I’ve been to hospitals, I can’t find my son, cries mother

Dayo Adeyemi, Taiwo Jimoh and Murtala Ayinla

Hysterical mothers on wednesday ran in utter panic and confusion frantically searching for their children, following the collapse of a three storey building at the Ita-Faji area of Lagos Island, which left many pupils dead.

Man bags 12 months imprisonment for US visa racketeering

Taiwo Jimoh

A 55-year-old man, Bello Nosiru Yinka, has been sentenced to one year imprisonment for procuring fake visa of all agencies and high commissions by the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU).

Tears as parents, sympathisers, mourn months old babies

Muritala Ayinla

 

Mothers and sympathisers wailed bitterly as the three storey building collapsed on some few months old babies kept in the crèche room of the school.

Four men convicted for impersonation, sending pornographic pictures

Juliana Francis

Four young men, Adegbola Kazeem Aina (a.k.a Marry Linson), Babarinde Jacob (a.k.a Rhonda Luna), Sokoya Oluwaseyi and Mufutau Yusuf Akorede, have been convicted for posing as ladies to defraud unsuspecting foreigners.

Frightened, wailing parents besieged hospitals

Appolonia Adeyemi

Frightened and wailing parents, wednesday, besieged different hospitals on the Lagos Island, frantically searching for their children, to ensure they were alive.

Heartbroken parents begin to bury their children

Muritala Ayinla

The atmosphere was thick with despair and silent weeping  at the homes of pupils that were still trapped under the rubble and those that there children or beloved ones had died.

Edo: Tales of sorrow from electricity consumers (II)

White men are part of USAID Power Africa Project – Discos

In this concluding part of the story on the alleged brutal treatment of electricity consumers in Edo State, Distribution Company (Disco) officials tell our Crime Editor, JULIANA FRANCIS, how white men are monitoring access to electricity

Edo: Tales of sorrow from electricity consumers

BEDC unleashes soldiers on residents

White men, gun-wielding soldiers and Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) officials brutalise customers for not settling their bills and energy theft. It sounds stranger than fiction? But the bizarre allegation is true, according to our Crime Editor, JULIANA FRANCIS, who went to Edo State to speak with the actors in the incredible drama

The amazons of cocoa farms (II)

CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY

In this concluding part of the stirring story of women cocoa farmers, a cocoa merchant reveals how these farmers contribute to socio-economic boost in Nigeria. Juliana Francis reports


One of the merchants that used to buy from the women is Mr. Victor Agosile. He has been a cocoa merchant for 22 years. He sells his cocoa to local firms and also exports it. Agosile explains that the process of the whole drama starts with the cocoa farmers. “Cocoa is planted for five years before it gets to the maturity stage.

The amazons of cocoa farms

Women brace the odds, lift cocoa farming

Cocoa farming is being revolutionised in Ondo State. Behind the revolution are women, young and old, some are widows. They are gradually taking over from the men, who are the traditional farmers. JULIANA FRANCIS, who went to Ondo State, returns with an inspiring story of the female farmers

Paradise of thorns: Cries of girls trafficked to Saudi

Pains, anguish of Nigerian slave girls in Saudi Arabia

Thousands of Nigerian girls and young women who went to Saudi Arabia and Oman as domestic workers are living in slave-like conditions, and crying out daily for help. JULIANA FRANCIS captures the stories and suffering of these victims

Piracy: Condemning intellectual property owners to penury

Unending tears of writers, publishers

The Nigerian society has witnessed the administration of different governments; yet, none has been able to curtail piracy, rendering many owners of intellectual property angry, frustrated and penniless. In this report, JULIANA FRANCIS takes a look at latest victims, probing the challenges of Nigerian Copyrights Commission

Police: Making up charges to fleece innocent Nigerians

Relying on instincts to make arrest

Police have a penchant for arresting people based on their manner of dressing. Although different Inspectors-General of Police have warned against such practices, termed rights violation, these persist. In this report, JULIANA FRANCIS examines why police still make arrest based on the way people look or dress

Stealing from our bosses is normal for drivers, says suspect

Sola Adeyemo

A 21-year-old truck driver, Adenuga Michael, arrested for diverting a truck load of tricycles worth N14, 400, 000, has told police that stealing was normal for most drivers.

Engineer arrested for impregnating househelp

Juliana Francis

Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has arrested a 51-year-old Civil Engineer for impregnating his 15-year-old househelp.

