Policemen from the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, comprising Lagos and Ogun states, have arrested a suspected internet fraudster who allegedly offered a ₦174 million bribe to avoid prosecution.

The suspect, identified as Patrick Akpoguma, is alleged to have been involved in various types of internet-related fraud, including romance scams, identity theft, cyber hacking, cryptocurrency fraud, ritualism, and cultism. Despite the bribe attempt, operatives of the command rejected the offer.

According to the police, the suspect offered the sum of $100,000 USD (One Hundred Thousand Dollars), equivalent to about ₦174 million, to law enforcement officials.

The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Adegoke Fayoade, while briefing newsmen on Friday afternoon, revealed that investigations into Akpoguma began on November 7, 2024, following complaints from residents of Chevron Drive, Lekki, where the suspect resides.

AIG Fayoade stated, “Patrick Akpoguma admitted to being involved in what is known as romance scams and other cryptocurrency-related scams. He meets various people online and presents himself as a notable and famous Caucasian American, such as Colonel Matt Herbert, a serving U.S. Army officer currently on a peacekeeping mission in Iran. He also impersonates Adam Taggart, a renowned cryptocurrency and stock brokerage expert in the United States.”

The AIG further disclosed that Akpoguma used these fake identities to lure unsuspecting victims into fraudulent schemes. “He convinced his unsuspecting victims that he is a top executive working on several projects that require funding, which leads him to request loans,” Fayoade explained.

The police boss further disclosed, “Typically, he receives these loans via his Bitcoin Trust Wallet or through blockchain transactions. So far, he has defrauded over seven victims using this method.”

To execute these fraudulent activities, the suspect reportedly created a fake Instagram account under the name ‘Adam Taggart.’ The police boss explained, “This account allowed him to purchase a silicone face and hand mask from maskmakers.com, which was delivered to his residence on Chevron Drive, Lekki.”

The AIG added, “He paid $11,200 USD for the manufacturing of this mask, which he used to impersonate Adam Taggart on Facebook and Instagram.”

Revealing further details, AIG Fayoade said, “Surprisingly, during the investigation, the suspect began pleading and offering money to be let off the hook. Once I was informed about this, I instructed my detectives from the Raider team, led by CSP Ngozi Braide, to play along. On November 12, 2024, he offered the sum of $100,000 USD (One Hundred Thousand Dollars), equivalent to about One Hundred and Seventy-Four Million Naira. The money was accepted, registered as evidence, and the investigation continued. So far, the investigation has been concluded, and the suspect will be arraigned accordingly.”

Speaking with newsmen, the suspect admitted to turning to fraud three years ago, citing frustration over his inability to find meaningful employment. “I am a graduate of Mechanical Engineering, and I am 28 years old. After leaving school, it became clear that I needed to find my own path and try to get on my feet. I decided to try fraud while I looked for something legitimate,” he confessed.

The suspect also revealed details about his lifestyle and fraudulent activities. “I started doing fraud three years ago, and since then, I’ve made over $500,000 USD. I have achieved a lot. I own a house in Lagos, a house in Edo State, and a GLE Benz worth N100 million,” he stated.

He explained his approach to defrauding victims, adding, “Once I defraud people and feel I have taken enough from them, I simply walk away. I don’t leave them penniless.”

Regarding his encounter with the police, the suspect admitted that it was his first experience with law enforcement. “In my three years of fraud, I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad encounter with the police. This is the first time I’ve been in contact with the police. I was just trying to negotiate with them, and I thought they were actually responding to the negotiation.”

He commended the integrity of the officers involved in his case, saying, “I must confess, it’s a good step for the Nigerian police and the Nigerian people to regain their trust in the police for being transparent. It’s good to know that some credible officers are still out there, willing to see justice done.”

The suspect also used the opportunity to advise others who might be involved in similar activities: “My advice to people like me is: I would advise everyone to be more diligent, stay focused on the process, find something legitimate, and grow. Because I believe that what is legitimate has the space and platform to grow, whereas illegitimate income is not dependent on you, and it has no space for growth.

Popular British actor, Timothy West, who played the classic Shakespeare roles of King Lear and Macbeth and who in recent years along with his wife, Prunella Scales, enchanted millions of people with their boating exploits on Britain’s waterways, has died.

He was 90.

In a statement, his children said that West died “peacefully” in his sleep “with his friends and family at the end.”

“After a long and extraordinary life on and off the stage, our darling father Timothy West died peacefully in his sleep yesterday evening,” his children Juliet, Samuel, and Joseph said.

West was a regular presence on stage and screen, his versatility allowing him to play a broad range of characters.

