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EFCC arrests man over $200,000 cryptocurrency fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested one Precious Omonkhoa for an alleged $200,000 (about N108 million) bitcoin investment scam.

Omonkhoa was arrested on November 8, 2021, in the Ikoyi area of Lagos, following credible intelligence received by the commission about his illegal activities.

He allegedly posed as Moshem Cinch, a Swedish national, to defraud unsuspecting victims of their hard-earned money by claiming that he runs a bitcoin scheme, where investors get huge returns.

A statement issued on Friday by EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, titled, ‘EFCC arrests man for $200,000 cryptocurrency fraud in Lagos,’ said the preliminary investigation also revealed that the suspect engaged in a dating scam and had defrauded two victims in Canada.

The anti-graft commission said, “Upon his arrest, the suspect confessed to have laundered the proceeds of his fraudulent activities by purchasing a piece of land worth $150,000USD through bitcoin from CASA-Cubana, a project being run by the Cubana Group.

READ  EFCC arraigns man for spending N20 million ‘mistakenly credited to his account’

“The sum of $50,000 was found in his bitcoin wallet. The suspect will soon be charged to court.”

Meanwhile, the Sokoto Zonal Command of the EFCC has secured the conviction of one Aminu Ahmed before Justice Malami Dogondaji of the Sokoto State High Court on a one-count charge of obtaining N2.549 million by false pretence.

The convict reportedly tricked one Ya’u Danladi under the guise of being his business partner and obtained the said sum meant for the supply of 900 bags of cement.

Ahmed allegedly received the money through an interbank transfer from the complainant’s account which he diverted to his personal use.

Thereafter, he became evasive and neither supplied the cement nor refunded the complainant.

He pleaded guilty to the charge and Dogondaji sentenced him to seven years imprisonment with an option of N200, 000 fine.

“The court also directed the convict to pay restitution in the sum of N2.549m to the nominal complainant,” a statement from EFCC read.

READ  Alleged $350,000 Fraud: Abidemi Rufai set for release on bail

 

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10 dead, 7 injured as building collapses in Ibadan

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At least 10 persons have died after a building collapsed in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, at Jegeda Oluloyo, Ona Ara LGA.

 

In a statement, the Oyo State Fire Service Agency said seven persons were rescued from the rubble.

 

“The Oyo State Fire Services Agency received a distressed call at around 2 am this morning at Jegede Olunloyo area, Ibadan, of which 10 persons have been recovered from the debris of the collapsed building, while seven persons were rescued alive,” the statement reads.

 

“Rescue operation is still going on.”

 

The incident adds to the growing list of building collapse incidents across the country.

 

In June 2023, a two-storey building collapsed in the Inalende area of Ibadan following a downpour.

 

At least seven people died last weekend after a building collapsed in the Sabon Lugbe area of Abuja.

 

READ  Court orders forfeiture of over $2m, 7 landed properties linked to Emefiele
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Police arrest ‘major arms dealer supplying weapons to bandits’ in Plateau

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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has arrested Jubril Musa,“a major arms dealer”, in Plateau state.

 

In a statement on Thursday, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson for the NPF, said Musa was apprehended with a cache of weapons.

 

He added that the suspect confessed to supplying arms to bandits and kidnappers in the region.

 

“The suspect, identified as Jubril Musa ‘m’, 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,” he said.

Adejobi added that within a month, the police arrested hundreds of suspects connected to crimes including armed robbery, kidnapping, and murder.

 

“Since October 1, 2024, the Nigeria Police Force has recorded significant achievements in the fight against crime,” Adejobi added.

 

“These include 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, and 167 suspected cultists.

READ  Kidnappers of Kogi LG chairman demand N100m ransom

 

“Additionally, 210 firearms and 3,172 rounds of various calibres of ammunition were recovered.

 

“The Police were also able to recover 118 stolen vehicles and rescue 64 kidnapping victims across the country.”

 

Adejobi said the arrests demonstrate the force’s commitment under Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), to address threats to public safety.

 

“The Inspector General of Police once again reassures members of the public of the Police Force’s dedication to enhancing the safety and security of the country through various tactical operations, intelligence-led policing, and community engagement strategies,” he said.

 

“The goal of these initiatives is to achieve a substantial decrease in crime rates across the country and to make significant strides in combating violent crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and cybercrime.

 

“Embracing a multifaceted approach to law enforcement, the Nigeria Police Force remains relentless in its mission to reduce crimes and criminalities in accordance with the Rule of Law, upholding the highest standards of professionalism in carrying out duties of protecting lives and properties.”

READ  EFCC arraigns ex-gov Obiano for alleged ₦4bn fraud

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Alleged abuse of office: Emefiele’s wife, niece received funds, listed as beneficiaries, witness tells court

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A former Secretary to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr John Ogah, continued his testimony on Wednesday before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, where he disclosed that his former boss, Godwin Emefiele, listed his niece as one of the beneficiaries of funds from an account allegedly operated on his behalf.

Ogah, who is testifying as the 6th prosecution witness made the disclosure while answering questions from the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rotimi Oyedepo.

 

Ogah told the court that he’s aware that the former CBN Governor once instructed the 5th prosecution witness, an account officer with Zenith bank, Ifeoma Ogbonnaya, to send funds into the account of his niece named Hannah.

 

Emefiele’s Counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olalekan Ojo, raised objections to this line of questions and queried the relevance of the testimony as Hannah’s name was not mentioned anywhere in the charge. He insisted that it was an attempt to introduce sensationalism into the matter.

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The EFCC Counsel, however, countered the objection, he maintained that it was connected to the fact in issue and abuse of office charge and of conferring corrupt advantage on Emefiele’s associates and immediate family members including his wife, Margaret.

Through the witness, the EFCC also tendered in evidence, several email messages he sent to the account officer of three companies, Comec Support Services Ltd, Limelight Multideimensional Services Ltd and Andswin Resources Limited in Zenith Bank to transfer funds to certain beneficiaries.

The EFCC had alleged that the companies were used to launder funds for the former CBN governor.

 

Justice Rahman Oshodi has adjourned the case to November 28, 2024, for continuation of trial.

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