No fewer than 36 suspected internet fraudsters have been arrested at different locations in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, disclosed the arrest of the suspects on Thursday.

The suspects were arrested on October 11, 2024, following actionable intelligence linking them with suspected online criminal activities.

It was gathered that the suspects impersonated foreign nationals using social media platforms to defraud unsuspecting victims.

Items recovered from them include eight luxury vehicles and sophisticated brands of mobile phones and laptops.

The EFCC said the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

A member of the Yoruba Nation agitators, Adejumo Lateef, has died while in custody, officials of the Nigeria Correctional Services revealed on Wednesday, October 16. 

Lateef, the 18th defendant in an ongoing trial, was part of a group facing charges in connection with the April 13, 2024 invasion of the Oyo State government Secretariat. 

The suspects, under the aegis of Yoruba Nation Agitators, are accused of attempting to declare the sovereign Republic of Yoruba Nation (Oodua Republic) during the incident. The case, filed under suit number I/51c/2024, is being heard at the Fiat Court 3 of the Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, presided over by Justice K. B. Olawoyin. 

The 27 defendants, including the late Adejumo Lateef, face charges of conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful assembly, treasonable felony, and treason. Among those standing trial are Adeyemo Peter, Adeyemo Joseph, Amos Oluwaseyi Ogundeji, and Ayanwale Rofiat, along with others such as Fatoki Anthony, Murittala Abefe, and Ismaila Adepoju. 

The charges stem from the events of April 13, 2024, and are punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. 

At Wednesday’s court session, the case could not proceed as planned due to the majority of the defendants lacking legal representation. Adebola Ogungbe represented the 3rd, 4th, 9th, and 12th defendants, while Toluwase Ogundeji stood in for the 15th defendant. Two additional lawyers, Yomi Ogunlola and S.A. Sanmi, volunteered to represent other unrepresented defendants. 

However, the 6th, 23rd, and 24th defendants informed the court that they would contact their families to arrange legal representation. As a result, Justice Olawoyin adjourned the case to November 6, 8, and 13 for arraignment and further hearings. 

The case is being prosecuted by a team from the Oyo State Government led by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr. S. O. Adeoye, along with Deputy DPP O. R. Yussuf, and other senior state counsels including S. A. Osuolale, Yisa Busari, and O. A. Bolarinwa. 

The death of Adejumo Lateef in custody adds another layer of complexity to the already sensitive case involving the Yoruba Nation movement.

A notorious Nigerian human trafficker has been arrested by the Buduburam District Police in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region, Ghana after a decade on the police wanted list.

The accused nick-named Pu**y Mama, has allegedly trafficked over 3,000 victims across Africa. 

According to a police report, the suspect, who identified as inters3x with both male and female genitalia, is allegedly involved in trafficking women and girls from Nigeria, Liberia, and Togo into Ghana for prostitution. 

It was gathered that the women were forced into prostitution at popular venues, including hostels and nightclubs in Kasoa, Buduburam and nearby areas.

He was said to have lured the women with promises of lucrative jobs but later coerced them into prost!tution. 

He had evaded arrest by Nigerian and Ghanaian police for 10 years due to alleged mystical powers.

According to police sources, the alleged human trafficker always disappeared before authorities could get to him.

However, luck eluded him during one of his operations.

While trafficking another set of young girls from Nigeria to Ghana for prostitution, he was arrested by a young female police officer.

He was subsequently arraigned before the Kasoa Ofaakor Circuit on Wednesday, October 9, 2024

The court, presided over by His Lordship Isaac Oheneba Kuffour, remanded the accused in police custody.

He is expected to reappear before the court on October 18, 2024.

Meanwhile, the Central Regional Chairman for the Nigerian Community, Sir Emmanuel Azubuike, who doubles as the Africa Coordinator for the International Human Rights Observatory, commended the police for their bravery.

Citing the numerous times the accused escaped from police custody over the years, he charged the Ghana Police Service and the Chief Justice to be vigilant so he doesn’t escape again. 

A yet-to-be identified man has slumped and d!ed after a marathon s@x with a woman at a guest house in Paiko, the headquarters of Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The guest house reportedly belongs to Paikoro LGA and is located within the Paiko popular market, where traders, who usually come from far places to lodge. 

One of the traders, who preferred anonymity, said the incident happened in the night on Tuesday, October 15, after the deceased was done having s3x with the woman.

“The man was done having affairs with the lady and was putting on his trousers, as the lady narrated to us, when he suddenly slumped and d!ed,” the trader told Daily Trust. 

"The lady has been arrested by the police while the corpse of the man was taken to IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna. We cannot trace his family because he had no phone or any means of identification on his body. This is the first time we are experiencing this in this market.”

The spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident

Below is a photo of the man so that his family members can identify him.

