $5700 ( Five Thousand Seven Hundred USD) as a means of payment for a purchase of a cartier diamond bracelet with serial number (12345678) and you, thereby , committed an offence contrary to Section 20 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”

    According to the EFCC, the defendant initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, leading to his full trial.

    Subsequently, the prosecution presented its first witness, Owolabi Oyarekhua Jude, an EFCC operative, who told the court that “the Commission received intelligence on the activities of a jewellery company called Unlimited Jewellers Limited, “whose owner is one Uzondu Precious Chimaobi.

    He added that “The Company, which deals in jewelry at Atlantic Mall, Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos intentionally tags and sells its products in Dollars as against the CBN Act, 2007 ,which stipulates Naira as the only legal tender in Nigeria.”

    Continuing, he added that “ Subsequently, a covert operation was carried out, where an undercover operative of the Commission disguised as a customer to purchase a Diamond Nail bracelet that was tagged $6000 and bought it for $5700.

    “The company refused to receive Naira and demanded Dollars as a means of payment. The payment was made and receipt was issued in Dollars . The owner of the company was arrested and taken to the Commission’s office.”

    However, at the resumed sitting on April 14, 2025, the defendant opted to change his “not guilty” plea to “guilty.

    Upon his guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, prayed the court to rely on the evidence earlier given by the investigating officer and admit it in convicting the defendant.

    Delivering the judgement on Tuesday, April 15, the court found the defendant guilty and gave him an option of a fine of N50,000( Fifty Thousand Naira) on count one.

    The Judge sentenced him to four years imprisonment, with an option of a fine of N600,000 on count two.

    His Cartier Diamond wristwatch was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

  • Interpol joins EFCC in crackdown on N1.3tn CBEX fraud

    Interpol joins EFCC in crackdown on N1.3tn CBEX fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a full-scale investigation into a suspected N1.3 trillion crypto fraud linked to the now-defunct digital investment platform, CryptoBank Exchange (CBEX).
    The EFCC confirmed it is partnering with the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) to track both local and international culprits behind the scam.

    CBEX, reportedly operated by foreign nationals in partnership with Nigerians, abruptly collapsed on Monday, leaving thousands of investors locked out of their accounts. Many woke up to find their balances wiped out, with the platform demanding additional deposits before access could be restored.

    EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said the commission had already initiated a probe before the collapse, following intelligence reports.
    “We had our intelligence before the incident. We were already working on it, but now that the scheme has collapsed, the major actors and their collaborators will be brought in,” he said on Tuesday.

    He assured Nigerians that the EFCC is committed to exposing and dismantling Ponzi schemes like CBEX, highlighting that several similar operations are also under active investigation. “Additionally, there are similar frauds across the country that people are unaware of, and we are working to uncover them. We are on the local collaborators while we are partnering INTERPOL to trace the foreign operators,” Oyewale added.

    Although the exact scale of losses is yet to be officially verified, unconfirmed reports estimate the stolen funds at over $847 million (about N1.3 trillion), with both Nigerian and foreign investors affected. CBEX, which promised 100% returns within 30 days through online trading, began restricting withdrawals on April 9, 2025.

    In a move widely seen as a red flag, the platform began demanding deposits of $100 to $200 from users to “verify” accounts before allowing withdrawals — a tactic that lured even more unsuspecting victims before the final crash.

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently warned against unregistered trading platforms, emphasizing that the new Investment and Securities Act, 2025 makes it illegal to operate such platforms without proper licensing. SEC Director-General Dr. Emomotimi Agama urged prospective operators to seek registration to avoid sanctions.

    Meanwhile, CBEX’s collapse has sparked public outrage. In Ibadan, Oyo State, angry investors stormed the platform’s office in Oke Ado, vandalising the premises and carting away furniture in protest. Security forces, including the Nigeria Police and Operation Amotekun, were deployed to restore order.

    CBEX had been aggressively promoted on social media and among peer networks, luring thousands with the promise of high returns. Reports indicate the platform changed its domain multiple times between January 2024 and February 2025 — a tactic investigators now see as part of a deliberate effort to evade regulatory scrutiny.

  • Police declare Ihuoma Julia Nneji, daughter of ABC transport owner, wanted

    Police declare Ihuoma Julia Nneji, daughter of ABC transport owner, wanted

    The Nigeria Police Force has declared Ihuoma Julia Nneji, a daughter of Frank Nneji, the founder of the popular ABC Transport, wanted over alleged cybercrime.

    Miss Nneji was declared wanted on Tuesday night by the Office of the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Centre (NPF NCCN), Abuja, as posted on the Force’s official Facebook page.

    According to the ‘wanted’ post, the police listed her offences to include “criminal defamation, injurious falsehood and cyberstalking”.

