The Nation Newspaper

Tag: couple

  • Couple demands N22m compensation from property firm

    Couple demands N22m compensation from property firm

    A Nigerian couple living in the United States is demanding compensation of N22 million from Landwey Investment Ltd over a failed property transaction.

    But the property firm has denied any wrongdoing.

    Oluyomibo Olaniyan and Olubukola Akande wrote the Lagos State Government in a complaint titled, “Petition Against Landwey Investment Ltd on Flagrant Breach of Agreement on Purchase of Three Bedroom Terrace Duplex: Fraudulent Property Transaction”.

    However, upon receipt of the last tranche of refund from Landwey Investment Ltd, the couple insisted that the money the Developer paid was not the true value of their money as the principal paid years back was calculated at N400 to a dollar as against N1250 to a dollar as at today.

    They had paid for the construction of a three-bedroom Townhouse with one living room and a boys’ quarter in 2022 in Ogombo area of Lagos in the failed transaction.

    Olaniyan said they backed out of the project because the firm did not meet its obligations to build within six months.

    Olaniyan said after two years of failed promises, they requested for a full refund on July 7, 2023, but the firm breached its promise to return the complete money within 90 days.

    He said a 50 per cent payment of 26,450,000 was completed on March 19, 2022.

    The couple expressed dissatisfaction with the depreciation caused by the refund after over 18 months.

    They insisted that the “waiting period for the refund had detrimentally devalued the money by well over 50 per cent of its original value”.

    They said a legal firm as well as a reputable property valuer were working to establish their case and would be demanding adequate devaluation compensations for abuse of trust.

    “Landwey needs to pay us the difference in inflation rate which is $18,021 or 22 million Naira,” the couple said.

    They noted that the amount they paid to the firm in dollar terms in 2022 was $44,084.

    According to them, inflation had affected the refund made in two tranches because the Naira had depreciated from N1,250 to a Dollar in 2024.

    They explained that they paid $44,084 which amounted to N26,450,000 when the exchange rate was N600 to a Dollar on March 19, 2022.

    They said Landwey Investment Ltd in April 2023 refunded N10,000,000 when the exchange rate was N775.

    They added that by January 2024 when the firm made a complete refund of N16,450,000 the exchange rate had gone higher to N1,250 to a Dollar representing additional loss.

    “Total value in dollar today = 26,063 $44,084-26,063 = 18,021

    “Landwey needs to pay us the difference in inflation rate which is $18,021 or N22 million,” they said.

    The husband, Oluyomibo Olaniyan had earlier at the press conference narrated how hard his life had been working in a dangerous prison abroad and his desire to return home after 35 years.

    “A lot of Nigerians abroad want to return home to invest but we are afraid of things like this,” he said.

    Olaniyan, an accountant said they observed due diligence before embarking on the project by hiring an agent and a lawyer who both gave a clean bill to go ahead with the property transaction.

    He said the agent that gave the link to the firm collected a consultancy fee of N2 million while the lawyer was paid a million Naira.

    “We took a second mortgage in the United States to pay this guy (Landwey Investment Ltd) hoping that we will get something. Now, we are paying a loan abroad for something we didn’t get. It is not fair.

    “When we changed the money, we changed one dollar to N400. It was $65,000. Now, the money has lost value fourfold,” he said.

    He called for government intervention to encourage a large population of diasporan Nigerians willing to return home to invest to have confidence in Nigeria.

    He said there were pictures of the firm’s owner with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Oni of Ife giving credence for people to trust in the company.

    “It’s not easy where we work. I work in the most dangerous prison in America. Sometimes I get beaten up, spat on, cursed at, and people dying everyday.

    Read Also: Tinubu approves $700m roads to boost business activities at Lekki Port

    “We gather that money and say oh I want to do something in my country and get swindled?,” he queried.

    The wife, Olubukola Akande who joined the Press Conference on the phone lamented their inability to bring their children home on vacation because of the inability to secure the house.

    Responding on behalf of Landwey Investment Ltd, a senior official, Chinonye Agwuncha, said the firm did not breach any agreement.

    She insisted on a phone call that the firm honoured all its obligations and would carry out the last payment.

    She declined to comment when contacted a second time on the issue of payment of compensation due to the depreciation of the currency, insisting the client should write through a lawyer for proper documentation.

