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Ex-banker jailed eight years for N219 million fraud

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The Enugu State High Court, sitting in Enugu, has sentenced a former manager at Sterling Bank and Account Relationship Officer of OHHA Microfinance Bank, Oliver Anidiobi, to eight years imprisonment for offences involving N219 million fraud.

In his judgement, the judge, C.O Ajah, sentenced him after finding him guilty of a 32-count charge, a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said.

The defendant, who was arraigned on May, 7, 2019, used his position to convince the microfinance bank to deposit the said N219 million through him.

He proceeded to fix the money in a fixed deposit account and forged a deposit certificate to deceive the microfinance bank, while he diverted the funds for personal use, EFCC’s statement said.

With the money, the EFCC said Mr Anidiobi built a block of five flats, acquired several plots of land along the Enugu Port Harcourt Expressway, and an uncompleted four-bedroom bungalow at Centenary Estate, Enugu.

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He alsoo invested N65 million in a Ponzi Scheme called ‘Let’s Partner with You’ owned by one Patrick Nwokike.

“An estate valuer is to evaluate the defendant’s properties at his village, Centenary city, Enugu and Premier Layout, New Artisan, Enugu; to help determine their values so that they can be sold and the proceeds paid in restitution to OHHA microfinance bank,” EFCC said.

During his trial, the prosecution counsel, Michael Ani, presented five witnesses and tendered 75 exhibits while the defendant testified for himself.

At the last hearing on October 8, 2021, the judge, Mr Ajah, adjourned till November 2, 2021, for judgement.

In his verdict on Tuesday, the judge said, “the accused person did not deny nor challenge the allegations made by the EFCC.”

He added, “Any evidence not challenged is admitted as true. I am duty-bound to establish the evidence presented by the prosecution. The evidence is strong and compelling to grant conviction.”

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He then convicted and sentenced the defendant, Mr Anidiobi, to four years imprisonment on counts 1-14 without an option of a fine; four years on counts 15-17 and eight years on counts 28-32 without an option of fine.

The sentences are to run concurrently, implying he will spend eight years, which is the sentence with the longest jail term, in prison.

 

 

 

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Police parade ex-Oyo motor park boss, Auxiliary for murder, others

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Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Hamzat Adebola, on Thursday, paraded the former Chairman, Park Management System, Lamidi Mukaila fondly called Auxiliary.

 

The Department of State Services penultimate Tuesday arrested Auxillary at his Olodo residence in Ibadan, the state capital, months after the police had declared him wanted for allegedly involving in a series of armed robbery, kidnapping, and murder cases.

Adebola, while parading the suspect at the state police command, said he would be charged in court.

 

He said, “Discreet intelligence-led search commenced for the sacked PMS chieftain with the help of technology, collaborative efforts with sister services and community policing, many locations were identified, traced and combed for months until his recent arrest in a concerted effort with our sister services.

 

“Exhibits recovered in his possession at his Diamond Hotel residence around Alakia-Isebo Egbeda under Egbeda Local Government Area at the time include one AK-47 Riffle, four AK-47 magazines, 84 live AK-47 Ammunitions, 19 pump action riffles, one Barreta pistol, seven cut-to-size guns, one English made Barrel Gun.

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“724 live cartridges, 25 cutlasses, Seven Jack knives, 33 mobile phones, one Samsung laptop, charms, one Mazda Bus, one Toyota Sienna, cash sum of N3,450,000.00. Moving forward, the suspect would be charged to court for offenses committed.” He stated.

 

The CP, therefore, thanked the public for providing credible information to curb the crime in the state.

 

Adebola also reiterated the commitment of the command to deal decisively with any criminally motivated individual or group who intended to flip the state retrogressively into the historical dark ages of the “Wild West.”

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Army declares notorious ‘terrorist kingpin’ Halilu Buzu wanted

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The defence headquarters has declared one Halilu Buzu, a suspected terrorist kingpin, wanted.

 

Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday, Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, said Buzu is a citizen of Niger Republic but resides in Zamfara.

 

Buba said the army has been on his trail, adding that he is also wanted for killing 19 villagers in Farar Kasa area of Zamfara.

 

He said the suspected terrorist leader is well connected with arms suppliers in Libya.

 

“We are on the hunt of one Halilu Buzu. This Halilu Buzu is a terrorist leader that hails from Buzu in the Republic of Niger,” he said.

 

“He settles in Subbubu forest which is somewhere around Zamfara as well as lives in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara.

 

“He has an illegal gold mining located at Kware in Anka LGA of Zamfara state and he also has a lot of boys working for him.

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“Additionally, he is a prominent cattle rustler. Last week, his boys killed 19 villagers at Farar Kasa and for us he is a high-value target, therefore, we declare him wanted.

 

“Furthermore, he is a major arms dealer, supplier, and suspect that is trusted by arms dealers supplying arms from Libya.

 

“Whenever we close in on him, he goes across the border into the Niger Republic for refuge.

 

“At this time, we have through appropriate channels, called on the Nigerien authorities, regional authorities and international bodies to support us in effecting his arrest and holding him accountable for his atrocities.”

 

Buba said the army has been working in various theatres of operation to address attacks against troops and citizens.

 

“We are also hunting those that are of symbolic value, including all those that have been declared wanted,” he added.

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Six dead, 24 injured in Kano mosque explosion, say police

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The police command in Kano says the death toll from the mosque explosion in the state has risen to six.

 

The explosion occurred on Wednesday morning at Gadan village in Gezawa LGA of the state.

 

Abdullahi Kiyawa, police spokesperson in Kano, said the explosion occurred at about 5:20am during morning prayers.

 

Kiyawa said the injured victims were 20 male adults and four children, adding that preliminary forensic analysis revealed a petrol explosion.

 

He also said one Shafi’u Abubakar has been arrested as the prime suspect behind the explosion.

 

Soon after the explosion, Umar Sanda, an assistant inspector-general of police (AIG) in charge of zone 1, said one victim was confirmed dead at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.

 

Speaking on Thursday, Usaini Gumel, the state police spokesperson, said the death toll had risen.

 

Gumel said the suspect’s motive is linked to a family conflict. He added that investigation is ongoing.

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