Justice (Professor) C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Benin City has sentenced businessman Olabinjor Ajobor to seven years in prison without the option of a fine for fraud. Ajobor was initially arraigned in 2018 and re-arraigned in July 2023 on an amended three-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences. One of the charges stated: “That you, OLABINJOR AJOBOR, and BISOFRANK INVESTMENT LIMITED, on or about the 21st day of February 2017 in Benin, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did with intent to defraud, induced Mr. George Ezomo to deposit the sum of…
Author: Adewale A.
Operatives from the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended 10 individuals suspected of illegal mining activities in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. The suspects were caught with six trucks fully loaded with lithium. The names of the apprehended individuals are Yunusa Adisa, Ganiyu Kazeem, Muideen Babayemi, Sulaiman Usman, Adeleke Waliu, Tiamiyu Rokeeb, Olusola Sunday, Oyedokun Oluwagbemiga, Sulaimon Ishiaq, and Olufimihan Eniola. The arrests were made following credible intelligence reports indicating their involvement in the unlawful extraction of solid mineral resources, particularly lithium, which were being transported to undisclosed locations. Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects…
The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Audu Ishida, also known as Baddie Kylemilli, on charges of internet fraud. The case is being heard before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari at the Federal High Court in Kaduna State. Ishida faces a one-count charge of impersonation, retention of proceeds of crime, and money laundering. The charge sheet reads: “That you, Audu Ishida (Baddie Kylemilli), on or about the 2nd of June 2024 in Jos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, retained the sum of $50 from your victim, which you reasonably ought to have known…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully secured the convictions of Benjamin Apagu, Francis Dung Yusuf (a.k.a Richard Miller), and David Bini Semen (a.k.a Rose Kelly). These convictions were handed down by Justices Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court, and R.M Aikawa and Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna. The trio faced separate one-count charges prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC. Apagu was charged with misappropriation and obtaining by false pretences, while Yusuf and Semen were charged with impersonation, retention of proceeds of crime, and obtaining by false pretence.…
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, 19 July 2024, arraigned Rufus John Isip, a self-proclaimed forex broker, before Justice C. S. Onah of the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Isip, alongside his company ITM-IT Resources Limited, faces an eight-count charge, including fraudulent conversion, money laundering, and obtaining funds under false pretences amounting to N2,022,081,172 (Two Billion, Twenty-Two Million, Eighty-One Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy-Two Naira). One of the charges against Isip reads: “That you, Rufus John Isip, being the Director of ITM-IT Resources Limited, in December 2020 and May…
US President Joe Biden recently announced his decision to conclude his re-election campaign, endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s nominee for the 2024 presidential race. While Harris has yet to be officially nominated, she will need to select a running mate when Democratic delegates gather next month at the Chicago convention to confirm the ticket. Historically, vice-presidential picks are made to complement the primary candidate, and strategists suggest that Harris may choose a white man from a swing state. Here are some potential candidates: Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky Andy Beshear, a Democrat successfully leading the heavily Republican…
In the deeply religious city of Kano in northern Nigeria, a unique prayer session was held a few months ago. This gathering was organised to seek divine favour for the success of a significant industrial venture – the new Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which is set to start producing petrol next month. While it might seem unusual to pray for an industrial facility, many Nigerians are hopeful that this $19 billion (£15 billion) refinery, located near Lagos on Nigeria’s southern coast, will drastically increase petrol availability and reduce prices. Construction of the refinery, which spans nearly 4,000 football pitches, began in…
Researchers at Beihang University in China are pioneering the development of a solar-powered drone with the potential for indefinite flight. Led by Mingjing Qi, the team created a sophisticated circuit that significantly enhanced the voltage generated by solar panels, which was then integrated into a miniature drone prototype. Drones have revolutionised various sectors due to their versatility, but their limited flight time remains a significant drawback. Active research is now focused on overcoming this limitation by developing tiny solar-powered drones capable of perpetual flight. The latest prototype from Beihang University is a lightweight aerial robot weighing just 4 grams, equipped…
Donald Trump’s campaign is rapidly refocusing its efforts to target Kamala Harris, launching a series of attack ads that critique her record as vice president and her tenure in California, following Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. Sources close to the campaign indicate that Trump and his team view Harris as the likely Democratic nominee, especially after Biden endorsed her. Consequently, opposition research against Harris has intensified in recent weeks. Trump-aligned political action committees (PACs), such as MAGA Inc., are preparing a substantial offensive, including a $5 million television ad blitz in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Georgia,…
In a significant legal development, Justice O. J. Enobie of the FCT High Court in Jabi, Abuja, has sentenced Daniel Ungbo Silas, the director of Asher Trust Investment Limited and Fifteen Network Limited, to five years in prison for his involvement in a major fraud case. Silas, along with his companies, faced prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on two counts of criminal breach of trust and fraudulent conversion of property, amounting to a staggering N128 million. The first charge against Silas states: “That you, Daniel Ungbo Silas, as the Director of Fifteen Network Limited, on or…
