Lagos hotelier and his wife bag 40 year jail term each for fraud

An Ikorodu based hotelier, Ebiesuwa Abayomi Fredrick, and his wife, Tinuola Idayat Oyegunle, have said to spend 40 years imprisonment for advance fee fraud.

Tribune Online gathered that Abayomi Fredrick is the owner of the popular Victoria East Park Hotel and Suite, Igbogbo in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday, February 15, 2021, found them guilty on all four counts of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence brought against them by the Ibadan Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The couple, in a classic advance fee fraud scheme, fleeced one Dunni Olateru Olagbegi N53, 713, 260 in cash and bank transfer through a spiritual cleansing gambit in order to avoid the calamitous consequence of mysterious sudden death having heard conversation by a syndicate about a Ghana- Must –Go bag stuffed with United States Dollar bills in the boot of a car. She was also tricked into bringing funds to cleanse supposed USD bliss.

The victim had sometimes in May 2013, boarded a taxi cab with three other passengers who, unknown to her, were members of a syndicate of fraudsters. As soon as she entered the vehicle, she heard the three other supposed passengers arguing about a Ghana-Must-Go bag filled with US Dollars in the boot of the car.

Moments later, one of the syndicate member told her that she must be cleansed to avert sudden and mysterious death having heard their discussion. She was taken to an unknown destination, where she subsequently started giving the defendants, and the other members of the syndicate (at large) various sums in cash and bank payment totalling N53, 713, 260 to buy instruments for the cleansing of United States Dollar notes, which she allegedly sourced from the sale of her properties in both Ibadan and Lagos.

In the course of the investigation, It was discovered that over N9 million was paid into the second defendant, Tinuola Idayat Oyegunle’s account domiciled in one of the third generation banks; apart from other funds traced to the first defendant, Ebiesuwa Abayomi Fredrick’s account.

It was also discovered that the first defendant built Victoria East Park Hotel & Suite located at Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State from the proceeds of the crime.

In his judgment today, Justice Abdulmalik found the couple guilty of the four-count charge and sentenced both of them to 10 years imprisonment on each of the four counts. However, while Ebiesuwa’s prison term takes effect from June 19, 2017, when he was arrested, Tinuola’s time in the Custodial Centre will start counting from May 26, 2017, when she was arrested.

The Judge also ordered that Victoria East Park Hotel & Suite, “be sold and the proceed, if not up to N53, 713, 260.00 (Fifty-Three Million, Seven Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty Naira) be returned to the victim in the case and if it exceeds, the balance be paid into the Federal Government’s account.”

The sentences are to run concurrently.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/lagos-hotelier-and-his-wife-bag-40-year.html

Nigeria records 574 new Covid-19 cases, total now 146,928

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 574 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 146,928.

The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Monday.

Nigeria also recorded eight COVID-19 deaths, raising the total fatality in the country to 1,761.

“On the 15th of February 2021, 574 new confirmed cases and 8 deaths were recorded in Nigeria.

“Till date, 146,928 cases have been confirmed, 123,009 cases have been discharged and 1,761 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Kwara (98), Lagos (81), Edo (59), Ondo (44), FCT (41), Kano (34), Ogun (33), Kaduna (29), Osun (28), Enugu (23), Rivers (18), Delta (16), Akwa Ibom (15), Bauchi (12), Imo (10), Borno (8), Niger (8), Kebbi (7), Nasarawa (5) Gombe (3) and Ekiti (2),” the NCDC said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/nigeria-records-574-new-covid-19-cases.html

Ex-Osun deputy governor Iyiola Omisore joins APC

A former Osun State Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore on Monday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with thousands of his supporters.

Omisore, the senator who represented Osun East from 2003 to 2009 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was Osun State deputy governor under Governor Adebisi Akande.

He was also the Interim Chairman of APC between 2003 till 2007.