    “He should ask his lawyer to write to us. I wouldn’t speak on that topic unless he gives us a complaint because the communication between him and the company is effectively documented from point start till the point he was paid.

    “And at all times he was in the know of how much he was getting. So if after he has received his money, he decides to carry out any action, we can’t stop a client from doing that.

    “So we will wait to get formal communication from his attorney, while we respond,” she added.

  • Couple sell only son in Calabar

    The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a man, Mr Daniel Bassey, and his wife, Magdalene, for allegedly selling their two-year-old son for an undisclosed amount in Calabar, the state capital.

    Addressing reporters in yesterday, Police Commissioner Hafiz Inuwa said the couple were arrested when the wife reported at the Efut Divisional headquarters that her husband took their only son, Moses, to an unknown person in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, through a woman, simply called Mummy, and collected an undisclosed amount of money.

    “The suspect was later arrested.

    During interrogation, it was revealed by Daniel that the mother of the baby was party to the transaction.

    The couple are in police custody to unravel the cause of this inhuman action and possible prosecution,” Inuwa said.

    The police chief said the police would ensure that the baby is recovered.

    Daniel, who was paraded alongside his wife and 78 other suspects, admitted to the crime.

    The suspect said he was 27 years old.

    The indigene of Akwa Ibom State said he did it because of economic hardship.

    Daniel said he has two children: a three-year-old girl and Moses.

    Magdalene, who said she was 22 years old and from Bakassi Local Government Area in Cross River State, admitted that she consented to the act to enable them solve their financial problems.

    Inuwa, who paraded 80 suspects for various offences, said the command also seized 11 firearms, N92,000 cash and recovered two vehicles.

    He said security was everybody’s business and urged the public to sheare timely and useful information to enable the police do their job better.

  • Gunmen kill couple in Anambra

    Gunmen on Saturday night killed a man and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ifekandu.

    The incident occurred at Umuota village, Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government of Anambra State.

    The Nation learnt that the suspects were allegedly contracted by people believed to be involved in a land dispute with the deceased.

    A source, who pleaded anonymity, said the suspects were yet to be arrested.

    “The incident occurred close to the palace of the traditional ruler.

    “The couple, after having dinner, went to bed. The incident happened at night. Neighbours said they heard gunshots,” the source added.

    The Nation gathered that the deceased were the only ones attacked in the house. The attackers did not steal anything.

    Police spokesman Haruna Mohammed said investigation was on.

    He urged the public to assist the police with information that would lead to the arrest of the killers.

     

  • Couple kill cousin for beating children over ‘pot of soup’

    A 35-year old woman was allegedly beaten to death by a couple over scuffle she had with their children in Okpo village, Ekwulobia, in Aguata local government area of Anambra State.

    The deceased, identified as Uju, said to be related to the couple, Mr and Mrs Okafor, reportedly gave up the ghost following series of flogging by the suspects.

    The Nation gathered that the children of the suspects were playing football within their compound in the evening of the day of the incident  when their ball suddenly fell into the deceased’s pot of soup, which she seized.

    “Okafor’s children rushed immediately and reported the matter to their mother who did not take it lightly, as she hurriedly went over to Uju’s apartment and pounced on her,” one of the neighbors said.

    The neighbor, who preferred anonymity added that while the fight ensued, her (Okafor) husband, who got wind of the incident, rushed to the scene and teamed with his wife to flog the deceased.

    According to the source, the beating persisted until the deceased collapsed and lost consciousness, adding that she was later rushed to Dionye Memorial Hospital where she was confirmed dead by the doctor.

    The chairman of the community, Chief Peter Odika, confirmed the incident, describing it as abomination.

    He explained that the deceased was Mr Okafor’s second cousin, adding that the village would meet, while they wait for the police to conclude its investigations.

    “The accused will be made to undergo certain cleansing rites in order to appease the gods of the land and to avert whatever curse such an abominable act could attract,” he added.

    When our correspondent visited the town, some angry women from the village were seen protesting against the act, chanting “it is an abomination, an abomination has occurred.”

    Efforts to get the reaction of the state police spokesperson, Mohammed Haruna, was unsuccessful, but a police officer who preferred anonymity, said the suspects were presently cooling in Ekwulobia Police station.