The engineer, Oluwadare Adesanmi, based in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, was alleged to have sexually abused his underage househelp, leading to pregnancy.

Inmate: SARS men refused to tender six cars, N200,000 taken me

Juliana Francis and Opeyemi Ayinde

A 33-year-old mother of three, Mrs Nneka Duru has revealed how her husband, Okechukwu Duru, became a guest at Ijebu-Ode Prison, located in Ogun State.

Suspected fraudster held for hacking into people’s account

Taiwo Jimoh

Detectives attached to Lagos State Police Command have arrested a suspected fraudster cum robber, who allegedly used to rob people of their Automated Teller Machine Cards (ATM) and later use it to withdraw money.

Ecobank, employee arraigned over $50,000, N9.2m fraud

Juliana Francis

A banker, Anieka Udoh has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Office, over alleged $50,000 and N9.2m fraud.

Court Adjourns Ex-Niger Gov, Aliyu’s N2bn Ecological Fund Trial to April 15

Justice Yalim S. Bogoro of a Federal High Court, sitting in Minna, Niger State, has adjourned the trial of a former governor of the state, Babangida Aliyu, to April 15, 2019.

Ex-Skye Bank Chair, Three Others Arraigned for Alleged N25bn Fraud

..The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on March 7, 2019, arraigned a former Chairman, Board of Directors, Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of a Federal High Court, (FHC) Abuja on a 10-count charge, bordering on money laundering to the tune of about N25,415,080,000

Four men convicted for internet fraud, to restitute to foreign victims

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, on Thursday, March 7, 2019 secured the conviction of Adegbola Kazeem Aina (a.k.a Marry Linson), Babarinde Jacob (a.k.a Rhonda Luna), Sokoya Oluwaseyi and Mufutau Yusuf Akorede.

Alleged N650m Fraud: Court Dismisses Ex-Minister’s Application

Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos has dismissed an application filed by a former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Jumoke Akinjide and her co-defendants in an alleged N650 million fraud case.

Armsgate: Veteran Broadcaster, Atere Testifies Against Okupe

The trial of former Senior Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, whom the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is prosecuting before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja continued on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 with veteran broadcaster, Olusola Atere testifying against Okupe. Atere retired as Executive Director News, NTA in 2016.

EFCC Arraigns Businessman for N8m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Office has arraigned the Managing Director of Farm Computers Limited, Umar Ibrahim, before Justice Darius Khobo of State High Court sitting in Kaduna on a one-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust to the tune of N8 million.

Ex-Skye Bank Chair Arraigned Over Alleged N4.5bn Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on March 6, 2019, arraigned Tunde Ayeni, a former Chairman, Board of Directors, Skye Bank Plc, before Justice Valentine Ashi of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Apo on a four-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust to the tune of N4,597,500,000.

Alleged N21bn Fraud: Witness Reveals How Ex-Air Chief, Amosu Laundered N12bn NAF Funds

A prosecution witness, Tosin Owobo, has told Justice C.J. Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos how a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Adesina Amosu (retd.) laundered various sums of money belonging to the Nigeria Air Force, NAF.

Subsidy Scam: Court Told how Oil Magnate, Adegbite Defrauded FG N735 Million

Justice Silvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court, Apo, Abuja, has adjourned hearing in the suit involving two directors of Origin Oil and Gas Limited, Adegibite Adetoye and others in the alleged N735million subsidy fraud to March 7th, 2019.

Banker arraigned over alleged theft of N81m

Juliana Francis

A banker, Oladimeji Balogun, was on Monday arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a four-count charge bordering on stealing to the tune of N81,720, 000.00.

12-year-old accuses ‘mum’ of stealing her five years ago

Stanley Ihedigbo

Policemen at Denton Police Station, Ebute-Metta were shocked speechless, when a 12-year-old girl, identified as Ikimot, recently walked into their station and declared that her ‘mum’ stole her five years ago.

DSS arrests Arabic teacher over alleged murder of nine-year-old pupil

Ben Adaji, Jalingo

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested an Arabic Teacher, working with Muhawshat Primary School Jalingo, Taraba State, for allegedly strangling his nine-year-old pupil, Sudais Umar Yola on Monday.

ELECTION VIOLENCE: ‘Our ordeal in the hands of political thugs at polling units’

Stanley Ihedigbo

Residents of Okota area of Lagos State will not forget last Saturday elections in a hurry.

