Crime/Justice

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has condemned alleged extortions by some officers of the force in some areas within the country, most especially the extant case involving the officers of the Zone 16 Zonal Headquarters, Yenegoa, identified as ASP Emmanuel Ubong, Inspector Nse Okon, Inspector Adiewere Collins, and Inspector Kuromare Marine.

According to a statement issued by the Force Spokesman ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Friday, the officers were alleged of extorting the sum of Ten Million Naira from a group of young Nigerians.

ACP Adejobi said the money has been recovered through the efforts of the new Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 16, and the officers have since been detained and subjected to orderly room trial.

He added that the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of IGP Egbetokun, maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any act of corruption and police misconduct, as the Force takes every allegation of extortion and abuse of power extremely seriously.

ACP Adejobi also revealed that the police boss has however reassured the general public that the force will continue to investigate all allegations levelled against erring officers of the Force thoroughly.

The police image maker further disclosed that in pursuit of restorative justice, the Inspector-General of Police has mandated severe consequences for any officer, no matter how highly ranked, found culpable, acting as a deterrent to those who may seek to compromise the integrity of the Force.

Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 arrested 21 suspected internet fraudsters at different locations in Benin City.

The suspects were arrested based on actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet related fraud.

Items recovered from them include 10 exotic cars, laptops and phones

According to a statement issued by EFCC Spokesman, Dele Oyewale, the suspects will be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded.

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 130 suspects comprising 113 foreign nationals for their alleged involvement in high-level cybercrimes, hacking, and activities that threaten national security.

The suspects are 87 males and 26 females, primarily of Chinese and Malaysian origin, and their 17 Nigerian collaborators, 4 males and 13 females.

Spokesman for the force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

ACP Adejobi said this strategic operation was conducted through a coordinated raid on a building at the Next Cash and Carry area of Jahi, Abuja, where the suspects were reportedly using computers and other sophisticated devices to facilitate criminal activities.

According to him, the operation which was led by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, AIG Benneth Igweh, on Saturday, 3rd November 2024, comprised officers of the Nigeria Police Force Zone 7 Command Abuja and the National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC).

He also disclosed that the force is investigating the matter and scientifically analysing the exhibits recovered from them, adding that the suspects will be charged in court upon conclusion of investigations.

The Nigeria Police Force says it has recorded some significant achievements in the fight against various degrees of crimes across the country.

This includes the arrest of 371 armed robbery suspects, 186 kidnapping suspects, 242 Murder/homicide suspects, 63 suspects connected with the unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, 217 rape suspects, 167 suspected cultists and recovery of 210 various firearms, 3172 ammunition of various calibers.

According to a statement issued by the Force Spokesman ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Wednesday evening, these achievements were recorded since October 1st, 2024.

ACP Adejobi said the police were also able to recover 118 stolen vehicles and rescue 64 victims of kidnapping across the country.

He added that police operatives made an outstanding breakthrough in the fight against several types of violent crimes across the country, one of which is the arrest of a major arms dealer operating in Plateau State.

The police spokesman who gave the name of the suspect as Jubril Musa said he was arrested with 2 rounds of  7.62mm live ammunition (long), 1 Makarov pistol, 1 fabricated bronny pistol, a single round of 7.8mm live ammunition, 2 rounds of g3 live ammunition, 4 rounds of 7.6mm live ammunition (short), and a single round of 9mm live ammunition.

The statement further added that the suspect further confessed to supplying these various arms and ammunition to bandits and kidnappers operating in the state.

The Nigeria Police Force Special Investigation Unit and the Legal Section have arraigned Hon. Alexander Mascot Ikwechegh at the Kuje Magistrate Court on the charges of “Abuse of Office, Criminal Intimidation and Criminal Force and Assault Contrary to Sections 397(b) and 265 of the Penal Code Act.

The arraignment was in response to a case of assault on a bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, by Hon. Ikwechegh, on the night of October 27 2024.

The Force Spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday evening.

According to ACP Adejobi, the arraignment follows the conclusion of investigations into the case

The statement noted that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, had ordered a proper investigation into the matter to ensure that justice is served as well as  promoting human respect and dignity in Nigeria.

It added that the police boss reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, reassuring members of the public that the Force remains dedicated towards ensuring all fundamental steps are taken towards assuring justice always as no one is above the law.

Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 arrested fifty-five(55) suspected internet fraudsters at different locations in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State.

They were arrested in a sting operation in their hideouts following credible intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet-related offences

Items recovered from the suspects include nine exotic cars, two bikes, laptops, smart phones as well as charms.

According to a statement issued by EFCC Spokesman, Dele Oyewale, the suspects will be charged in court upon conclusion of investigations

Justice A. T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced a final year student of the University of Port Harcourt, Henry Nathaniel Ekanem forteen(14) years imprisonment for internet fraud.

He was jailed on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 upon arraignment by the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on seven-count charges bordering on obtaining money under false pretence and impersonation.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Henry Nathaniel Ekanem on or about 17th September, 2024, at Choba in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of Twenty Two United states of America dollars ($22)  from Diana Roskov by fraudulently representing yourself as Coran Capsha, manager of the singer, Chris Stapleton, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud- Related Offences Act 2006.