    Further findings by MCC News show that the daughter of the ABC Transport owner allegedly engaged herself and friends in cyberbullying and blackmailing an Abuja businessman (name withheld) from August through September 2024.

    Following the alleged online blackmailing, social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, aka Verydarkman, on September 24, 2024, in a strong warning video post, gave Miss Nneji 24 hours to retract her blackmailing post and apologise to the businessman, threatening to go after her with evidence if she refuses to tender an apology within the given time frame.

  • Attempted murder: Court revokes bail of co-defendants in trial of traditional ruler

    Attempted murder: Court revokes bail of co-defendants in trial of traditional ruler

    An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, on Monday, revoked the bail granted to two co-defendants in the alleged attempted murder trial of Oba Solomon Akinola, the Oloko of Oko.

    Akinola, the two co-defendants whose bails were revoked, Chief Sunday Aderinto and Adejare Adeleru, are facing a 27-count charge including land grabbing and attempted murder.

    Other defendants in the matter are Chief Jimoh Asimiyu, Timothy Aderinto, Matthew Akintaro, Rafiu Ganiyu, Samson Ogunmola, Zachiaus Adeleru, and Kamorudeen Ajibade.

    Also arraigned are Raji Rasaq, Mutiu Arowosaye, Oyeyemi Oyelekan Olusegun Oyelekan and Sheriff Adio.

    Justice Kareem Adedokun revoked the bail of the two defendants after he was informed by the prosecutor, Mr Isa O Abdulazeez, that the duo were among those that launched a fresh attack on the Aagba Community on April 5.

    The judge stated that bail could be revoked when a defendant facing trial commits a fresh offence.

    He ordered the two defendants to be remanded to Agodi Correctional Facility.

    Adedokun further issued a bench warrant on Timothy Aderinto, the fourth defendant; Matthew Akintaro, the fifth defendant; Rafiu Ganiyu, the sixth defendant; Samson Ogunmola, the seventh defendant; Zacheus Adeleru, the ninth defendant; and Sheriff Adio, the 15th defendant, for their absence in court.

    The judge stated that Akintaro, popularly called Paimo, who had been constantly absent during court proceedings on the excuse of being mentally unstable, must be brought to court either dead or alive.

    He subsequently adjourned the case until May 13 for the definite hearing of the case of the defense.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Abdulazeez, had told the court that a fresh attack was launched on Aagba Village, which led to the burning of no fewer than nine houses, including the house of Alagba of Aagba, Oba Joshua Adesola.

    He further alleged that the incident claimed the life of a 70-year-old woman, Madam Rachael Bamidele, and destroyed many other properties

    In his response, the Defence Counsel, Hakeem Sabana, said that he was not aware of the fresh attack, adding that he was no longer representing the first, second, third, and seventh defendants.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the people of Aagba and Tropical Farm Limited instituted a case against the defendants in November 2023 over the alleged invasion of their community.

    It was alleged that the invasion was on the order of Oba Akinola.

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) had directed the police to investigate the matter and handed the investigation to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), who ordered the Oyo State Ministry of Justice to take over the prosecution.

    The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the 27-count charge bordering on alleged attempted murder, assault, robbery, stealing, and land grabbing.

  • Nigerian PhD student pleads guilty to fraud in US

    Nigerian PhD student pleads guilty to fraud in US

    A 24-year-old Nigerian man, Mercy Ojedeji, has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and unlawful use of fraudulent immigration documents in the United States.

    The plea was entered in a US District Court in St. Louis, Missouri, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri on Thursday, April 10.

    On Wednesday, April 9, Ojedeji admitted to fraudulently securing a student visa and gaining admission into the University of Missouri’s chemistry PhD program in Fall 2023. He acknowledged using falsified academic transcripts, recommendation letters, a fake resume, and a fabricated English language proficiency report to obtain the visa.

    With the visa in hand, Ojedeji obtained a Social Security card, a Missouri driver’s license, a bank account, and housing. He also received a stipend and tuition waiver from the university valued at over $49,000.

    After failing to attend classes or participate in research activities, Ojedeji was dismissed from the graduate program in January 2024, which resulted in the termination of his student visa. Despite this, prosecutors say he used the invalid visa to obtain a state driver’s license on February 26, 2024.

    The investigation began when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service received complaints that victims of a romance fraud scheme were sending packages of cash and gift cards to the home of Ojedeji’s partner. Authorities tracked 35 Express Mail packages—sent between December 19, 2023, and January 4, 2024—that were linked to Nigerian IP addresses.

    “A court-approved search of the home resulted in the discovery of packages sent pursuant to a Nigerian romance fraud scheme.