He excelled as a leading actor in numerous Shakespeare productions, including playing Falstaff in a 1996 production of Shakespeare’s “Henry IV” opposite his son Samuel, who played Prince Hal.

Other notable performances include his portrayal of Claudius in a 1977 production of “Hamlet,” in which Derek Jacobi played the titular role.

An array of credits on stage and screen, including short stints in British television’s two most popular soap operas, “Coronation Street” and “Eastenders,” kept him in the public eye in later life.

“Timothy West was an icon of British drama, and at the BBC we feel incredibly privileged that he was on our screens across the decades,” said Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama.

West, who was born in the north England city of Bradford, made his London stage debut in 1959, before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1960s, where he earned his acting chops.

On television, he had roles in adaptations of Charles Dickens’ novels, including “Bleak House” and “Hard Times,” the latter of which was parodied in ITV’s “Brass” from 1982 to 1990, in which West played a ruthless self-made businessman.

He had the look, as well as the depth, to play Britain’s wartime leader Winston Churchill three times, first in 1979’s “From Churchill and the Generals,” then in “The Last Bastion” five years later, and finally in “Hiroshima” in 1995.

West, who was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1984 for his services to drama, was married for 61 years to actress Prunella Scales, who is most famous for her role as Sybil Fawlty in the classic 1970s BBC comedy “Fawlty Towers.”

The couple had two sons, actor Samuel and Joseph. West was also married to actor Jacqueline Boyer from 1956 to 1961, and they had a daughter, Juliet West.

Their long romance was showcased over 10 seasons of Channel 4’s “Great Canal Journeys,” when both were mainly in their 80s.

The program, which ostensibly was a love letter to narrowboats and of the British countryside, was widely praised for the way it honestly depicted Scales’ slow deterioration with dementia.

The Carers Trust, which provides help and support to those caring for their loved ones, praised West for being a “devoted carer” for his wife, who is 92.

The Canal & River Trust, which cares for the 2,000 miles of waterways in the U.K., praised West for inspiring countless people to get out there and enjoy the country’s water network.

“He was a dedicated supporter and a compelling advocate for boating who will be sadly missed,” the charity’s chief executive Richard Parry said.

Meanwhile, note that this story was corrected earlier to state that Timothy West did not perform the role of Hamlet, but rather of Claudius.

The die is cast as political heavyweights enter the ring to do battle in the Ondo State governorship election.

Residents of the state will file out in their numbers on Saturday, November 16th as they elect their leader for the next four years.

Ahead of the exercise, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it cleared 18 candidates for the poll.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is vying for his first election after he replaced the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu who died last year. His major opponent is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Agboola Ajayi who was also deputised Akeredolu.

INEC Assures Readiness

The INEC collation centre for the Edo State governorship election. Photo by Channels TV’s Sodiq Adelakun

While election logistics has been an issue in past elections in the oil-producing state, the INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu assured that the commission has made arrangements for a smooth poll.

“Over the last four days,” Yakubu said during the signing of a peace accord for the poll. “I have engaged with our own officials, security agencies, and transport service providers here in Ondo State to assess our readiness and perfect our arrangements for the movement of over 17,000 ad hoc and regular officials as well as large quantities of materials to 4,154 voting and collation locations (3,933 polling units, 203 Ward and 18 LGA collation centres).”

INEC said it will deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter accreditation at the polling units and upload of results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

Police Tighten Security

Security personnel have been deployed for the exercise.

Days after this, INEC began the distribution of materials for the election and also said it was working with security agencies to ensure a free and fair exercise.

“In preparation for the elections, the IGP has deployed DIG Sylvester Abiodun Alabi as the coordinating DIG for the Elections, tasked with overseeing the implementation of the Police security strategies to maintain law and order throughout the electoral period, while AIG Bennett Igweh, mni, and CP Tunji Disu are deployed as AIG and CP Elections respectively,” the Force spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said.

“As part of the security framework, there will be a restriction of all vehicular movements on roads, waterways, and other means of transportation from 6 am to 6 pm on Election Day, with the exception of those on essential services, such as ambulances, media officials, fire services, and other accredited media.”

Tinubu Sues For Peace

On the eve of the election, President Bola Tinubu called for peace and commended INEC for its readiness for the election.

“As Ondo State prepares for its off-cycle governorship election, President Bola Tinubu urges all political stakeholders and the electorate to uphold peace and decorum and fulfil their civic responsibilities without fear before or after the elections,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a Friday statement.

“President Tinubu anticipates a democratic process in the state that will genuinely reflect the people’s will and power to freely choose their leaders.”