  • Couple, others arrested for alleged ATM theft in Jigawa

    FIVE suspected criminal, including a couple who specialised in stealing Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, have been arrested by the police in Jigawa State.

    Parading the suspects, Police Commissioner Bala Zama said of the five, two were husband and wife, identified as Rilwanu Sambo, 31, and Sadiya Sambo, 29.

    Both are said to be from Bauchi State.

    The couple was reportedly arrested at an Ecobank branch while withdrawing money from a victim’s account at 11 p.m on May 26 in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.

    Zama said: “The police arrested them after reports by Hauwa Mustapha, who the male suspect promised to assist in withdrawing money from her account, only to deceive her and withdrew N28,000 without her consent.”

    The police chief said the victims reportedly confessed to defrauding Sani Garba and Aminu Umar of their ATM cards by tricking their victims and stealing N45,000 and N50,000 from them.

    He added that the suspects confirmed to have also defraud Alhaji Auwalu of N435,000 in May.

    The police commissioner said the command recovered N155,000 and the victims’ ATM cardsý from the suspects, who he said would soon be charged to court.

    The command also arrested a 28-year-old man, Yusuf Aminu, for allegedly attempting to steal N20,000 after he stole an ATM card belonging to Auwalu Haruna at a Diamond Bank branch in Dutse.

    The police also paraded Zakari Saidu, 25, an indigene of Adamawa State, for allegedly attempting to steal a Yoyota Corolla at Takur Adu’a in Dutse.

    Zama said: “In the course of investigation, the suspect confessed to have opened the vehicle with intent to steal it.

    “A master key, some quantity of Tramadol tablets and dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, were found on the suspect. He is a member of a syndicate that has been disturbing the state with the theft of vehicles.”

    Also arrested is Auwalu Musa, said to be a member of a syndicate that specialised in motorcycle theft at the Federal University, Dutse (FUD).

  • Court remands couple for alleged First Bank cheque forgery

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos yesterday remanded a cohabiting couple, Patrick Nana, 35 and Ifeoma Alexander, 39, who allegedly forged a First Bank cheque with intent to withdraw N98, 000.

    Chief Magistrate Mrs. O .I. Raji granted the accused bail at N150, 000 each with two sureties.

    She said the sureties should be employed with an evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State government.

    “The accused should remain at Kirikiri Prisons pending when the bail conditions will be met,” Raji said.

    The accused, living at 31, Unity Estate, Giwa, Oke-Aro, Lagos are facing a five-count charge on conspiracy, forgery, fraud and false pretences.

    The prosecutor, Rachael Williams, said the accused committed the offences on March 23 at First Bank, Iju Road, Lagos.

    She said the accused with others at large, conspired to commit felony by stealing one slip of First Bank cheque, with an account name, Soluade Olawale .

    “The accused fraudulently procured the execution of valuable security to withdraw N98, 000 from the account of Soluade Olawale,” the prosecutor said.

    The duo pleaded not guilty.

    The offences contravene sections 314, 322, 329, 365 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    The magistrate adjourned the case till April 19.

     

  • Couple declared wanted for ‘fraud’

    Enugu State Police Command has declared a couple wanted for alleged N63 million forgery and fraud in a mortgage  institution.

    Spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said in a statement in Enugu yesterday that the Criminal Intelligence and  Investigations Department had begun investigation  into the matter.

    He said the wife, Mrs. Chinyere Amalunweze, 36, an indigene of Umuegbu Ego village, Nnobi community in Idemili South Local Government of Anambra State is fair in complexion and a former worker of a mortgage  institution.

    Amaraizu said the husband, Mr. Tony Amalunweze, 38, from Umulumgbe community in Udi Local Government of Enugu State, who lives at 2a, Akpugo Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, is dark in complexion.

    “They were alleged to have been involved in a case of conspiracy, forgery and fraud in which they defrauded a mortgage institution of N63 million and escaped.

    “The command is asking the public with information about how they can be traced, to report to the nearest police station,” he said.

     

  • Couple ‘batters’ nine-year-old housemaid

    A COUPLE,   Valentine and Stella Anyakaora, has been arrested for allegedly battering their nine-year-old maid, Favour Chiamaka.

