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Nigerian extradited to US from Ghana over $6m cyber fraud

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A Nigerian man appeared in Nebraska court in the US during the week to face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Abiola Kayode, 37, was extradited to Nebraska from Ghana to face charges. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson ordered Kayode to remain in jail until his next court appearance, according to documents.

Kayode was on the ‘FBIs Most Wanted Cyber Criminal List at the time of his arrest in April 223. He then surrendered and was brought to Bebraska.

Authorities said that he provided bank information from victims who were directed via fraudulent emails to wire money to accounts he and others controlled. Most of the victims were preyed upon using internet romance scams.

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An indictment was filed in August 2019 in Omaha, according to the documents.

Authorities allege that he was part of a scheme from January 2015 to September 2016 which defrauded Nebraska businesses of more than $6 million.

“Four years ago, we identified six Nigerian nationals suspected of defrauding individual victims and businesses in Nebraska and other states of millions of dollars,” FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said in a news release.

“Today, Abiola Kayode is the second of those co-conspirators to be extradited to stand trial in Nebraska.”

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The indictment shows that suspects posed as the CEO, president, owner, and other executives of the company. Those receiving emails from the group were tricked into completing wire transfers.

“Using e-mail accounts spoofed to make it appear as though they were from the company’s true business executive, Kayode’s co-conspirators directed business employees or recipients of the e-mail to complete wire transfers,” the release states.

Authorities believe that Kayode provided bank account information that largely belonged to victims of internet romance scams, according to documents.

Three others involved in the scam have already been convicted and sentenced, the release states.

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Alex Ogunshakin was also extradited from Nigeria. He provided bank accounts for the scheme, and was sentenced to 45 months in prison in October 2024.

Onome Ijomone was extradited from Poland. He acted as a romance scammer, and was sentenced in January 2020 to 60 months in prison and ordered to pay $508,934.40 in restitution.

Pelumi Fawehinimi, who facilitated the bank accounts, was sentenced in March 2019 to 72 months in prison and ordered to pay $1,014,159.60 in restitution.

Adewale Aniyeloye, who sent spoofed e-mails to the target business, was sentenced in February 2019 to 96 months in prison and ordered to pay $1,570,938.05 in restitution.

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“Other co-conspirators remain at large,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in the update.

The case has been investigated by the FBI as well as the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, the Ghana Police Service, Interpol, and the Ghana Immigration Service. The DOJ Office of International Affairs assisted in the extradition.

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Tension in Ondo community as herdsman dies in clash with vigilance group

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There is tension among residents of Ikakumo community in Akoko Northeast local government area of Ondo state over the killing of a herdsman during a clash with vigilance group in the locality.

Two other persons including Commander of the vigilance were injured in the clash.

Some residents in the community said they were afraid of reprisal attacks from the herdsmen.

It was gathered that the clash occurred when a member of vigilance group challenged a herdsman who last month kidnapped one Balogun at Ikakumo community in Edo state.

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A fracas ensued between the herdsmen and the vigilance group with one of the herders was stabbed to death.

The two injured persons were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.

Ondo Police spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, confirmed the incident and said investigation has commenced.

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Armed herdsmen kill Benue traditional ruler

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The District Head of Odugbeho in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, Chief Anthony Adejoh has been murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.

Reports have it that the royal father and one Jerry John were gruesomely murdered Wednesday afternoon by the marauders at Otobi-Akpa in Otukpo LGA.

The duo were said to be working in their farms in Otobi when the marauders stormed the area and opened fire on them.

They were later discovered dead when the people who heard the sound of gunshots dashed to the scene and found them dead.

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Confirming the development, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Marvis Ejeh, said Chief Adejo was gruesomely killed on his farm at Akpa-Otobi by armed herders who invaded the area at about 10 am.

He described late royal father as a peace builder, an astute community builder and a community leader who would be greatly missed by all.

The Chairman said, “I can confirm to you that the district head of Odugbeho, Chief Tony Adej,o has been killed. He was killed by some armed herdsmen while working on his farm at Otobi in Otukpo LGA of the State.

“Despite hearing this ugly news, Odugbeho community is calm, our people are calm because we will not take law into our hands.

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“Nobody is taking the law into their hands, there is no need for a reprisal attack because the incident did not happen at home. Agatu is calm and peaceful.”

The Agatu Chairman, who enjoined the people to be security conscious wherever they find themselves said “Agatu people residing and farming in other LGAs should be careful and watchful.

“They should liaise with the local authority and know the areas that are safe to work for now, since the government is trying to curb the issue of insecurity in the entire Benue South District or Zone c.”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Chatherine Anene said she had yet received reports of the incident.

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Lagos govt to prosecute 74 for environmental violations

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The Lagos State Government has announced plans to prosecute 74 individuals apprehended for violating environmental regulations within the state.

According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the suspects were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation by the state’s Taskforce in the early hours of Tuesday around 1 a.m., targeting key locations across the Lekki axis of Lagos Island.

The enforcement sweep covered areas including the Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel Roundabout, Oniru Beach, Lekki Phases 1 and 2, and the 1004 Estate. A total of 72 men and two women were taken into custody.

Wahab explained that the operation aimed to restore order and sanitation in the affected areas.

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He added that the suspects will face prosecution in accordance with state laws and urged residents to remain law-abiding and committed to maintaining a clean, orderly environment for all.

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