We’re tired of police extortion, cyclists fume

Segun Ogunbo

Angry commercial cyclists plying the Ajuwo area of Ogun State have called on the state commissioner of police to save them from police extortion.

N400m textile deal goes awry as complaint accuse partner of fraud

Juliana Francis

A N400million textile deal has gone awry, leading to two business partners parting ways.

15 suspects arrested for attacking police station, destroying vehicles

…. Hausa community leader condemns action

 Stanley Ihedigbo

At least 15 persons have been arrested for allegedly attacking Ejigbo Police Station on Saturday night and destroying seven vehicles.

Chef slits lawyer’s throat to rob her, settle hotel bill

Taiwo Jimoh

Detectives attached to the Homicide Section, State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti Yaba, Lagos State, have arrested a chef for allegedly slitting the throat of a female lawyer at the Opebi, Ikeja area of the metropolis.

We us fake dollars to entrap victims, says gang leader

Taiwo Jimoh

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RSS), Ikeja, Lagos State Police Command have arrested the leader of a four-man- fraud syndicate.

Election violence in Bayelsa: How police chief escaped death

Juliana Francis

It has been revealed that the Deputy Commissioner of Police, in-charge of Federal Special anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS, Bayelsa state, Kolawole Okunola, who was abducted by armed thugs during the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly election, was seriously manhandled and was at the point of being beheaded when succour came.

Power disconnection: Three remanded for beating up IKEDC workers

Juliana Francis

Three persons have been remanded in prison custody for allegedly beating up workers of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company in the course of carrying out their duty.

‘I attacked cyclist with stone, climbed tree to watch him die’

Juliana Francis

Thirty-three-year-old Isah Hassan has revealed in chilling details, how he slammed a stone on the head of a commercial cyclist, Mohammed Baba, in order to kill and steal his motorcycle.

Manager Gets Six Years For N16m Fraud

Justice Ibrahim Wakil Jauro of the Yobe State High Court, sitting in Damaturu, on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 sentenced Mohammed Baba Isah, a manager in Damaturu-based MBC Synergy Limited to six years imprisonment.

Alleged N3.9bn Fraud: Badeh’s Company to Open Defence Mar 4

Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed March 4, 2019 for the company of late Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, to open its defence.

Court Adjourns Ex-Minister, Bulama’s N229m Fraud Trial to Mar 20

Justice Hammada Dashen of a Federal High Court, sitting in Damaturu, Yobe State, has adjourned the trial of a former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Abdu Bulama; Mohammed Kadai, a former state Commissioner for Integrated and Rural Development; Abba Gana Tata; Muhammad Mamu and Hassan Ibn Jaks, to March 20, 2019 following the absence of counsels to the fourth and fifth defendants.

Armsgate: Dasuki Fails to Stop Trial

Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama, has dismissed the application filed by a former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), asking the court to adjourn his N28.3 billion fraud trial sine die.

Man Bags 4 Months Jail Term for Impersonation

Justice Watilat Ibrahim of the Federal High Court 2, sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital has convicted and sentenced one Agboola Taiwo (a.k.a Mary Caesar) to four months imprisonment for  an offense bordering on impersonation, and contrary to Section 22(3) (b) and punishable under Section 22(4) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015.

Alleged N9.7bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Ex-Air Chief, Dikko’s Trial to Feb 28

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of a Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned the N9.7 billion fraud trial of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Umar Dikko, to Thursday, February 28, 2019.

Court Hears How Okupe Received N702m Windfall From Dasuki

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, opened its case against a former Senior Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, who is being prosecuted before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja for allegedly collecting money from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA for doing nothing.

Parties Adopt Final Addresses In Dudafa’s N1.6bn Fraud Trial

Parties in the ongoing trial of a former Senior Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, adopted their final written addresses before Justice Muhammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Court Adjourns Patience Jonathan’s Alleged $8.4m, N7.4bn Money Laundering Suit

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos has adjourned till March 13 and 14, 2019 for further hearing in the application seeking the final forfeiture of the sums of $8.4 million and N7.4 billion linked to Patience Jonathan, the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

EFCC Arraigns Man for Issuance of Dud Cheque

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Tunde Lawal before Justice V.S. Garba of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Kwali, on a two-count charge bordering on issuance of dud cheque to the tune of N8 million.

Court Adjourns Belgore’s Alleged N450m Fraud Trial To Mar 5

Justice Rilwan Aikawa of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos has adjourned further hearing in the trial of Muhammad Dele Belgore, SAN, to March 5, 2019.