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EFCC Arraigns Lagos Resident For N200million Fraud After Claiming He Could Cure HIV

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented its first prosecution witness, Odofin Adekunle Christopher, an investigator with the EFCC, against one Abayomi Kamaldeen Alaka, an alleged serial fraudster, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

The accused, Alaka was arraigned on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 by the EFCC on a three-count charge bordering on stealing, retention and dealing in sale of property subject to interim forfeiture.

This was noted as an offence contrary to Section 32(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.

According to the charge, sometime in July, 2021 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, and without due authorisation, the accused did sell and disposed off a newly renovated story building situated at No. 22, PSSDS Road, Magodo Phase 2, Magodo Lagos.

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The building in question was noted was still a subject of forfeiture vide a valid court order.

Another of the counts read that : “Abayomi Kamaldeen Alaka, sometime in July, 2021, at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court at Lagos, did obtain and retain the total sum of N200,000,000.00 (Two Hundred Million Naira) only from the fraudulent sales of a newly renovated stores building situated at No. 22, PSSDS Road, Magodo Phase 2, Magodo Lagos, which you knew to be subject of forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence”.

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, N. K. Ukoha, had asked the court for a trial date and that the accused be remanded at a correctional facility.

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Counsel to defendant, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, earlier informed the court of the bail application of his client.

Consequently, Justice Dada had adjourned the matter till June 26, 2024 for the commencement of trial.

It was also alleged that In the course of investigating the case, the proceeds of fraud were reasonably traced to five (5) properties of the defendant.

They are: a newly renovated storey building with boys’ quarters situated at No. 22, PSSDC Road, Magodo Phase 2, Magodo Estate, Lagos; an uncompleted block of flats located at No.2, Adeneye Street, Oke-Oriya, Ikorodu, Lagos; an uncompleted Event Centre named Alaka Event Centre located at No.2, Adeneye Street, Oke-Oriya, Ikorodu, Lagos; a newly renovated filling station named Alaka Oil and Gas located at No.2, Adeneye Street, Oke-Oriya, Ikorodu, Lagos, and a vast land located at Ashipa Town, Shiun, Abeokuta, Ogun State, which is used as a shrine to deceive the complainant to part with her hard-earned resources”.

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Investigations revealed that the defendant and two others defrauded one Julieth Bright of over N200million on the pretext that they could cure her of HIV disease.

He said the Commission, thereafter, approached the FHC Abuja, seeking temporary forfeiture of the properties.

He said: “Based on the Commission’s application, Justice A. I. Chikere of the FHC Abuja, on June 28, 2021, ordered the interim forfeiture of the five properties, pending the conclusion of the investigation.

“While the investigation was still going on, the Commission received intelligence that the property at No. 22 PSSD, Magodo, Lagos State had been sold by the defendant, despite the court order and ongoing investigation.

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“In view of this, the Commission invited the defendant on January 10, 2022, and cautioned him in the presence of his lawyer, Ali Apanisile.

“The cautionary word was interpreted to him and he made a statement through his lawyer.

“In that statement, he never denied owing this property; he never denied selling the property and he never denied the existing court order on the same property.”

The witness further told the court that during the investigation, one Olajide Kabiru Alayo was invited on March 18, 2024, to the Commission in Lagos, where he made statements in respect of the defendant regarding the sales of the property.

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The witness further told the court that “Olajide Kabiru Alayo is Managing Director of OOP Properties Finance. He bought the same property for his agent, Eniola Olowoshile. While Alayo was in the Commission, he submitted a letter of offer dated July 19, 2021, to the Commission from the defendant.

“He also brought the Deed of Assignment between the defendant and his client duly signed by the defendant.

“In addition, he brought twelve (12) photocopies of bank drafts: ten (10) UBA Bank drafts of N10million on each of them dated July 21, 2021; one (1) Zenith Bank draft of N10 million dated July 21, 2021 and one (1) Access Bank draft dated July 22, 2021. The person who received these bank drafts from Olajide Kabiru was Giwa Rasheed Babajide”.

It was noted that the Commission, therefore, sent letters to UBA to furnish it with the account details of OOP Properties Finance.

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“The investigation revealed that Olajide Kabiru Alayo is the sole signatory to this account.

“On July 22, 2021, a total of seventeen (17) banker cheques were raised from that account totalling N170 million in favour of Alaka Oil and Gas owned by the defendant.

The prosecution counsel showed some documents, including a Court order dated June 28, 2021, statements made by the defendant, Alayo’s statement, the Deed of Assignment, photocopy of bank drafts and the offer letter, to the witness for identification.

Justice Dada admitted all the documents in evidence as Exhibits P1 to P4.

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The judge adjourned the matter till September 25, and October 3, 2024 for the continuation of trial.