“An incident of a suspected sudden d@ath was reported at Paiko Div, that on 15/10/24 at about 2050hrs, a yet to be identified male adult visited the LGA lodge with a lady, and thereafter, he slumped and he was rushed to a nearby medical facility in Paiko where he was confirmed d3ad,” the PPRO stated. 

“The incident is being investigated as a medical autopsy is being awaited. Effort is also ongoing to locate his relatives for necessary arrangements.” 

Below is a photo of the yet-to-be identified man. Family members and friends should contact the police.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has revealed the country’s fundamental determinant of foreign exchange rates.

Contrary to a general belief that the apex bank determines FX rates, Cardoso said that economic fundamentals drive the foreign exchange rate.

The CBN governor revealed this during his address at the launch of the Nigeria Development Update in Abuja on Thursday, October 17.

Cardoso stressed that he would adhere to traditional central banking principles.

“The CBN does not determine the exchange rate; it is determined by the fundamentals. The CBN will ensure that we adhere to that,” Cardoso noted.

The CBN Governor expressed confidence that strengthening collaboration with fiscal authorities would lead to more stability in the exchange rate.

He also highlighted efforts to increase foreign exchange inflows into the Nigerian economy, noting: “When we started, FX inflows were about $200 million, but through sheer determination, we now record $600 million.”

He further remarked on the positive shift in investor confidence, stating, “Before, many potential investors were on the sidelines. Now, it’s amazing to see how many have stepped forward to invest in Nigeria.”

In July, Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange (FX) reserves climbed to a peak of $34.7 billion based on figures from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s website.

Naija News reports that this marks a rise of $110 million from the day before, which stood at $34.5 billion.

The reserves have been on the rise from previous days, accumulating an increase of $316 million since July 1.

This surge can be attributed to various reasons, such as the recent uptick in oil prices, better remittances from the diaspora, and the Central Bank’s initiatives to stabilize the local currency.

Analysts see this rise in international currency holdings as beneficial for Nigeria’s economy, as it offers protection against external disturbances and bolsters the nation’s capacity to fulfil its financial commitments.

A recent assessment by Fitch Ratings has given a favourable outlook to Nigeria’s economic situation, highlighting major reforms that have brought back macroeconomic stability and improved the consistency and reliability of its policies.

The Federal government has taken delivery of the first batch of 846,000 doses of the R21 malaria vaccines, from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. 

The official launch of the vaccines on Thursday was attended by officials of the Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and development partners. 

peaking to newsmen while taking delivery of the vaccines, the Minister of Health, Ali Pate, described the arrival of the vaccines as a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to eliminate malaria in the country.

He said the vaccines would first be distributed to states with the highest burden of the disease, particularly Kebbi and Bayelsa and would serve as a complement to other treatments for malaria.

Pate also cleared the air on concerns about the efficacy of the vaccine, stating that it has proven to be safe and efficient for malaria treatment.

Also, the Director General of the NPHCDA, Muyi Aina, explained the plans for distribution, adding that an enforcement team would be set up by the agency and the date and location for the administration of the vaccines would be communicated in due course. 

Aina said about 140,000 doses are expected in the coming months as the target is to make available one million vaccines for the first batch.

The R21 malaria vaccine, which would be administered in two doses per vial, was produced by the Serum Institute of India.

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of six persons for offences bordering on internet fraud.

The convicts were sentenced by Justices Sulaiman Akanbi and Adebayo Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.

The convicts include Idris Muhammed, Temitope Mustapha, Oyekola Anthony, Sylvester Stephen, Timilehin Adeniyi and Olayiwola Abdulmalik.

Justice Akanbi sentenced Idris, Ismail, Oyekola and Anthony to different jail terms while the duo of Timilehin and Olayiwola were convicted by Justice Yusuf.

The charge against Idris reads: “That you, I DRIS Muhammed on or about the 13th day of July 2024 to 13th of August 2024 in Ilorin within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did cheat by personation, when you pretended to be one Dorthy Onanewlevel Palmer and fraudulently deceived one Lavergne Adriana Racheal to send $600 to you via cash app and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code.

The charge against Ismail reads: “That you, Ismail Temitope Mustapha (Alias: Myre Roddy) sometime between the year 2022 and 2023 within the Judicial division of the High Court, did cheat by personation, when you pretended to be one Myre Roddy vide Tik Tok account @roddy0s3 and induced one Ron Woldron to part with the gross sum of $500 vide apple gift cards; and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code.

The defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges.

Upon their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Andrew Akoja and Victoria Igodo tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, items recovered from them at the point of arrest and monies that they benefited from the illegal activities, which the court admitted in evidence.