Omisore arrived Ward 6, Unit 3 of Moore, Ile-Ife, at 12:40 p.m on Monday with thousands of his supporters; Osun State Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi; APC Caretaker Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun; Education Commissioner Folorunsho Bamisayemi; Political Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations Commissioner Taiwo Akeju; Youth and Sports Commissioner Yemi Lawal and other chieftains of the party.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/ex-osun-deputy-governor-iyiola-omisore.html

Lovers found dead in Delta apartment

There was pandemonium on Sunday in Sapele town, in the Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, following the death of a young man identified only as Ufuoma, and his girlfriend, Matilda.

Punch Metro gathered that the victims attended a party the previous night and got home late, only for their lifeless bodies to be discovered in the morning.

A source said the lovers were found dead in their apartment along the Niger Delta Development Commission Road in the Amukpe area.

“Ufuoma’s car was on the premises that morning, which caused curiosity among neighbours.

 “The neighbours knocked on their door without any response; they peeped through the window and discovered that one of them was on the bed, while the other was on the floor, lifeless.

 “The two lovers were new in the environment; they returned from abroad in 2019. We believe they died from food poisoning,” he added.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/lovers-found-dead-in-delta-apartment.html

Korede Bello took a lucky female fan on an expensive valentine's date [Video]

Mavin superstar, Korede Bello took a lucky female fan on an expensive date to celebrate valentine's day. 

He earlier announced on his twitter page he'll be spending Val with a lucky female fan, afterwhich  many of his fans contested for the limited slot. 

Korede Bello took her shopping at an exquisite fashion store based on the video he shared.

He wrote;

“So I had a fan date and it was beautiful, just like my datE”

Watch below:

So I had a fan date and it was beautiful, just like my datE ❤ pic.twitter.com/10TjiBNMpe

— Korede Bello (@koredebello) February 14, 2021

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/korede-bello-took-lucky-female-fan-to.html

Lady who allegedly ran mad after her boyfriend proposed to her breaks silence

The Nigerian lady who went crazy in a viral video after her boyfriend proposed to her on valentine's day has spoken on the incident. 

The video showed the man on his knees  proposing while the lady started acting weird and abnormally which made people believe she ran mad.

The lady identified as Ogudu Grace said the whole stuff was scripted, as they were just shooting a comedy skit and doesn't know it will go viral like it does.

Her friends also backed her up confirming it was just a comedy skit. 

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/lady-who-allegedly-ran-mad-after-her.html

Rivers man Sodienye Mbatumukeke sentence to death for killing Jumia agent over iPhone

 A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Monday sentenced one Sodienye Mbatumukeke to death after finding him guilty of two count charges of murder and armed robbery.

The accused who has been on trial since 2017 alongside alongside one Excel Naabee.

However, Nabee was acquitted and discharged by Justice Chigozie Igwe.

Police had alleged that the two accused conspired to kill one Chukwuma Eleje, a Dispatcher for Jumia, when he went to deliver items which included an as iPhone and other valuables ordered by Mbatumueke and his accomplice, Naabee in March 2017 in their house located at Ada George Road in Obio-Akpor local government area of Rivers.

According to the police, the two accused had strangled Eleje and dump his body in a septic tank.

His remains was later recovered by Homicide detectives of the Rivers State Police Command

The duo were first arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt before the case was transferred to the State High Court.

Justice Chigozie Igwe had reserved judgment till today, 15 January 2021 after the lawyers to the accused made the final submission last December.

In his submission, Bonaventure Ugwu, the counsel to Mbatumueke had urged the court to discharge and acquit his client with claim that the prosecution did not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Lucky Agor, the lawyer to Naabee, also asked the court to discharge and acquit his client, arguing that the prosecution failed to prove that Naabee was an accomplice in the murder of Eleje.

But in a counter submission, the Prosecution Counsel urged the Court to convict the accused as the 42 exhibits and 10 witnesses presented before the court proved their culpability in the murder of the Jumia agent.

He said the confessional statement of Mbatumeke proved that he tricked the deceased to come into the compound so he could kill him and collect his valuables.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/rivers-man-sodienye-mbatumukeke.html

Ogun LG staff stabs wife to death over suspicion of infidelity

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command at the weekend arrested Sobola Olatunji, 46, a staff of Remo North Local Government for stabbing his 38 years old wife to death on mere suspicion of infidelity.