    “A total of 193 packages were sent to the home through the Postal Services Express Mail, Federal Express, and United Parcel Service during Ojedeji’s relationship with the woman,” the statement reads.

    Seventeen of the seized packages contained $94,150 in cash and gift cards, while prosecutors estimate the total intended loss at over $1 million.

    Despite his guilty plea to immigration and wire fraud charges, Ojedeji has denied involvement in the romance scam.

    He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10.

    The wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while the immigration fraud charge could add up to 10 more years and a similar fine.

    The final determination of losses and penalties will be made by the judge during sentencing.

  • Police probe DPO accused of extortion

    Police probe DPO accused of extortion

    The Police Command in Ondo State has begun investigation into the allegation of extortion levelled against the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Igbara-Oke in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state, Ganiyu Dauda.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that residents of the community on Friday protested against alleged extortion by the DPO and operatives in the division.

    The protesters who were carrying leaflets blocked the main road leading to the community to show their grievances.

    Speaking with NAN on Saturday in Akure, the spokesperson for the command, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, said that an investigation has commenced on the allegation of extortion levelled against the DPO.

    Ayanlade urged anybody with useful information on the allegation of extortion against the DPO to make it available to the command.

    ”The command has launched an investigation into the details of the event and the alleged extortion.

    “Although nobody has come forward to lay any report concerning the allegation against the DPO. Anybody that has concrete evidence against the DPO or any of our men should please come forward with the fact.

    “And we will let the public know the outcome of our investigation.

    “We urge the people of the state to remain law-abiding ,” he said.

    He attributed the event leading to the protest to a misunderstanding between some members of the driver’s union and some policemen over the towing of an accident vehicle into the premises of Igbara-Oke Divisional Police Station.

    Ayanlade explained that the issue was eventually resolved by the chairman of the local government. (NAN)

  • US charges man with Trump assassination threat

    US charges man with Trump assassination threat

    A US man posting content online as “Mr Satan” has been charged with threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump and other government officials, the Department of Justice announced Friday.

    Shawn Monper, 32, was detained and charged in a federal criminal complaint with “making threats to assault and murder” Trump and other US officials, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

    In a statement, the DOJ said the FBI received an emergency message about threats posted on YouTube by a user who identified himself as “Mr Satan,” whose internet activity was determined to correspond with Monper’s residence.

    Monper is coincidentally from Butler, Pennsylvania where Trump was nearly assassinated during a campaign rally in July.

    Shortly after Trump’s inauguration in January, Monper obtained a firearms permit and commented from his account that he had “bought several guns and been stocking up on ammo since Trump got in office,” the DOJ said.

    On February 17 he wrote: “Nah, we just need to start killing people, Trump, Elon, all the heads of agencies Trump appointed, and anyone who stands in the way,” referring to Trump’s billionaire advisor Elon Musk.

    “Remember, we are the majority, MAGA is a minority of the country, and by the time its time to make the move, they will be weakened, many will be crushed by these policies, and they will want revenge too. American Revolution 2.0,” he said, according to the DOJ.

    Then on March 4, in a YouTube video titled “Live: Trump’s address to Congress,” Monper said he was “going to assassinate him myself,” the DOJ added.

    Monper hails from Butler township, scene of a shooting last July 13 that nearly took Trump’s life, when a would-be assassin’s bullet grazed the Republican’s ear at an outdoor campaign rally. One person was killed and three were injured.

    “Rest assured that whenever and wherever threats of assassination or mass violence occur, this Department of Justice will find, arrest, and prosecute the suspect to the fullest extent of the law and seek the maximum appropriate punishment,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in the statement.

    A detention hearing is scheduled for April 14.

  • Police arrest alleged killer of Ondo businessman

    Police arrest alleged killer of Ondo businessman

    xThe Police Command in Ondo State has arrested the suspected killer of Alhaji Awoyinka Sumaila, a businessman in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

    Sumaila, who dealt in building materials, was killed by gunmen at his residence opposite Caring Heart Mega School, Idi mango area, Ore, on March 1.

    DSP Ayanlade Olushola, the command’s spokesperson, made this known in a statement released to the media on Friday in Akure.

    Olushola said that the “prime suspect, one Ijalo,” was arrested on April 10 in Osogbo, Osun, through a discreet investigation.

    “The arrest was made after a painstaking manhunt led operatives back to Ore.

    “A locally-made pistol believed to have been used in the murder, along with criminal charms, were recovered during a search of the suspect’s premises,” he said.

