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Tag: jailed

  • Man jailed seven years for N43m fraud

    Man jailed seven years for N43m fraud

    Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court has sentenced one Stanley Amaogo to seven years imprisonment for N43 million fraud.

    Justice Dada held that the prosecution clearly proved its case against the convict beyond reasonable doubts.

    The judge, therefore, convicted and sentenced Amaogo to seven years imprisonment on count one.

    The judge also convicted and  ordered the second defendant to pay a fine in the sum of N500,000 within 30 days.

    The defendants were also ordered to restitute the sum of N43m in favour of the complainants.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos had arraigned Amaogo and his company, Double Miracle Ventures on January 13, 2022 on a two-count amended charge bordering on stealing, contrary to Section 285(9)(b) Criminal Law of Lagos 2011 and obtaining money under false pretence, contrary to Section 1(a) and (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud.

    Read Also: Man jailed 14 years for attempted sexual assault

    He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

    During trial, the prosecution counsel of the EFCC, B.O.A Sonoiki and U.S. Kyari, had called two witnesses and tendered several documents that were admitted in evidence by the court.

    The defence also called three witnesses before the parties adopted their final written addresses and closed their cases.

    One of the counts reads: “That you, Stanley Amaogo and Double Miracles Ventures, sometime in April 2018 in Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, stole by fraudulently converting to your own use the sum of N43,080,000, property of Mr. Francis Okoye, Managing Director of Fontek Crystal Resources Limited…”

  • Man jailed one year for possession of fraudulent documents

    Man jailed one year for possession of fraudulent documents

    By Adebisi Onanuga, Elizabeth Eze, Abiola Ogunlaya and Aliyat Amoo

    Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of an Ikeja Special Offences court has sentenced a man, Joseph Odumusor, to one year imprisonment for possession of fraudulent documents.

    Justice Abike-Fadipe convicted Odumusor after he pleaded guilty to a one-count amended charge dated March 27, 2025.

    The judge, however, gave the convict an option of fine in the sum of N500,000 and 100 hours of community service.

    The convict was re-arraigned yesterday before the court on a one-count amended charge bordering on possession of false documents containing false pretenses.

    Delivering judgement in the matter, Justice Fadipe-Abike said she has considered the defendant as a first time offender and did not waste the time of the court.

    “I also observed that the proceeds of the crime which the defendant uses in purchasing a Mercedes Benz GL 53 be forfeited, including the iPhone 16 pro max, Alien laptop to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “Where the defendant elects the option of fine and community service, the non-custodial unit of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) shall release him to the Ministry of Justice for his community service and proof of payment of the fine.”

    During the trial, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuting counsel, Ahmad Yerima, presented a witness in court John Daniel, who in review of facts informed the court that the defendant was arrested on March 7, 2025 by the Nigeria police force Zone 2 and handed him over to the commission.

    Daniel told the court that he made a voluntary statement under caution where the defendant said he was into loading scam. which means picking an account that has not been in use for a while, fraudulent documents were printed out in his presence.

    Read Also: Two jailed for mob attack on LASTMA officials

    He further told the court that the defendant benefited the sum of N150 million which he used in purchasing the Mercedes Benz unregistered GL 53.Also an iPhone 16 pro max and a grey colour laptop.

    The EFCC prosecutor tenders in evidence the letter of transfer of the defendant from the Nigeria police, extra judicial statements of the defendant, fraudulent documents printed out from his iPhone, pictorial look of the Mercedes Benz GL 53, grey laptop and key to the Benz to support his offence.

    The prosecutor urge the court to convict and sentence the defendant according to his plea.

    The defense counsel Peter Taiwo did not object.

  • Supervisor jailed two years for N11.234 million fraud

    Supervisor jailed two years for N11.234 million fraud

    Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of an Ikeja Special Offences Court  yesterday sentenced a supervisor at the Hajj and cargo terminal gate of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Muhammed Idris to two years imprisonment for making false returns and corrupt self-advantage to the tune of N11,234,000.

    Justice Abike-Fadipe sentenced the convict to one year imprisonment on each of the two count charge brought against him by the  Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    Idris was however fined  N1million on each of the count  in lieu of a fine of N1,000,000 for both counts. The sentences are to run concurrently.

    In addition, the defendant is required to be of good behavior and enter a bond with the registry of the High Court in the sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000).

    Read Also: Electoral Fraud: Northern groups applaud Tinubu, INEC over dismissal of three RECs

    Justice Abike-Fadipe said failure to comply with these terms will result in a further imprisonment of ten years.

    During trial, ICPC revealed how the accused collected missing monies in the course of his work but could not account for them.

    In the two-count charge, ICPC counsel, Yvonne Williams-Mbata, led evidence before the court on how  investigation uncovered a total loss of N11,234,000 under the defendant’s supervision and watch between February 2001 and April 2021.

    His offence is contrary to Sections 26(1)(b) and Section 25(1) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

  • Man jailed 12 years for raping woman in Pudah

    Man jailed 12 years for raping woman in Pudah

    An Oyo State High Court has sentenced a middle aged man, Idris Rasheed to 12 years imprisonment for having an unlawful and forcefull carnal knowledge of one Tawakalitu Olayiwola, a woman in Pudah (popularly called Eleha in Yoruba).

