Crime

Man Jailed for Customs Job Scam, 3 Convicted for Cybercrime in Oyo

By Web News 702

Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State on Friday, October 21, 2022, convicted and sentenced the trio of Olukoya Emmanuel Adeyemi, Qoreeb Oluwadamilare Fujah and Olayinka Ridwan Olatunji to various jail terms for offences ranging from employment scam to cybercrime.

This is contained in a statement signed by the commission’s Media and Publicity Director, Wilson Uwujaren in Abuja.

Olukoya was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment on an amended two-count charge that bordered on employment scam.

The convict had swindled his victims of N2 million under the pretext of securing jobs for them with the Nigeria Customs Service.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Olukoya Emmanuel Adeyemi ‘M’ on or about the 26th day of April 2019 in Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of Seventy-seven Thousand Naira (N77, 000.00) from one Ajiboye Hamed through your Access Bank Account No. 0728344783, under the false pretence that you have given him employment with the Nigeria Customs and that the payment is for the Custom job replacement and training kit, a pretext which you knew to be false and you deceitfully made it, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable by Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

Upon his arraignment, he pleaded “guilty” to the charges filed against him by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Subsequently, the prosecution counsel, Chidi Okoli prayed to the court to convict and sentence the defendant as charged.

Justice Agomoh, thereafter convicted and sentenced Olukoya to two years imprisonment and ordered that restitution be made to the victims.

Also, Adeyemi, Qoreeb Oluwadamilare Fujah and Olayinka Ridwan Olatunji were arraigned, convicted and sentenced on a separate one-count charge each for their involvement in internet fraud.

They pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charge preferred against the by the EFCC.

Consequently, prosecution counsel, Abdulrasheed Suleiman prayed to the court to convict and sentenced them as charged.

Justice Agomoh convicted and sentenced Olatunji to one-year imprisonment and Fujah to six months jail term.

The court further ordered that Olayinka pay the sum of $10, 760.00 in restitution and forfeit all items recovered from him to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In the same vein, Justice Bayo Taiwo of the State High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on October 20, 2022, convicted and sentenced one Akande Qudus Opeyemi to two months of community service on a one-count charge for cybercrime.

Akande pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charge when it was read to him.

Also, the court ordered that he restitute his victim and forfeit all items recovered from him to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 Oluwakayode Banjo

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Crime

Two Convicted for Cybercrime, another Remanded in Oyo

By Web News 492

The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Thursday, July 14, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of the duo of Ogunlana Charles Tolulope and Amoo Emmanuel Abiodun on a separate one-count charge before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ibadan, and Justice Bayo Taiwo of the State High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The convicts were arrested by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC sometime in the year 2021 for cyber-fraud-related activities in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The charge against Ogunlana reads: “That you, Ogunlana Charles Tolulope ‘M’ (aka Brandon Oliver) on or about the 8th of September, 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate one BRANDON OLIVER a male citizen of the United States of America via your Google Hangouts [email protected] and [email protected] with intent to gain monetary advantage for yourself, the pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b)(i) and punishable under Section 22 (3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.”

The charge against Amoo reads: “That you, Amoo Emmanuel Abiodun on or about 29th October 2021, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, impersonated Clifford Smith, a white man from the United States of America and thereby committed an offence of Impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”

They pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC.

Consequently, Justice Agomoh convicted and sentenced Ogunlana to one-year imprisonment and ordered him to restitute the sum of N1,600,000.00 (One Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira) domiciled in his bank account to his victim and forfeit one Camry car to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Similarly, Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced Amoo to six months of community service and ordered that the convict pay the sum of $1,300USD (One Thousand Three Hundred United States of America Dollars) in restitution and forfeit one iPhone 11 mobile phone to the Federal Government.

In a related development, the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC arraigned one Sotunde Bashir Abiola before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, on one count charge bordering on fraudulent impersonation.

The charge reads: “That you, Sotunde Bashir Abiola ‘M’ sometimes in March 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud aided and abetted one Ashefon Daniel Kayode who fraudulently impersonated one Robbin Stephen with intent to gain advantage for himself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b)(iv) of the same Act.”

He pleaded not guilty to the charge when read to him before the court.

Justice Agomoh ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Agodi Correctional Facility and adjourned till November 2, 2022, for the commencement of trial.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

15 July 2022

Politics

Nigerian Youths Charged to Channel their Energies Into Profitable Ventures

By Web News 1491

As Nigerians celebrate the 60 years anniversary of their country’s independence, government at all levels have been urged to invest more in the youth and create enabling environment for them to strive.

Some youths in Ibadan who made the appeal while speaking with Radio Nigeria on the need for concerted efforts at repositioning the country for a better future, believed that Nigerian youths have the capacity to bring Nigeria into limelight if given the opportunity.

A community youth leader, Mr Kolawola Ashiru advised the federal government to empower more youth through training, disbursement of soft loans and value re-orientation.

Mr Ashiru also appealed to the younger generation to re-channel the energy they put into cybercrimes and other unprofitable ventures to maintaining safe environment, agriculture and socio-economic of the country.

Also speaking, a youth advocate, Engineer Ojo Jimoh charged Nigerian youths to live up to expectations in any leadership assignment and responsibilities given to them. 

Engineer Jimoh who cited the example of General Yakubu Gowon who became the Nigeria’s Head of State at age 24 and contributed his quota to the growth of the country, called on youths to work on themselves for people to be proud of them.

He frowned at the level of unemployment especially among the youth, which he said was responsible for the high level of crime in the country, urging government to create more jobs for Nigerians. 

Speaking on the importance of medical awareness to human health, a young pharmacist, Mr Olayinka Omoyeni who advocated a health insurance scheme for the youths, tasked youths to take priority in their health and shun moral vices.

Mosope Kehinde

Crime

EFCC Arrests 48 Suspected Cyber Criminals in Ogun

By Web News 1068

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office, on Thursday arrested 48 suspected internet fraudsters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The suspects, many of whom claimed to be undergraduates, range between the ages of 18 and 28 years.

They were apprehended at locations around Alabata area of the ancient town, following actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet-related crimes.

Among the suspects are: Anwinilomo Tomisin, Ayeni Ifedapo, Melojuekun Oluwatobi, Adeyemo Stephen, Gideon Achuka, David Mulero, Owolabi Abraham, Toheeb OlabanjiTe Teslim Kasali, Jide Abiodun Emmanuel, Alli Emmanuel Oluwaseun, Adeniyi Sultan, Ejiro Daniel, Chima Emmanuel, Adejare Oyebajo, Dike Chukwuebuka, Emeka Ikegbunam, Daniyi Tobiloba, Tomiwa Ibironke, Daniel Onnorom, Quadri Ayaniyi, Victor Solomon, Ayeni Oluwatosin, Adegbenro Emmanuel, Abdulrauf Adam, Daniel Praise, Biyi Adegbamigbe, Adeyinka Ibrahim, Sadiq Sanni, and Ibikunle Ajibola.

Others are: Stephen Matthew, Ayoola Ifekolade, Dapo Shobayo, Idowu Familusi, Ayodamola Fagoroye, Segun Raheem, Fuhad Arowolo, Favour Ekeh, Akinlabi Royal, Kolade Nwachukwu, Kayinde Ajibike, Kunle Adejumo, Matthew Adedotun, Adewunmi Samuel, Olusoji Fiyin, Olanrewaju Michael, Ola Ayomide and Dairo Emmanuel.

The early morning raid also led to recovery of valuable items, including three exotic cars, mobile phones, laptops, and SIM cards, from the suspects.

The suspects will soon be arraigned in court.

Sunday Ogunyemi