Consequently, Justice Akanbi sentenced Idris to two years imprisonment with an option of N100,000 and ordered the forfeiture of his iPhone 13, and the sum of $300 which he raised as restitution to the federal government.

Similarly, the court sentenced Ismail to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of N100,000 while ordering the forfeiture of his iPhone 11 Promax and $300USD to the federal government.

Oyekola also bagged one year imprisonment on count one with an option of N100,000, two years imprisonment on count two with an option of N200,000 and two weeks community service on count three and a fine of N50,000.

The sum of $300 and N34,900 recovered from him have been ordered to be forfeited to the federal government.

In the same vein, the court sentenced Anthony to one year imprisonment with an option of N50,000 and ordered that the iPhone 12 and the sum of $25 which he benefited from the unlawful activities be forfeited to the federal government.

In a similar fashion, Justice Yusuf sentenced the duo of Timilehin and Olayiwola to six months imprisonment with an option of N200,000 each.

The convicts’ phones and the monies they brought as restitution were forfeited to the federal government.

Controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, has reacted to the 12-hour ultimatum by human rights lawyer Femi Falana and his son, singer Falz.

DAILY POST reports that Femi Falana and Falz, in a cease-and-desist letter on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, gave a 12-hour ultimatum to Bobrisky to retract his defamatory claim against them in an audio leaked by popular social media critic, VeryDarkMan.

In response to the ultimatum, Bobrisky, on Wednesday night, in a series of posts on his Instagram story, denied defaming Falana and Falz and also rejected their demand for retraction and public apology.

“In reply to the two letters in circulation from the law firm of the Falanas’, I like to state for the record and pending the official reply from my counsel, state for the avoidance of doubt that I, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, aka Bobrisky, did not publish any defamatory statements concerning the learned SAN, Falana and his son Falz.

“And that it is in the public domain pursuant to my solicitor’s letter dated 27th of September 2024 that I have denied any knowledge of what VeryDarkMan published.

“I stand by my express denial and advise whoever has been defamed to hold the publisher of the defamatory content. My fundamental rights to privacy of communications should be respected and protected.” [sic].

This comes a few days after the Lagos State High Court ordered VeryDarkMan to delete defamatory videos and comments targeting Falana and Falz within 21 days.

The matter has generated widespread controversy since VDM leaked the audio recordings of Bobrisky’s prison conversations in September 2024.

DAILY POST recalls that VeryDarkMan, on September 24, 2024, leaked a voice call recording of Bobrisky narrating how Falz contacted him while in jail to help him see a presidential pardon through his father.

The allegations include an alleged N15 million bribe paid to officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to drop money laundering charges against Bobrisky.

Also, the allegations also include the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, receiving bribes to place Bobrisky in VIP custody instead of a standard prison cell.

Bobrisky was arrested for money laundering and Naira mutilation by the EFCC in April.

Following the dismissal of the money laundering charges against him by the Federal High Court in Lagos, Judge Abimbola Awogboro sentenced Bobrisky to six months imprisonment for Naira mutilation.

China has sentenced 15 persons to prison for their involvement in the collapse of a building that claimed dozens of lives and ignited public outcry over construction standards, state media reported on Thursday.

A commercial building in the central city of Changsha collapsed in April 2022, leaving more than 50 people dead and nine others wounded.

Authorities later said the structure was built illegally, triggering an outcry over corruption and laxity in the construction industry.

State broadcast station, CCTV said on Thursday that two courts in Changsha had issued sentences for 15 people implicated in the scandal.

They included 11 years in prison for a resident of the building, Wu Zhiyong, who was deemed to be partly responsible for the collapse.

Other jail sentences included 12 years in prison for the former deputy chief of a state-backed municipal water company found guilty of dereliction of duty and bribery.

A local structuring testing firm was fined one million yuan ($140,000) and several of its employees were jailed for providing documents that falsely declared the building to be safe.

The court ruled that Wu and others built the property despite having “no construction qualifications” and illegally rented it to catering and accommodation companies, CCTV reported.

“No effective rectification measures were taken” despite the discovery of major structural hazards, the broadcast station said.

It added that the incident “resulted in major casualties and serious economic losses”.

Building collapses are not uncommon in China due to weak safety standards and corruption among those tasked with enforcing them.

Six people were killed and 10 were injured when lightning strike caused a park pavilion to collapse in the eastern city of Changzhou in August.

Nigerian singer, Yinka Ayefele, and his wife, Temitope, have welcomed a baby girl.

The singer announced in a post via his Instagram page.

This comes months after they celebrated the birth of their triplets, consisting of two boys and a girl, in May 2024.

Ayefele has expressed appreciation to God, considering his current challenges after a spinal cord injury that left him reliant on a wheelchair.​

He shared a beautiful photo of the newborn baby alongside her name.

See photo below: