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Appeal Court Affirms 12-Year Jail Term for Businessman Over $1.4 Million Fraud

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The Court of Appeal in Lagos has upheld the conviction and 12-year prison sentence of Kolawole Adedayo Erinle, a businessman found guilty of defrauding a foreign company of $1.4 million.

The judgment, delivered on Thursday, 19 December 2024, by a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, affirmed the sentencing of Erinle, alongside his company, Rinde-Remdex Nigeria Limited, on charges of conspiracy, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, and obtaining money under false pretence.

Erinle had been initially arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja on 11 March 2022.

However, following Justice Taiwo’s retirement, the case was reassigned to Justice Oshodi.

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On 28 October 2022, Erinle was re-arraigned on the three-count charge, which included the false representation of himself and his accomplice, Edward Dada (still at large), as agents of J.E. Dunn, a construction company based in the United States.

They created a fraudulent domain name, jedunn.org, to deceive their victims into transferring $1,410,000.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had accused Erinle of perpetrating the crime in 2019 in Lagos, with the intent to exploit the fraudulent representation for monetary gain.

During the trial, Erinle admitted to being a convicted fraudster in the United States, where he served 23 months in prison for similar offences.

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Although he initially denied the charges, he later expressed remorse, stating, “I am sorry.”

Justice Oshodi, after considering the facts of the case, convicted Erinle on 26 September 2023, sentencing him to 12 years in prison for obtaining money under false pretence.

The sentence was ordered to run concurrently, beginning from 10 February 2023. Erinle’s company was also fined N50 million and ordered to be wound up, with all proceeds forfeited to the Federal Government.

Erinle sought to appeal the conviction, but the EFCC’s counsel, T.J. Banjo, argued that the appeal lacked merit and urged the appellate court to dismiss it.

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In the lead judgment, Justice Danlami Zama Senchi upheld the lower court’s ruling, stating that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Erinle’s appeal was dismissed, cementing the conviction and serving as a stern reminder of the consequences of financial fraud.

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Three feared dead in Niger boat accident

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Three persons, two confirmed to be from the same family, are feared drowned in a boat mishap in Niger State.

The incident occured in Lapai Local Government Area of the state.

Vanguard gathered that the boat was overloaded with over 200 bags of rice and capsized about 9p.m., on the fateful day as a result of heavy windstorm.

While some claimed that many people drowned during the incident, a source confirmed that only three persons travelled in the boat because the boat was already overloaded and that they all drowned.

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It was further gathered that the bags of rice were purchased in Lapai council and were being ferried to Lokoja, Kogi State for sale.

The source said: “The boat was overloaded with bags of rice from our area-Lapai thereby occupying all available spaces in the canoe. Two of those who went on the journey are of the same parents and believed to have most of the bags of rice being transported for sale.

“The bags of rice are more than 200 and the storm which started on their way must have also contributed to the sudden accident.”

Public Relations Officer, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, Hussaini Ibrahim, when contacted said the agency was yet to get details of the incident and promised to issue a statement later.
Corpses of those feared dead were yet to be recovered at press time.

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Police arrest herbalist over death, mutilation of 11-year-old in Adamawa

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The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a Herbalist identified as Murtala Musa, over the death and mutilation of an 11-year-old boy in Kodomun village, Demsa Local Government Area.

SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, Police Public Relations Officer in a statement said the incident was reported to the police in Demsa on the 13th of April, 2025, by the Village Head of Kodomun and one Fancy Alifas, the Mother of their Victim.

“She reported that her son, Yangapwa David, aged 11, was taken to the said herbalist for treatment but unfortunately died while in his custody.”

According to her, arrangements were made to convey the body home, during which time the corpse was left in the herbalist’s room.

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Shockingly, upon her return, she discovered that her son’s left eye had been removed.

“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives swiftly visited the scene and arrested the suspect.”

The Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, *CP Dankombo Morris assured members of the public that the Command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring justice is served.

The suspect remains in custody as the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, has been detailed to conduct a discreet investigation.

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Mob kills man over suspected dog theft in Bauchi

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The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the death of a man identified simply as Peter, who was killed by a mob in Bauchi metropolis over allegations of dog theft.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Thursday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Ahmed Wakili.

According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on April 9, 2025, and involved a mob assault on two individuals accused of stealing a dog.

Wakili said the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into what he described as an “egregious act of jungle justice.”

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The second victim, identified as Dokagk Danladi, aged 38, was also attacked by a group of youths in a secluded area behind Lushi. He sustained severe machete wounds to the head and was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.

Peter, whose surname is yet to be identified, was found at the scene and was confirmed dead by medical personnel.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area has led a team of detectives to the crime scene to gather evidence and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

CP Aliyu condemned the act, describing it as barbaric and a threat to the nation’s legal framework. He warned residents against taking the law into their own hands.

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“No individual has the authority to brutalize a suspect. Anyone apprehended for any alleged crime should be handed over to law enforcement agencies for investigation and prosecution,” the Commissioner stated.

He appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with the police by providing relevant information that could aid the investigation.

“The Command is resolute in its pursuit of justice and is committed to ensuring that all those involved in this heinous act are brought to book,” Aliyu added.

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