News
Pastor arraigned over N125m spiritual cleansing scam
Operatives of Force Criminal Investigation Department ForceCID Annex Alagbon-Ikoyi Lagos, have arraigned a fake Pastor, Chibuzor Obi, before a Federal High Court, Lagos, on charges of alleged conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and N125 million scam.
The ‘Pastor’ was arraigned before Justice Akintayo Aluko led-court on the five count-charge on Monday.
The prosecutor, Barrister Tijani Williams, told the court that the defendant and others now at large, committed the alleged offences between August and November 2024.
He told the court that the defendant, fraudulently obtained the money from their victim, one Michael Ogu, in two tranches of N6 million and N119 million.
Barrister Williams further told the court that the defendant and others at large, defrauded their victim of the money after he was hypnotized and told of having spiritual power cast and remove an ‘evil ring’ planted in him.
He also told the court that the defendant and others at large, told the fraud victim that he has spiritual power to clean ‘evil spirit’ on all his United America Dollars (USD).
He told the court that the defendant’s illegal actions, are contrary to and punishable under Sections 8 (a); 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006.
He also told the court that the act contravened section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Act CAP Law of the Federation 2004.
The defendant, Chibuzor Obi, denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the five counts charge.
Based on his plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date, as well, urged the court to remand him in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), till the determination of the charge.
But the defendant’s lawyer, Barrister Augustine Nwagu, while not opposed the prosecutor’s request for trial date, however told the court that he had filed his client’s bail application and same has been served on the prosecutor.
Upon taking arguments on the bail application and the counter filed by the prosecutor, Justice Aluko, after citing series of legal authorites, admitted bail to the defendant in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.
The surety according to the judge, could be a landed property owner within the court’s jurisdiction or a businessman who has a standing credit above the bail sum in his account.
The judge while adjourning the matter to May 8, for trial, ordered that the defendant be remanded in NCoS custody, pending when he is able to meet the bail terms.
Charges against the defendant reads: “That your Chibuzor Obi ‘m’ and others now at large between August 2024-November 2024 at Lagos within the Judicial Division of this Honourable court did conspire among yourself to commit felony to wit: obtaining money by false pretense and stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says there will be a seven-hour power outage in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said the affected areas will experience blackout on Saturday, February 22, and Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day.
She attributed the action to scheduled annual preventive maintenance on two transformers.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria informs the public that its maintenance crew will conduct annual preventive maintenance on the 2x100MVA, TR3 & TR4 transformers at the Apo 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Abuja,” the statement read.
“The planned power interruptions are unavoidable, as Abuja DisCo will be unable to receive bulk power supply from the transformers during the maintenance period. Power supply will be restored to the affected areas upon completion of the maintenance exercise.”
Transmission Line Tower – TCN
Mbah explained that on Saturday, February 22, the power disruptions will affect the National Hospital, G2 Injection Station, Garki, Area 1, and Asokoro for seven hours.
According to the statement, areas including Apo Legislative Quarters, Apo Resettlement, Gudu, Apo Mechanic, and surrounding areas will also experience a seven-hour power outage.
Mbah explained that the interruption is necessary as Abuja Electricity Distribution Company will be unable to receive bulk power supply from the affected transformers during the maintenance period.
TCN apologised for any inconvenience caused to the affected customers during this time.
“Power supply will be restored once the maintenance exercise is completed. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause the affected electricity customers,” the company said.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of over 100 senior officers to higher ranks within the force.
The decision includes the elevation of 38 Assistant Commissioners of Police to Deputy Commissioners, alongside 100 Chief Superintendents of Police.
The approval was confirmed in a statement by the PSC Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, following an extraordinary plenary session held on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
The meeting was chaired by the PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), and attended by key officials, including retired Supreme Court Justice Adamu Paul Galmuje, DIG Taiwo Lakanu, and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani.
Notable officers promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police include Emmanuel Deenom, Olufemi Takeet, and Yusuf Doki Sani, while others like Ibrahim Mohammed Agava and Akinloye Joseph Oyegade were promoted to Assistant Commissioners.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal University Lokoja has been shut down following students’ lingering protest.
The students began the protest on Monday following the killings of their colleagues by a trailer who rammed into the school shuttle bus, killing seven people instantly.
The closure of the school was disclosed in a circular with Ref. Number FUL/R/GEN/REGC/03 issued on Thursday by Dr. Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie, Registrar and Secretary to Council, and copied Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command Director, DSS Kogi State.
The circular reads “Following the unfortunate loss of the lives of five students to a tragic trailer accident at Felele city centre on Monday, 17 February, 2025, students have barricaded the gates of the university despite magnanimous interventions from the the State Government as well as frantic efforts and appeal by the University Management for calm.
“Accordingly, arising from the advice of the State Security Agencies and to forestall further loss of lives, the Vice-Chancellor after due consultation with Management, has decided on behalf of Senate, that the University (both campuses) be closed down Indefinitely within one hour of release of this circular.
“Students are therefore to vacate the campuses on/or before 12 noon today, Thursday, 20th February, 2025. Please note for strict compliance.”
TCN envisages seven-hour blackout in parts of Abuja
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