The suspect was arrested following a complaint by the father of the deceased, Alhaji Ambali Yinusa who reported at Owode-Egba divisional headquarters that his son-in-law, Olatunji had a misunderstanding with his wife, Momudat Sobola which led to a physical fight between them.

He stated further that in the process, Olatunji took a knife and stabbed his wife in the back.

Upon the report, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Owode-Egba division, Matthew Ediae dispatched his detectives to the scene where the suspect was promptly arrested and the victim was quickly rushed to the hospital for treatment but gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.

A statement from the Ogun Police Command said on interrogation, the suspect, who claimed to have been married to the deceased for 20 years alleged that he suspected his wife to have been having extra-marital relationship because of some text messages he saw on her phone.

He stated further that it was when he challenged his late wife about his suspicions that fight broke out between them which eventually led to the death of the mother of three.

The corpse of the deceased had been deposited at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation and prosecution.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/ogun-lg-staff-stabs-wife-to-death-over.html

Northern Governors visit Makinde over Shasha market crisis

Following the crisis at the Shasha market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Governor Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi), on Monday, led Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Bello (Niger) and Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) into a meeting with Governor Seyi Makinde at Oyo State Government House, Ibadan.

The governors, who arrived at 7.03 p.m., were subsequently led into a closed-door meeting by the host governor, Makinde, which was rounded off after some minutes.

The meeting with Makinde has to do with the Shasha market crisis with the governors billed to make an on-the-spot assessment visit to the market on Tuesday.

The governors are also billed to meet with various stakeholders in the crisis on Tuesday, with a view to arriving at amicable resolutions.

Others present at the meeting are Special Adviser to the governor on Security, Mr Fatai Owoseni; Special Assistant to the governor on Community Relations (Arewa Community), Alhaji Ahmad Murtala; Serikis representing Hausa communities, among other stakeholders.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/northern-governors-visit-makinde-over.html

Rapper Eva gives abstract, but brutal response to marrying a poor man

Spits... God forbid!!! LOL.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/rapper-eva-gives-abstract-but-brutal.html

Man cries out, says police detained his brother since last EndSARS protest

A man has taken to Twitter to plead with the public to help secure the release of his elder brother who was reportedly arrested during the last EndSARS protest. 

He said his brother has been arrested and transferred to the Kirikiri prison without any trial. 

The man shared the picture of his brother as he revealed the police claimed they won't release him unless he produce  a sum of two hundred and fifty thousand Naira for his bail. 

He wrote:

”His name is Dominic Francis. My elder bro. He’s been in kiri Kiri without trial since the last #Endsars protest. They’re asking for 250k which I don’t have. I need help from you guys #FreeEromz”

See his post below:

His name is Dominic Francis. My elder bro. He's been in kiri Kiri without trial since the last #Endsars protest. They're asking for 250k which I don't have. I need help from you guys #FreeEromz pic.twitter.com/ldVipQBaCc

— Clin Ton (@IamClinton__) February 15, 2021

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/man-cries-out-says-police-detained-his.html

Can GTBank give up on Banking and focus on Fashion Week and selling jumpsuits? Wale Adetona says as bank online services goes bad

Lmaoo... Their online services has been really poor and Nigerians went through a lot all weekend with transactions hanging for hours.

They even sent messages to their customers apologising for the poor service.

Just as many Nigerians have been complaining about their services on social media, Wale Adetona and Omojuwa also have these to say.

Wale had tweeted; ''Can GTBank give up on Banking and just focus on Fashion Week and selling jumpsuits & Ankara pants?''

Then Omojuwa responded; ''This sounds funny but it doesn’t look like a bad idea. Even NDANI TV looks a viable option too.''

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/can-gtbank-give-up-on-banking-and-focus.html

Zimbabwe receives first batch of Covid vaccines

Zimbabwe, one of the landlocked countries in Southern Africa, has received its first batch of Covid vaccines, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

“The first batch of vaccines for Zimbabwe has been successfully delivered. We start vaccinating Zimbabweans this week!