    He assured the public that no stone would be left unturned in ridding Ondo State of criminals. (NAN)

  • NCS hands over 659 units of illicit drugs worth N18m to NDLEA in Cross River

    NCS hands over 659 units of illicit drugs worth N18m to NDLEA in Cross River

    The Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone and Akwa Ibom Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over 659 units of illicit drugs, valued at N18 million, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Cross River State.

    The controlled substances were intercepted by vigilant NCS officers at the Mfum border. The items include: Pethidine 100mg – 216 units, Morphine Sulphate – 216 units, Phenobarbital – 37 packets, Sodium Sterop – 37 units, Fentanyl 50mg – 108 units, Midazolam Mylan – 33 units and Sodium Injectables – 26 units.

    The official handover took place on Tuesday at the Command’s headquarters in Calabar, the state capital.

    Speaking during the event, Comptroller Gabriel Ogbonna, the Customs Area Comptroller of the Command, emphasized that the exercise was conducted in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both agencies. He noted that the collaboration is a model for younger officers to emulate.

    “On behalf of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, I officially hand over these items to the NDLEA. This action is in accordance with the MoU between our agencies,” Ogbonna stated.

    “Today’s event stands as a testament to the importance of cooperation and mutual support between sister agencies. The synergy between the NCS and NDLEA has resulted in this significant interception, which ultimately supports national security and development,” he added.

    In her remarks, Commander Rachael Umebuali, Head of the NDLEA in Cross River State, commended the NCS for its commitment to inter-agency collaboration. She stressed that such partnerships enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery to Nigerians.

    “We deeply appreciate this gesture and the sustained cooperation from the Customs Service. This synergy strengthens our ability to combat the trafficking and abuse of controlled substances, and it significantly boosts our operational success,” Umebuali said.

  • Nigerian convicted of double murder wins human rights case in UK

    Nigerian convicted of double murder wins human rights case in UK

    A Nigerian man convicted of a brutal double murder in north London has successfully argued that his human rights were violated due to the excessive delay in bringing his case to trial.

    Obina Christopher Ezeoke, now 32, was ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years for the 2016 murders of psychology student Bervil Kalikaka-Ekofo, 21, and his aunt, Annie Ekofo, 53. The killings took place in their East Finchley apartment while Bervil slept.

    After facing an unprecedented five trials over a five-year period, Ezeoke was finally convicted in 2020. However, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has now ruled that the prolonged legal process constituted a breach of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees a fair and public hearing within a “reasonable time.”

    The Telegraph reported that the delays stemmed from a series of unfortunate disruptions: the first trial collapsed after the judge fell ill, two subsequent trials ended in hung juries, and the fourth trial was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Although the Strasbourg-based court acknowledged that most of these delays were beyond the control of UK courts or the government, it still determined that the overall length of proceedings violated Ezeoke’s rights.

    Despite this finding, the ECHR declined to grant Ezeoke any form of relief beyond the ruling itself. His request for immediate release was rejected, with the court stating that his eventual conviction and sentencing were not unfair. As a result, the delay was not found to constitute a further breach of Article 6 in terms of trial outcome. The court also ruled that he was not entitled to compensation.

    The verdict provoked strong criticism from some UK officials. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said: “This is the latest extraordinary example of judicial activism by the Strasbourg court. It only seems to get worse.”

    Details of the crime shocked the public. During the trial, the Old Bailey heard how Ezeoke entered the flat and executed Kalikaka-Ekofo by shooting him in the back of the head with a vintage Western-style revolver while he slept. He then shot Annie Ekofo in the chest with a Smith & Wesson .44 revolver as she emerged from her bedroom.

    Prosecutors revealed that the killings were a revenge attack targeting Ms. Ekofo’s son, Ryan Efey, then 22. Ezeoke had reportedly been humiliated after rivals circulated a video of him being attacked on Snapchat, and he intended to kill anyone present in the flat.

    In her sentencing remarks, Mrs Justice Cutts described the murders as “cold, callous and brutal,” adding that Ezeoke had not only taken two innocent lives but also “ruined the lives of many.”

    She noted that although she had considered imposing a whole-life term, she settled on a 40-year minimum before parole eligibility.

    During the legal process, Ezeoke’s defense argued against holding a fifth trial, claiming that the repeated delays had compromised their case. They contended that the prolonged proceedings negatively impacted the quality of evidence and made the final outcome potentially unsafe.

    In his appeal to the European court, Ezeoke claimed the lengthy process weakened his defense. The ECHR specifically identified two delays as “problematic”: a one-year gap between the third and fourth trials and a six-month delay before a ruling on his application for permission to appeal.

    Despite the human rights violation ruling, Ezeoke remains incarcerated in a high-security prison, serving his life sentence for the double homicide.

    The case underscores the difficult balance between upholding defendants’ rights to a timely trial and ensuring justice for victims of serious crimes.