Crime
Customs seize $6m fake US dollars, arrest 4 along Seme border
Customs seize $6m fake US dollars, arrest 4 along Seme border
The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area command, has seized $6 million fake United States dollars amongst other prohibited items.
The Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, made this known to journalists during a briefing in Seme, on Thursday in Lagos.
He also said that four suspected members of cross border criminal syndicate were arrested.
Nnadi said that the command had recorded milestones in the last 13 days in its anti-smuggling operations.
“Some of the anti-smuggling landmarks by the command include the seizure of fake $6m equivalent of N2.763 billion and the arrest of two suspects conveying the fake currency from Nigeria to the Republic of Benin.
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“Two male suspects were arrested in connection with the crime and are currently in our custody pending prosecution.
“The arrest was made at Gbaji checkpoint along the Seme corridor on Jan.31, 2023.
“Also, on the same day, at a about 05:30 a.m., our men on patrol along Gbethrome base intercepted six Maltese International Passports with the same picture of a lady but bearing different names,” he said.
He added that Senegalese, Togolese, Republic of Benin and Niger International Passports were also recovered alongside 1O international driving licence of various countries from two male suspects currently in custody for further investigation.
Nnadi said that the command also seized 1,300 by 30 litres Jerry can of petroleum equivalent to 39,000 litres with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N9,366,350.
According to the controller, the products were seized along the creeks.
“Other items seized include 55 sacks containing 550 pieces of donkey skin with DPV of N11,371,511 only.
“The significant of the seizure is that it shows how much our endanger speices are being eroded by unpatriotic elements.
“These achievements so far, were not made on a platter of gold, it took the painstaking efforts of the officers who spend hours on patrol and surveillance to record the seizures,” he said.
He, however, said that the major source of revenue of the command which is import and export had not been enhanced since the opening of the land borders as directed by the Federal Government.
Nnadi said that some traders were still bracing with the challenges of having been out of business for over two years.
He said the command would continue to engage and sensitise the public on socio-economic implication of smuggling as well as performing statutory function of enforcing compliance in line with government fiscal policies.
The controller commended the collaborative efforts of other sister agencies in the fight against smuggling and appealed for sustained support.
Customs seize $6m fake US dollars, arrest 4 along Seme border
……Crossdresser Accuses Social Media Personality of AI-Generated False Claims Involving High-Profile Figures
Nigerian crossdresser and social media influencer Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has filed a ₦1 billion lawsuit against Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, over defamation allegations involving an AI-generated audio recording.
The lawsuit, announced on Bobrisky’s Instagram account on Sunday, alleges that VeryDarkMan released an audio clip that falsely linked Bobrisky to illicit relationships with high-profile figures, including politicians and law enforcement officials.
Bobrisky’s legal team claims that VeryDarkMan used the crossdresser’s name and social media influence to make unverified claims for personal gain. The legal statement reads: “Our client has informed us that in your quest for social media stardom, you have continued to exploit his name, personality, and social media influence to create media buzz for your personal gains.”
The lawsuit demands ₦1 billion in damages and serves as a warning against the use of false AI-generated content to spread misinformation about public figures.
Court
Court Sets Oct. 25 for Ali Bello, Co-Defendants to Cross-Examine EFCC Witness in N3 Billion Money Laundering Trial
A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Ali Bello and his co-defendants until Oct. 25 for the cross-examination of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) third prosecution witness, Jamilu Abdullahi.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu made this decision after overruling an objection by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who opposed the defense’s request for an adjournment. The defense lawyers, Aliyu Abubakar, SAN, representing Ali Bello, and Nuireni Jimoh, SAN, representing the other defendants, sought the adjournment to allow time to study the witness’s proof of evidence.
The EFCC had called Abdullahi, a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, as a witness in the ongoing N3 billion money laundering case against Bello and three others, in a charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/573/2022. Bello is facing charges alongside Yakubu Adabenege, Abba Adaudu, and Iyadi Sadat, who are named as the second to fourth defendants.
During the resumed hearing, Abdullahi continued his testimony led by Oyedepo, detailing cash inflows into his company’s and personal Access Bank accounts. Following his testimony, Abubakar sought an adjournment, citing the need to review the extensive evidence provided.
Oyedepo opposed this request, arguing that the evidence had been served on the defense since Feb. 6, 2023. However, Justice Egwuatu granted the defense’s request to allow adequate preparation for cross-examination, adjourning the matter to Oct. 25, Nov. 5, and Nov. 6 for further proceedings.
The trial continues with Abdullahi expected to face cross-examination regarding his role as the owner of E-Traders International Limited, a BDC company.
Three Men Arraigned in Lagos for Alleged Kidnapping, Theft
Three men, Azeez Sadiq, 35, Taiwo Olayinka, 30, and Monsuru Saheed, 21, were brought before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Tuesday, facing charges of kidnapping and theft. The suspects, whose residential addresses were not disclosed, were charged with conspiracy, kidnapping, and stealing.
According to the prosecutor, ASP Christian Okonofua, the incident occurred on August 20 at around 12 p.m. near a Mobile petrol station behind F One Bar in Ikorodu, Lagos. The defendants, along with accomplices still at large, allegedly kidnapped two individuals from Ogun State and stole N13,000 from one of the victims.
Local residents apprehended the defendants and reported the matter to the police, leading to their arrest. The charges brought against them contravene Sections 411, 172, and 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
During the court hearing, the defendants pleaded not guilty. Magistrate O.A. Ogbe granted each defendant bail of N1 million, requiring two sureties in the same amount. One of the sureties must own landed property and provide proof of three years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
The magistrate also ordered that the second charge be duplicated and forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for further advice. The case was adjourned until October 3 for mention.
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