On Friday, 19th July 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented its 14th prosecution witness, Sahibu Salisu, in the ongoing trial of former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose. The case, involving allegations of N6.9bn fraud, is being heard by Justice Chukujekwu Aneke at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. Salisu, who previously served as Director of Administration and Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), testified regarding payments made to a company named Sylvan MacNamara on the orders of former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Limited, were re-arraigned…
Judges R.M. Aikawa and Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court in Kaduna have convicted and sentenced five individuals for various fraudulent activities. The convicted persons include Ibrahim Haruna, Abdullahi Yahaya, Daniel John (a.k.a Julieta), Benjamin Andrew Zagni (a.k.a Andrew Williams), and Kenneth Barau (a.k.a Aisha Mohammed). They were prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Currency Counterfeiting Convictions Ibrahim Haruna and Abdullahi Yahaya were charged with a single count of currency counterfeiting, involving counterfeit notes totalling $81,700. Justice Aikawa presided over their case. The charge against Haruna and Yahaya stated: “On or…
CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm that has enjoyed immense success on Wall Street, now finds itself at the centre of what is being described as the worst IT outage the world has seen. Known for its AI-enabled cyber protection, the company has faced a dramatic turn of events following a software update that caused widespread disruption. In 2024, CrowdStrike’s share price surged by 96%, positioning it as one of the top-performing stocks on the Nasdaq and the S&P 500. By Thursday night, the company was valued at $84 billion, making it a favourite among investors. The excitement around CrowdStrike was fuelled…
Cyber intelligence agencies have issued warnings about malicious websites exploiting a recent global IT outage by offering “unofficial code” to fix affected devices. Experts have pinpointed a likely cause of the issue: a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. The problematic update, which bypassed standard checks before deployment, impacted an estimated 8.5 million Microsoft Windows PCs worldwide, causing significant disruptions for airports, broadcasters, hospitals, and businesses. The trouble began shortly after CrowdStrike released the latest version of its Falcon sensor software last Friday. Intended to enhance system security against hacking, the update instead led to devices displaying the notorious “blue…
Former President Donald Trump has labelled Joe Biden “the worst president in the history of the United States” after the 81-year-old announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. The move comes amid ongoing speculation about Biden’s age and capacity to serve another term. Trump did not hold back in his criticism during an interview with news reporters, and other Republicans have also called for Biden to step down immediately. Trump stated, “Joe Biden is the worst president in the history of the United States by far. There has never been a president who has done such damage to our…
Kamala Harris’s rise to the position of Vice President of the United States has been marked by a series of significant milestones, and she is now being strongly considered as a successor to President Joe Biden. Here’s an in-depth look at her path to the vice presidency, the reasons behind her being touted for the top job, and her response to these developments. Backing from President Biden President Joe Biden has publicly endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris, as a suitable candidate to take over as the Democratic Party’s nominee for the presidential election. This endorsement comes amidst growing concerns…
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest individual, has put plans for a new steel plant in Nigeria on hold following accusations of attempting to create a monopoly. The Nigerian government expressed concerns over his growing influence in the industry, sparking a nationwide debate. While some Nigerians lament the potential loss of significant investment in the steel sector, others see it as an opportunity for diverse investors to enter the market. Dangote has countered these claims by asserting that he has never sought to monopolise any industry and welcomes other Nigerians to invest in the steel sector. This development underscores the delicate balance…
Aliko Dangote, the magnate behind the Dangote Refinery, has revealed the substantial $100 million payment made to the Lagos State Government for the land on which this pivotal refinery is constructed. This refinery, a key project in reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products and potentially lowering fuel prices, received no incentives from the Federal Government. Concerns persist regarding the government’s ability to effectively manage the refinery should it come under state control. Despite facing significant challenges in securing crude oil feedstock, the operation of the Dangote Refinery is widely recognised as a strategic national asset. It holds immense economic,…
Chief Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation International Magazine and a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023 has written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Read the letter below: Your Excellency, I have decided to write this open letter to you as a dear friend and brother. As you know, I’m a member of opposition but you and I have had a long history together. I owe you only one thing, TRUTH. The first thing that takes flight in the Presidential Villa is TRUTH. The reason is simple. Some Nigerians are experts in hijacking…
Microsoft has revealed that a recent IT outage, caused by a CrowdStrike update, affected an estimated 8.5 million Windows devices worldwide. The tech giant clarified that it was not responsible for the disruption, which occurred on Friday, but noted that the affected devices represent less than 1% of all Windows machines globally. This revelation provides a clearer picture of the scale of the outage, which is being described as one of the largest cyber events in history, surpassing previous major incidents. The closest comparable event is the WannaCry cyberattack in 2017, which impacted approximately 300,000 computers across 150 countries. Another…