He pleaded guilty when the charges were read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, A. Abubakar called witnesses, tendered some documents as evidence which were admitted by the court and marked as exhibits. He thereafter prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

Counsel to the defendant, F. T. Fred-Boufini did not oppose the prayers by the prosecution. She rather prayed the court to temper justice with mercy stressing that the defendant was a first time offender with no previous criminal records.

Justice Mohammed convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment on each of the seven -count or an option of fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The judge also ordered that all the phones recovered from the convict be forfeited to the government,  being proceeds of crime.  The convict shall also depose an affidavit of good behaviour before the court.

Ekanem started his journey to the Correctional Centre when he was arrested by operatives of the Commission sometime in September, 2024 at Choba, Port Harcourt,  for internet fraud and other fraud-related  activities.

The convict successfully defrauded one Diana Roskov, among others, by fraudulently representing himself as Coran Capsha, manager of the singer, Chris Stapleton through WhatsApp and Instagram chats.

The Inspector General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has joined counterparts from across 51 African countries who are members of the African Union to deliberate on global and regional security issues as it affects the African continent at the ongoing African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL) meeting in Algiers, Algeria.

The 12th edition of the Steering Committee for the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation, a technical institution of the African Union holding today 29th to 30th October, 2024, at Algiers, Algeria, will bring together various heads of Police Institutions to address and deliberate on security and policing challenges faced in the African continent.

These challenges include terrorism and terrorism funding, human trafficking, and cyber-crime which are transnational in nature,

According to a statement issued by the Force Spokesman ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Tuesday, the meeting will proffer workable solutions towards tackling these challenges, and improve areas of collaboration and cooperation amongst police institutions in the African region

ACP Adejobi said the IGP is attending the meeting in his capacity as the Inspector-General of Police of the most populous black nation, and the Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs’ Committee (WAPCCO).

The statement noted that the Nigeria Police under the leadership of the IGP hopes to leverage this robust engagement towards ensuring maximum implementation of strategies to curb crime rate as it affects the country, particularly along borders with neighbouring nations.

Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, have convicted and sentenced 34 internet fraudsters to various jail terms

The convicts are; Kelly Maduabuchi Muonagu,  Nwokwu Chibuike Valerian, Chinonso Stanley Boniface, Nnamani Makuo Paschal, Ifeanyi Aju Kingsley, Kalu Odeghe Olu, Ikenna Onyebor Maxwell, Fimber Chinedu Ifewuka, Ekeh Callistus Uche, David Chibuike, Chidera Emmanuel Eze, Eberechukwu John Amuka, Okafor Nelson Chinedu, Opara Ifeanyi Nathaniel, Joel Chukwuemeka Amechi, Nnazoba Daniel Ekene, Ikechukwu Prince Gerald, Shedrack Chibueze Ngene and Darlington Odom Oruta.

Other include; Ifeanyi Celestine Akunwafor, Chinagorom Ifeanyi Destiny, Nwaugo Ifesinachi Paul, Somtochukwu Peter Ogbuefi, Emesurum Chinedu Stanley, Innocent Ikegbunem, Chidiukor Nnamani, Emmanuel Johnson Nwafor, Amuche Solomon Christopher, Ifeanyi Blessed Ikechineke, Eze John Ekene, Akubuogu Henry Kizito, Nwokeji Cosmas Uche, Eze Victor Chigadi and Egah Onyedikachi

They were prosecuted on one-count separate charges bordering on fraudulent impersonation, possession of proceeds of crime and obtaining by false pretence.

The charge against Kingsley reads; “That you, Ifeanyi Aju Kingsley, sometime in October 2024, at Onitsha, Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated Erica Clark, a foreign national by means of your HP Elite book 820G3 with serial number 5CG7201TP6 via a fake Facebook account with intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting foreign nationals and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2024 as amended and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act”.

The charge against Olu reads; “That you, Kalu Odeghe Olu, sometime in October 2024, at Onitsha, Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently presented yourself as a foreign shipping agent, by means of your Infinix Smart 5 via a fake email account; orbitglobalexpresstopofficial@gmail.com with intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting foreign nationals and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2024 as amended and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (IV) of the same Act”.

The convicts pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them separately. In view of their pleas,  prosecution counsel, Raymond Edozie prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

However,  defence counsel; Benard Okeke, James Nwatarali and Ifeanyi Odoh pleaded for leniency in sentencing the convicts, adding that the convicts were remorseful.

After listening to both sides, Justice Anyadike sentenced the convicts to eight months Imprisonment each with an option of fine of N70,000 (Seventy Thousand Naira) except for Valerian and Boniface who were given two months community service, which will be supervised by the Deputy Court Registrar.

The judge ordered that mobile phones and laptops recovered from the convicts  be auctioned and proceeds paid into the Single Treasury Account of the Federation.

The convicts bagged their imprisonment  when they were arrested on October 11, 2024 at different locations of Onitsha in Anambra State for internet-related offences.

Investigations revealed that while some of the convicts specialized in impersonating foreign shipping agents using numerous fake email addresses, others employed fraudulent skills to scam vulnerable women abroad.