“The faster our country is protected against this virus, the faster Zimbabwe’s economy can flourish,” Mnangagwa tweeted.

Four government ministers have so far died of coronavirus in Zimbabwe, prompting the country to further tighten lockdown measures.

According to media reports, several other cabinet ministers are fighting for their lives in a private hospital.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/zimbabwe-receives-first-batch-of-covid.html

Ogun: Herdsmen shoot okada rider, kidnap, butcher female passengers

Suspected Fulani herdsmen have reportedly kidnapped one Mrs. Ajoke Ishola on her way to farm along Igbo-Ori, Yewa North Local Government area of Ogun State.

Daily Post gathered that the incident happened around 11am on Monday, hours after four persons were killed at Agbon-Ojodu village in the same Yewa North.

It was learnt that the commercial motorcycle conveying Mrs. Ishola and one other woman was accosted by the suspected herdsmen, who were said to be armed with guns and machetes.

A son-in-law to the abducted woman, Engr Aremu Rafiu, confirmed the incident to Daily Post on Monday.

According to Rafiu, “The herdsmen shot the okada rider that carried my mother-in-law and the other woman. The bullet could not affect the okada rider, maybe he has some powers.

“But my mother-in-law was taken away, while the other woman was butchered in the head. She is currently receiving treatment at Ayetoro hospital.”

Rafiu explained that operatives of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) have begun a search for the abducted women in the bush.

Asked if the police had been informed, he replied, “We have not informed the police but OPC members are already in the bush searching for her.

“We don’t know why they took her away. Maybe they want to demand ransom or not, we don’t know. They have not contacted us for anything, but we are still searching, praying that she is rescued alive,” he narrated.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/ogun-herdsmen-shoot-okada-rider-kidnap.html

Okonjo-Iweala appointed as WTO DG

Former finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was Monday chosen as Director General of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The organization revealed this via its official tweeter handle @WTO.org.

According to the tweet, “members made history today (15 February) when the General Council agreed by consensus to select Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria as the organization’s seventh Director-General.”

Upon resumption on 1 March, Dr Okonjo-Iweala will become the first woman and the first African to be chosen as Director-General. Her term, renewable, will expire on 31 August 2025.

“This is a very significant moment for the WTO. On behalf of the General Council, I extend our warmest congratulations to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her appointment as the WTO’s next Director-General and formally welcome her to this General Council meeting,” said General Council Chair David Walker of New Zealand who, together with co-facilitators Amb. Dacio Castillo (Honduras) and Amb. Harald Aspelund (Iceland) led the nine-month DG selection process.

“Dr Ngozi, on behalf of all members I wish to sincerely thank you for your graciousness in these exceptional months, and for your patience. We look forward to collaborating closely with you, Dr Ngozi, and I am certain that all members will work with you constructively during your tenure as Director-General to shape the future of this organization,” he added.

The elated Okonjo-Iweala said a key priority for her would be to work with members to quickly address the economic and health consequences brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am honoured to have been selected by WTO members as WTO Director-General,” said Dr Okonjo-Iweala. “A strong WTO is vital if we are to recover fully and rapidly from the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to working with members to shape and implement the policy responses we need to get the global economy going again. Our organization faces a great many challenges but working together we can collectively make the WTO stronger, more agile and better adapted to the realities of today.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/okonjo-iweala-appointed-as-wto-dg.html

Edo teenager Osaro dies after gun in his pocket blows off his testicles

Pandemonium rocked Ayen, a small community in Uhunmwode local government area of Edo state, last weekend, when a locally-made gun carried by a 17-year-old boy accidentally exploded, and its bullet chopped off his testicle.

The boy simply identified as Osaro, allegedly hid the gun in one of the pockets of his trousers, before it went off as he was walking.

The bullet was said to have ripped off his testicles and he died before help could come his way.

Eyewitnesses said no one knew how the gun fired because the victim was alone when the incident happened.

The development caused confusion in the community.

It was gathered that youths in the community freely carry arms around, following reported clashes between Ayen and the neighbouring Owegie community over land dispute.

The dispute reportedly started when Ayen community allegedly sold some plots of land in Owegie community and the youths of Owegie mobilised to the site to recover the property and in the process, clashed with the youths of Ayen community.

The town hall of Owegie community was thereafter allegedly set on fire by suspected gunmen.

When contacted, the Edo state spokesman, SP Chidi Nwanbuzor, said he was not aware of the incident.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/edo-teenager-osaro-dies-after-gun-in.html

Police arraign 26-year-old for stealing 165 Samsung phones

The police have arraigned a 26-year-old man, Abu Adams, before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for stealing 165 Samsung phones, worth N11.6 million.

The defendant, charged with theft on Monday, under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecutor, ASP Benson Emuerhi, told the court that Adams committed the offence on January 16 at 7:00 am., at Isaac John Street GRA, Ikeja.

Mr. Emuerhi said the defendant stole 165 Samsung phones, valued at N11.6 million, belonging to Nelson Nigeria Ltd.

“Adams entered the shop and stole the items from where they were kept,” the prosecutor said.

The Chief Magistrate, J. A. Adegun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.

He, thereafter, adjourned the case until March 1 for further hearing. 

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/police-arraign-26-year-old-for-stealing.html

Tragedy as final year Katsina varsity student drowns in Dam

A final year student of the Federal University Dutsinma, FUDMA, Yusuf Abbas, has died while swimming at Zobe dam, in Dutsin-ma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Abbas, a student of Geography Department had gone to the Dam along with some friends to relax on February 12. 

It was gathered that his' corpse was retrieved and taken to his country home in Kano, where he was buried.

The SUG President, Aliyu Sale Damaga, confirmed the incident in a statement published by his S.A on Media & Publicity, Aliyu Bashir Maiyaseen. 

 

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/tragedy-as-final-year-katsina-varsity.html

Four OPC members arrested for beating man to death in Lagos

The Police operatives attached to Bariga Division of the Lagos State Police Command on Saturday arrested four members of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) for beating and stabbing a man to death.

The victim was Tochukwu Chidi, 35, of No 76 Arobadede Street, Bariga.

He was allegedly beaten to death after an argument with them at Temple Street, Bariga, Lagos.

A statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the suspects attacked the deceased and inflicted injuries on him.

“He was rushed to the General Hospital, Bariga for treatment before he was confirmed dead,” the statement said.

The suspects are Sunday Onilede, 35, Azan Razak, 35, Abdullahi Ibrahim, 29, and Fatai Taiwo, 40,.

The statement said the Commissioner of Police,Hakeem Odumosu, has condemned the act and directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba for proper investigation and prosecution.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/four-opc-members-arrested-for-beating.html

Meghan Markle is pregnant with her 2nd baby with Prince Harry

Meghan Markle is expecting her second baby with Prince Harry, a spokesperson for the couple has confirmed.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are currently residing in California, are preparing to welcome a brother or sister for their son Archie, who will be two in May, later this year.

A spokesperson for Meghan and Harry said: 'We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.' 

The couple shared their announcement - aptly on Valentine's Day - by posting a black and white image of Harry resting his hand on Meghan's head as she lay in his lap underneath a tree.

'The photograph of the Duke and Duchess was was taken by the couple's longtime friend Misan Harriman. What wonderful news for the Sussexes!!' their spokesperson added.

If born in the U.S., the baby will be entitled to U.S. citizenship as an automatic right. 

The news comes just months after Meghan, 39, revealed that she lost her second child to a miscarriage in an article for the New York Times.

It also comes on the 37th anniversary of when Harry's mother, Princess Diana, announced that she was pregnant with him on Valentine's Day in 1984. 

The sex of the couple's second baby, as well as the due date, remain unclear. 

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2021/02/meghan-markle-is-pregnant-with-her-2nd.html