Crime

Suspected Destitute Arrested With NIN, ATM Cards

By Web News 1035

By Jeffrey Ahonmisi

A suspected destitute who identified himself as Yunusa Oguntola has been apprehended on Oba Adebimpe Road, Dugbe, Ibadan, with various incriminating items, including National Identification Numbers, NIN, slips and Automated Teller Machine, ATM cards belonging to unidentified persons.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said he raised the alarm after noticing the suspect sitting opposite the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, office in Dugbe Ibadan, with a suspicious sack.

He said he alerted people around the area, leading to the suspect being accosted.According to the eyewitness, when the contents of the sack were examined, several items were discovered, including six mobile phones, clothes, ATM cards from various banks, a torchlight, charms, NIN slips, a police identity card, a screwdriver, a padlock, a duvet, and an undisclosed amount of cash.

he suspect, who claimed to be a beggar, said he usually comes to Oba Adebimpe Road from Ita Baale Olugbode area of Ibadan to solicit alms.

He also claimed that he bought two of the new phones for personal use.

The visibly unkempt suspect, who appeared elderly, was dressed in a dirty Ankara outfit at the time of his arrest.

Men of the Oyo State Police Command, Eleyele, Ibadan, were later alerted and the suspect was whisked away for further interrogation and possible prosecution.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Foreign

South Africa: Wealthy Gupta Brothers Arrested in UAE

By Web News 547

Two brothers from the wealthy Gupta family have been arrested in the United Arab Emirates, the South African and Emirati authorities have announced.

Atul and Rajesh Gupta are accused in South Africa of profiting from their close links with former president Jacob Zuma and exerting unfair influence.

Extradition talks are taking place between the two countries.

The brothers fled South Africa after a judicial commission began probing their involvement in corruption in 2018.

They are accused of paying financial bribes in order to win lucrative state contracts and influence powerful government appointments.

They deny any wrongdoing.

A statement by Dubai Police said the two men were being held “in connection with money laundering and criminal charges in South Africa”.

The force said it acted after receiving an Interpol “red notice” – a request to law enforcement organizations to provisionally arrest a wanted person pending extradition.

The Gupta family moved from India to South Africa in 1993. They also face accusations of money laundering in India, where tax officials raided properties belonging to them in 2018 in multiple cities, including their company office in the capital Delhi.

Many of the most serious corruption allegations leveled against the Indian-born brothers focus on their relationship with Jacob Zuma, who was president of South Africa from 2009 until he was forced to step down amid a storm of corruption allegations nine years later.

The Gupta family is accused of using their close links with Mr Zuma to wield enormous political power across all levels of South African government – winning business contracts, influencing high-profile government appointments, and misappropriating state funds.

Mr Zuma, along with the Guptas, denies the allegations.

After the brothers fled the country, South Africa negotiated an extradition treaty with the UAE in 2021.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government has said it hoped the agreement would lead to the return of the Guptas to face charges, but it was not immediately clear following the arrests whether the brothers would return to South Africa.

BBC/Taiwo Akinola

News

310,000 Naira Rapture Ticket: Court Grants Pastor Bail

By Web News 685

An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti has granted bail to one Pastor Noah Abraham Adelegan of Christ High Commission Ministry, Omuo Oke Ekiti.

Pastor Abraham was arraigned on one count charge of false pretense and intent to defraud members of his church.

The charge reads, that you Pastor Noah Abraham Adelegan on 27th April, 2022 at Omuo Oke Ekiti in Omuo Magisterial District, did by false pretense and intent to defraud, presented yourself to your congregation at Christ High Commission Ministry, Omuo Oke Ekiti as capable of taking them to heaven before rapture, upon payment of money ranging from N300, 000-N310, 000.

According to the Police, the offence contravenes Section 416 of the Criminal law of Ekiti State, 2012.

Requesting for the bail application, counsel to the defendant, Adunni Olanipekun prayed court to grant his client bail adding that he is ready to provide reliable sureties and ensure his availability in court.

However, the Police prosecutor, Inspector Johnson Okunade did not oppose the application but asked the court to exercise its discretion in granting or refusing the bail.

In his ruling, Magistrate Titilola Olaolorun granted bail to the defendant in the sum N100, 000 with two sureties in the like sum, saying the sureties must possess Nigerian National Identity Card.

The matter has been adjourned till 24th of this month for mention.

Niyi Alade