President Bola Tinubu has made some serious accusations against his primary opponent, Atiku Abubakar, alleging identity fraud and forgery.

President Bola Tinubu has made some serious accusations against his primary opponent, Atiku Abubakar, alleging identity fraud and forgery. These allegations were made by Mr Tinubu in response to Mr Abubakar’s appeal to have him disqualified at the Supreme Court.

In his counter affidavit filed at the apex court on October 12, Mr Tinubu accused Mr Abubakar of submitting fake credentials to Nigeria’s electoral commission, INEC. Specifically, Mr Abubakar is alleged to have used different names on his primary school certificate and his 1965 West African School Certificate and General Certificate of Examination (WASSCE).

According to Mr Tinubu’s affidavit, Mr Abubakar used the name “Atiku Kojoli” on his primary school certificate and “Siddiq Abubakar” on his WASSCE. These discrepancies have led Mr Tinubu to allege that Mr Abubakar committed identity fraud and forgery.

It remains to be seen how the Supreme Court will rule on Mr Abubakar’s appeal and Mr Tinubu’s counter affidavit. However, these accusations highlight the intense competition and rivalry that exists within Nigerian politics, particularly in the lead up to presidential elections.

Regardless of the outcome of this particular case, it is clear that politicians in Nigeria will continue to engage in all manner of tactics and strategies to gain an advantage over their opponents – even if it means making potentially damaging accusations of fraud and forgery.

Port Harcourt university student sentenced to two years in jail

Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, sentenced Chika Ijeoma Ekwadu, an undergraduate student of the Rivers State University, to two years’ imprisonment under false pretenses for impersonating another person and obtaining money. .

The offense contravenes Section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cyber ​​Crime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and is punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the Act.

The EFCC charged him with two counts of impersonation and obtaining money by false pretenses.

One of the charges states: “You, Chika Iguma Ekwodu, on June 5, 2023, at Rivtaf Golf Estate, Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Court, fraudulently represented yourself as Scarlett Bitcoin Trading Expert, committed An offense contrary to section 22(2))(b).) (2) The Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 is for the purpose of obtaining benefit for oneself and under section 22(2) ( b ) ) shall be liable and shall be punished in accordance with Article 22(2) (b) ) in the same manner as Article (4) of the Act.”

When the charges were read to him, he admitted both charges.

In view of his guilty plea, Prosecutor M. Abu Bakr, after presenting witnesses, asked the court to convict him and sentence him accordingly. However, defense lawyer N.F. Okmeni asked the court for justice, stressing that the defendant was a “first-time offender, has no criminal record and is currently undergoing examination”. Therefore, I ask the court to opt for a fine rather than a prison sentence to enable him to continue his studies.

Justice Ajukwu convicted the defendant on each count and sentenced him to one year’s imprisonment with an option to impose a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000.00) to be deposited into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The judge also ordered that the purple iPhone 14 Pro and proceeds of crime worth US$4,500 ($4,500) be forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Additionally, the defendant must file an affidavit of good character in court.

Ecuador’s journey into the correctional center began when he was arrested by operatives of the EFCC Port Harcourt Area Command for cybercrime. He was taken to court and found guilty.

Alleged $1.2M US visa fraud: Court files final written submissions Dec. 11

On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, Judge Mojisola Dada of the Special Crimes Court, Ikeja, Lagos, postponed the hearing in the $1.2 million fraud case involving American businessman Marco Antonio Ramirez to 2023 December 11th.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Ramirez and his companies, USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, over an alleged $1.2 million EB-5 visa fraud.

Prosecutors allege that the defendants received money from the victims as fees for investing in their company, USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, in the employment-based American Preferred Investor (EB-5) program, making them eligible. qualifications. Obtain a US green card.

However, the defendant allegedly reneged on his promise.

He was initially arraigned on 12 charges but pleaded “not guilty”. He was also arraigned by the EFCC on June 24, 2022, with the charges revised to 16 counts.

During the hearing on June 24, 2022, the prosecution counsel, MS Oyede, informed the court of the amended 16-count charge.

Count 13 of the Amended Complaint reads: “Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, within the jurisdiction of this court from February 5, 2013 to April 18, 2013 Within the scope of Honorable Court, Lagos, personal use property of Godson Onyemaechi Echegile with a total value of $545,000 was dishonestly conveyed to you.

Count 14 states: “Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, between July 12, 2012 and November 7, 2012, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Court, did not The following message is conveyed in good faith for personal purposes: Total Amount: The assets of Abu Bakr Omar Sadiq are valued at $314,800.

Count 15 states: “Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, between February 19, 2013 and April 18, 2013, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Court, did not The following assets were transferred in good faith for personal purposes: Total amount: Property of Abu Bakr Omar Sadiq, valued at $230,000.

Count 16 states: “Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC and Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP, between June 14, 2013 and September 26, 2013, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, committed dishonestly The total amount transferred to the United States. USD 149,000. For your personal use and shall be the property of Olukayode Sodim.”

When the amended charges were read to him, he again pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charges.

Ramirez’s trial began after he pleaded guilty to defrauding him of $1.2 million. The defendant entered a defense denying all charges of theft and obtaining money by false pretenses and the case was closed.

Judge Dada adjourned the hearing to December 11 and 12, 2023, for final written communication.