    On January 28, last year, about 10pm, Tawakalitu Olayiwola, a woman in Pudah (Eleha) was stranded at Abayomi Area, Iwo Road, Ibadan.

    A Muslim, Tawakalitu, thought of passing the night at any mosque, and approached Rasheed to guide her to the nearest mosque in the area.

    But, the defendant lured the victim to a desolate place where he had unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim.

    Read Also: A’court acquits Lagos doctor jailed for raping wife’s niece

    The defendant was arrested by people after the woman had escaped from the dilapidated house and was handed over to the police at Testing Ground, Agodi before he was transferred to State C.I.D, Iyaganku, Ibadan for further investigation.

    The defendant was subsequently charged to court and found guilty.

     Counsel to the defendant, Mr O. A Ekundayo, who urged the court to tender justice with mercy.

    He pleaded with the court to give the defendant another chance considering his young age. But, Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, presiding over Court 10 of the Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan had adjourned the matter for adoption of the final written address of counsel which were adopted.

  • Man jailed 10 years for child defilement

    Man jailed 10 years for child defilement

    A Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja yesterday sentenced one Bamidele Folorunsho to 10 years imprisonment for defilement of a minor.

    Justice Rahman Oshodi convicted the defendant of a two-count amended charge brought against him by the prosecutor, O. Aluko.

    The charges were indecent treatment and sexual assault of a minor who rub her anus with hisv hands and fondled her breasts.

    The defendant was initially charged with the offence of defilement of a 12-year-old girl in February 2018.

    He pleaded not guilty on his arraignment in October 2021.

    Read Also: Couple jailed 10 years for N52m fraud

    He was re-arraigned on December 11, this year on a two-count amended charge offence following a plea bargain agreement.

    The survivor was12 years old at the time the alleged offence was committed.

    The prosecutor, Aluko  informed the court that both parties have entered a plea and sentence agreement.

    He further informed the court that the plea bargain required filing an amended charge.

  • Two Nigerians jailed 10years in US for $6m fraud

    Two Nigerians jailed 10years in US for $6m fraud

    Two Nigerians described as co-conspirators in a business email compromise scheme, have been sentenced to a combined jail term of 10 years by a federal jury in the United States of America.

    Okechuckwu Osuji and Tolulope Bodunde’s conviction was contained in a press statement signed by the Office of the Public Affairs, US Department of Justice.

    The statement said that Bodunde and Osuji were jailed over their conviction in a fraudulent scheme to which some US companies and elderly citizens fell victim, leading to a loss of about $6 million to their victims.

    According to the statement, Bodunde was jailed for two years in a judgment delivered on October 16, 2024 while Osuji was sentenced to eight years imprisonment on Wednesday.

    Read Also: A’court acquits Lagos doctor jailed for raping wife’s niece

    The statement reads: “Okechuckwu Valentine Osuji, 39, a Nigerian national, was sentenced yesterday in New Haven, Connecticut, to eight years in prison for operating a business email compromise scheme out of multiple countries, including the United States.

    “According to court documents and statements made in court, Osuji and his co-conspirators targeted specific individuals and businesses by masquerading as trustworthy entities in electronic communications to obtain money.

    “They used witting and unwitting ‘money mules’ to receive fraud proceeds in their bank accounts and then either transferred those funds from the money mule accounts to accounts under the co-conspirators’ control or converted the stolen proceeds to cash for further transfer.”

  • A’court acquits Lagos doctor jailed for raping wife’s niece

    A’court acquits Lagos doctor jailed for raping wife’s niece

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has discharged and acquitted the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Dr Olufemi Olaleye, of defilement of his wife’s niece.

    Dr Olaleye was accused of raping his wife’s teenage niece and was sentenced to life imprisonment by an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court.

    The trial judge at the lower court had found the case presented by the prosecution as compelling.

    Olaleye had appealed his conviction by the lower court seeking an order of the appellate court to quash his conviction and life sentence for defilement and sexual assault by penetration of a minor.

    Delivering judgment in the matter yesterday, the court of appeal determined all five issues of appeal against the prosecution in favour of the appellant.

    Justice Jimi Bada of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, who read the lead judgment of the three-man panel, held that the trial court erred in convicting Dr Olaleye based on “tainted” and “unreliable” evidence of his estranged wife, Oluremi, and the alleged survivor (names withheld).

    Justice Bada said there were material contradictions in the evidence gathered by the prosecution, which shouldn’t have been relied on by the lower court.

    The appellate court faulted the evidences of the prosecution during trial, which it noted were from a child forensic specialist, a medical doctor from the Mirabel centre and the investigating officer.

    The appellate court held that the evidences against the appellant were found to be “worthless”.

    The appellate court held that the trial judge at the lower court descended in the arena and interfered in the proceedings to bridge the yawning gaps in the prosecution’s case.

    The Court of Appeal also queried the prosecution’s failure to present material witnesses such as two family members who witnessed the appellant’s alleged confession.

    Read Also: Man jailed 14 years for attempted sexual assault of neighbour’s  daughter

    Justice Bada said that a trial-within-trial ought to have been conducted during trial to verify the voluntariness of the appellant’s confessional statements while in police custody.

    The appellate court held that the confessional statement of Dr Olaleye was made under duress after he had been detained for six days.

    The appellate court therefore quashed the conviction of Dr Olaleye and discharged and acquitted him of all charges brought against him at the lower court.

    The lead judgment read by Bada was adopted by the two other justices, Mohammad Sirajo and Folasade Ojo.

  • Headteacher who defiled two pupils jailed for life

    Headteacher who defiled two pupils jailed for life

    Justice Abiola Soladoye of an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court yesterday, sentenced a headteacher, Benjamin Ogba to life imprisonment for defiling two underaged girls, both seven years.

    Justice Soladoye held that the prosecution proved the ingredients of defilement beyond doubt.

    She held that the convict is a serial paedophile.

    “The defendant and his fellow defence witnesses were not truthful and credible in their testimonies.

    “Their testimonies were a pack of lies, and fell asunder like a pack of cards.

    “This serial paedophile, a headteacher, who is expected to teach his students morals, stooped so low and defiled the underage girls, what a shame!

    “This irresponsible and randy teacher who teaches his students nonsense, should be locked away,” she held.

    Read Also: 12 jailed for prostitution, disturbance in Lagos

    The Judge praised the two survivors for speaking out in court against their assailant.

    She said sexual abuse must be reported.

    Soladoye further urged parents not to relent in reporting sexual abuse cases to the appropriate authorities.

    “Continuous education and awareness of this issue of sexual menace must be at the  forefront of all stakeholders in the administration of justice so as to advocate for the rights of young children.

    “The defendant, having been found guilty of the two counts bordering on defilement, is hereby  sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the counts.

    “The sentencing, will however, run  concurrently and his name be registered in the sex offences register as maintained by Lagos State,” the judge ordered.

    During the trial, the state ounsels, led  by Olusola Soneye, called three witnesses while the defence counsel called four.

    The prosecution submitted that the convict, between April and May 10, 2019, at Shalom  Private School, Ebutte Metta in Lagos, the defendant had sexual intercourse with girls.

    The prosecutor told the court that one of the girls, however, informed her mother and the case was reported at the station.

  • UK-based Nigerian nurse jailed for death of 10-week-old son

    UK-based Nigerian nurse jailed for death of 10-week-old son

    Ruth Auta, a Nigerian working as a nurse in the United Kingdom (UK), has been sentenced to three years in prison over the death of her 10-week-old son, Joshua Akerele.

    The 28-year-old single mother reportedly left Joshua alone in her nurse’s accommodation for eight hours on December 20, 2022 to complete her shift.

    On returning, she discovered her son lifeless in his cot and immediately called 999, reporting that he was not breathing.

    The infant died an hour after the ambulance arrived despite resuscitation efforts. Tests revealed that he might have overheated due to excessive layers of clothing and bedding.

    The single mother initially told the police that she had collected Joshua from a childminder after she finished work. She took him back home, fed him, placed him on her bed and then fell asleep next to him.

    She claimed that when she woke up, she found him unresponsive.

    However, Auta was later charged after police found CCTV of her leaving and entering her accommodation without Joshua on the day of the incident

    Also, officers discovered incriminating texts. She had urged her childminder to say she was looking after Joshua that day.

    Read Also: Nigerian brothers sentenced to 17 years in US for sextortion linked to teen’s suicide

    But the childminder told officers she had not seen the infant for a number of days.

    Auta was charged with cruelty to a child and pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates’ court on May 24, 2024. Her case was adjourned by a month for sentence.

    On June 6, while attempting to board a flight to Nigeria, she was apprehended at Gatwick Airport with a one-way ticket.

    Sara Davie, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Whilst she went to work to provide care for other people, Ruth Auta left the very person who needed her care the most home alone.”

    Although no conclusive cause of death could be given for Joshua, the court heard he may have overheated due to the layers of clothing and bedding he was wrapped in.

    Davie said that, as a nurse, Auta should have known the dangers of leaving her baby unattended and “must now live with the consequences of the terrible decision she made that day”.

    “Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those who have been affected by Joshua’s death,” Davie added.

  • Imo pastor jailed eight years over sexual exploitation

    Imo pastor jailed eight years over sexual exploitation

    A pastor in Imo State, Desmond Eke, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for exploiting a female church member.

    An Owerri High Court judge,  Justice T. N. Nzeukwu found Eke guilty of breaching trust and exploiting the woman’s vulnerability. The incident occurred when the woman sought Eke’s guidance as her cleric. Instead, he administered a substance to make her dizzy and weak, taking advantage of her trust.

    Read Also: Two drug dealers jailed six years

    The court convicted Eke of exploitation but discharged him on the count of causing harm. Despite the defence counsel’s plea for mercy, the court recognised the severity of Eke’s actions and sentenced him. This case marks the first prosecution under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act in Imo State.

    Civil society organisation Onurube reported the matter and welcomed the court’s decision, stating it would serve as a deterrent against exploitation.