    The incident occurred at 2, Dominic Street, Ijegun, on the outskirts of Lagos.

    They were arrested by policemen attached to Ijegun, Satellite Division following a complaint by a rights group.

    A man was said to have seen the child looking scruffy with an injury, which was almost chopping off on her fingers.

    The man was said to have realised that she was being maltreated after questioning her.

    The couple, it was learnt,  brought her to Lagos from the east after promising her parents that  they would  train her.

    A social media user, Iyke Nzelibe, said there were obvious marks of violence on the child’s body, adding that she lived under torture; was subjected to hard labour and was poorly fed.

    Nzelibe said: “The poor girl was sent on an errand yesterday to buy something when a good samaritan met her in a nearby store with decayed, maggot feasted fingers.

    “The good samaritan intervened by getting human rights involved in the case. The woman’s husband was arrested. His wife was nowhere to be found. Mothers, please, be mindful of the people you give your kids to.”

    Police spokesman, Chike Oti, a Superintendent (SP),  said the suspects would be charged to court  after investigation.

  • Couple dies as suspected herdsmen attack community

    Couple dies as suspected herdsmen attack community

    A victim, allegedly attacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government of Delta State, has died of injuries.

    The victim, Mrs. Patience Akpomiemie, who was attacked on her farm, died last weekend at Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH),Oghara.

    The Nation learnt that the victim’s husband, Mr. Happy Akpomiemie, who was also allegedly attacked by suspected herdsmen, died on the spot. He was shot in the back.

    It was gathered that the couple and son were shot while working on their farm.

    The President-General of Abraka Development Union, Dr. Joseph Tedwins, condemned the violence wreaked on the community by suspected herdsmen, saying “we have lodged a complaint at the police station.”

    He added: “We are mourning the deaths. The law forbids us to retaliate. We have lodged a complaint at the police station. The police commissioner has visited our community. The police are investigating the incident. No suspect has been arrested. It appears these people are operating guerilla warfare, they attack and disappear. No culprit has been nabbed. We keep losing our people. Our farm produce are destroyed and farms torched. The killings have continued again. Until the government decides to do something about it, it is going to be a difficult thing.

    “As a community, we cannot take the law into our hands. We do not have any faith in the security agencies. The area commanders, most of the security agents that should take decision on this matter are of northern extraction. They pretend to be doing one thing or the other about the matter, but they are not doing anything. But if you raise your hand to slap or insult a Fulani man, the next minute they (police) will want to arrest everyone. This is the situation we find ourselves.”

    Police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka said: “We have not arrested any suspect

    “We have gone beyond making arrest. But never again will this happen in Abraka. We are working with other security agencies and stakeholders, including the traditional institutions, to solve the problem.

  • EFCC arraigns couple for ‘N32.5m fraud’

    EFCC arraigns couple for ‘N32.5m fraud’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Office, has arraigned Austin Mbonu and Nnenna Mbonu, aka Chika Mbonu, alongside their companies- Global Steno Nigeria Ltd and Nestins Global Links Ltd- before Justice O. A. Taiwo of the state High Court, Ikeja.

    They were arraigned on a 20-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, forgery and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N32,507,628.08

    One of the counts reads: “That you, Austin Mbonu, Nnenna Mbonu (aka Chika Mbonu) and Nestins Global Links Ltd, on or about the 30th day of June, 2017 in Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain the sum of N14, 145,686.95 (Fourteen Million, One Hundred and Forty-five Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty-six Naira, Ninety-five Kobo) from Fidelity Bank PLC as the cost of facilitation of a Local Purchase Order (LPO), contract from Chivita Nigeria Ltd.”

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecution counsel, Nkeruwem Anana, asked for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody.

    But the defence counsel, Peter Ozodiale, moved an application for bail on behalf of his clients.

    He said: “My Lord, the defendants have been in EFCC custody for days. The second defendant, Nnenna Mbonu, is a nursing mother; she has a four-month-old baby.”

    Justice Taiwo adjourned the case till February 2 for hearing of the bail application and ordered the defendants to be remanded in EFCC custody.

    On February 2, they were granted bail after meeting the conditions.

    Trial has been fixed for March 19, 20 and 24.