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Video: Watch moment Senator Manu tasks NAFDAC officials on poor budget presentation

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The Senator representing Taraba Central, Manu Haruna white washed officials of NAFDAC for poor budget presentation during 2025 budget defense on Friday.

In a video, Senator Manu a former Deputy Governor of Taraba State opened the underbelly of NAFDAC on improper presentation of figures in the outlines.

He pointedly told the officials that the presentation was designed to mislead senators.

Watch video below:

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Why I returned N100m excess fund to Kano Govt Commissioner

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The Kano State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Tajo Othman, who was recently in the news for returning N100 million excess fund to the state government, has revealed the reason behind his action.

The commissioner while addressing newsmen in Kano on Friday said his action was influenced by the state governor’s “exemplary leadership style,” adding that in an ideal situation, leaders are always a pace setter for others to follow.

He said he did not expect Governor Kabir Abba Yusuf to reveal the act to the public, but the governor chose to do so during the flag-off of the free uniform distribution to encourage the future generation to be transparent.

He said, “In an ideal governance setting, the leader is a pace setter for others to follow. We have seen the governor’s body language and as such we fall in. That is what exactly happened. it is the wish of the governor that everybody should be as transparent as possible.

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“He is a transparent governor and therefore we should be transparent as well. I never expected the governor to go public with it, but I believe the reason behind his announcement is indeed genuine.”

The commissioner added that as the head of the committee for school uniform distribution, the state governor entrusted him with the task and advised the committee to execute it to the best of their ability.

The commissioner who was a retired customs officer was in the news when the Governor Yusuf publicly commended him for returning N100 million in unspent funds from a N2 billion budget earmarked for the production of 798,000 uniforms for pupils of primary 1 in the state.

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Nigerian Online Population Shows Strong Enthusiasm for AI – Report

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A new global survey report from Ipsos and Google has shown widespread use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools among Nigerian online population.

The study, tagged: “Our Life with AI: From Innovation to Application,” surveyed 21,000 people across 21 countries, and observed that global AI usage has jumped to 48 per cent and excitement about its potential now exceeds concerns (57 per cent vs. 43 per cent, up from 50 per cent / 50 per cent last year).

According to the report, in Nigeria, AI adoption and enthusiasm are even higher, as 70 per cent of the Nigerian online population used generative AI, surpassing the 48 per cent global average. Moreover, 87 per cent are excited about AI’s potential and see its benefits outweighing the risks.

Analysing the report, President of Global Affairs, Google & Alphabet, Kent Walker, said: “AI is starting to deliver magic at scale, making people’s lives easier and better. The survey results show the more people use these tools, the more excited they get about the possibilities and about the personal, professional, and scientific breakthroughs on the way.”

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The survey results indicate that optimism about AI is growing within the surveyed online community in Nigeria. Key findings from the survey, show that among survey participants in Nigeria, 70 per cent reported using generative AI in the past year, which is significantly higher than the global average of 48 per cent. A substantial 87 per cent of Nigerian respondents feel that AI’s potential benefits outweigh the associated risks, suggesting a strong belief in the positive impact of AI. A significant 81 per cent of surveyed Nigerian adults believe AI will positively change the economy.

Furthermore, 90 per cent of the survey respondents in Nigeria anticipate AI having a positive impact on science and medicine, demonstrating the widespread belief in the potential of AI to drive progress in these sectors.

According to the report, Nigeria’s online population demonstrates a higher level of excitement and adoption of AI when compared to other regions. The survey indicates: Nigeria is among the top countries in terms of AI usage and excitement about its potential.

This contrasts with more cautious sentiment in some European and North American countries.

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The report also said the Nigerian online community saw immense potential for AI in science and medical advancements:

“A significant 90 per cent of survey respondents expect AI to have a positive impact on science and medicine. This is one of the highest rates globally, highlighting the strong anticipation of breakthroughs in these fields through AI,” the report said, and onlinerd that the population in Nigeria recognised AI’s potential to enhance personal and professional development:

“Many believe AI can make people’s lives better by boosting productivity and providing access to resources. Within the Nigerian online population surveyed, there is a prevailing sentiment that supports the fostering of AI advancement rather than restrictive regulations. This suggests that those surveyed are keen to embrace innovation,” the report further said.

The survey results highlight the strong enthusiasm and optimism of the surveyed online population in Nigeria about the role of AI in various aspects of life, particularly in the economy, healthcare, and scientific advancement. The findings suggest that Nigeria’s online community is among the most enthusiastic globally about the transformative potential of AI.

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Google has been pursuing AI boldly and responsibly for years. In 2018, Google was one of the first companies to establish AI Principles grounded in beneficial use and avoidance of harm. Two years ago, it unveiled its opportunity agenda, which shard concrete recommendations for governments to ensure AI benefits the broadest range of people possible.

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