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EFCC Arraigns Pastor Ize Iyamu’s Impostor For Defrauding APC Of N70 Million

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3 years ago

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APC

Details of how a man used a popular Nigerian pastor’s name to dupe the All Progressive Congress Party (APC) has emerged.

Crystal News reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Maiduguri Zonal Command on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 arraigned one Tope Jimi Fagun before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri on a-two count charge of impersonation and obtaining N70, 000,000.00 (Seventy Million Naira) by false pretense.

Fagun was said to have allegedly presented himself as Pastor Ize Iyamu to one Alhaji Bukar Dalori and fraudulently induced him to deliver the said sum under the pretext that the money was meant to aid the All Progressives Congress 2020 gubernatorial election campaign in Edo State.

Count one reads: “That you, Tope Jimi Fagun sometimes between July and August, 2020 in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and with intent to defraud induced the Borno State Chairman of All Progressive Congress Party (APC), one Alhaji Ali Bukar Dalori to cause the gross sum of Seventy Million Naira (N70,000,000.00) only (both in Naira and Dollar currencies) to be delivered to you in cash and via Bank transfers into Access Bank account number 0693630685 and First Bank account number 3053942408 under the false pretence that the said sum was to be utilized in promoting the APC campaign activities in the Edo State 2020 gubernatorial election which fact you knew to be false, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 1(1)(b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 respectively.”

How Man Used Popular Nigerian Pastor’s Name To Dupe APC N70 Million

The second count reads: “That you, Tope Jimi Fagun sometimes between July and August, 2020 in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court falsely personated Pastor Ize Iyamu, the then All Progressive Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Edo State 2020 gubernatorial election and in such assumed character induced the Borno State Chairman of All Progressive Congress Party (APC), one Alhaji Ali Bukar Dalori to cause the delivery unto you the gross sum of Seventy Million Naira (N70,000,000.00) only (both in Naira and Dollar currencies) with the view to enriching yourself fraudulently and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 179 of the Penal Code Law Cap 102 Laws of Borno State.”

The defendant pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charges were read to him.

Prosecution counsel, Alqasim Jafa’ar asked the court to remand the defendant in prison and fix a date for trial to commence.

Counsel for the defendant, Alli Apanisile however informed the court of a pending application for bail of his client which has been duly served on the prosecution. He prayed the court to be allowed to move the motion for bail.

Justice Kumaliya however declined the prayer of the defence.

She adjourned the matter till November 24, 2021 for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial. The Court ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Correctional Facility.

 

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Lawyer Petitions Police, DSS over Alleged Defamatory Publications, Threat to life

Published

1 week ago

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July 18, 2024

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A lawyer, Chief Yinka Oguntimehin of Yinka Oguntimehin & co, has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged defamation publication and threat to his life and that of his client, Otunba Wole Ogunbayo.
In the multiple petitions, addressed to the Area Commader, Nigeria Police Force, Sagamu Area Command and the Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Ogun state command, and titled: Petition on Azeez Oladimeji Ashiru’s Criminal activities calculated at causing a breach of public peace, civil unrest and threat to the life of and properties of Otunba Wole Ogunbayo of Amba Properties Limited, Oguntimehin alleged that “Azeez Oladimeji Ashiru resorted to criminal acts, defamatory publication, cyber bullying and threats against our Chief Yinka Oguntimehin through numerous publications made by him on his mobile telephone number,”
The petition further stated: “We are Solicitors to Otunba Wole Ogunbayo and Amba Properties Limited hereinafter referred to as our Clients and on whose instruction we write.
“Please be informed that Otunba Wole Ogunbayo is the alter ego of Amba Properties Limited.Whereas Otunba Wole Ogunbayo is a philanthropist, community and church leader, property consultant and business man of good repute; Amba Properties Limited is a reputable company well known for property management, real estate consultancy and facilities management for more than two decades.
“Our Clients have referred your false, malicious and defamatory content published through Azeez Ashiru on phone number 08034237237 via whatsapp medium on the 3rd of June, 2024 and via STV 24 television medium around 22.56 and 22:59 on the 3rd of June, 2024 to members of the general public and the whole world and accordingly sought our intervention.
“You maliciously published the said defamatory content to members of the general public and the whole world as follows: ‘Please save us from AMBA and Gani Onimale. He has stationed land grabbers on the farm land, They are after us.’
Oguntimehin expalined the said publications have damaged the reputation of his client, Otunba Wole Ogunbayo, who he described as a highly respected chief in Remoland and a devout christian.
“This man published several damaging messages about my client. For the records, Otunba Wole Ogunbayo is the managing director/CEO of Amba Properties Limited, a company he established in February 2002. He is reputable well known for Property Management, Real Estate Consultant and Facilities Management in Nigeria.
“Beyond this, he is a well-decorated chief in Remoland. Among his titles are, Akile of Itori Land; Otunba Fiwagboye of Ijoku Land; Bashorun of Isara Remo; Diocesan Adviser to Remo Anglican Diocese on Property Matters; Baba Ewe of Emmanuel Anglican Church and an award of honour by the Nigeria Police Force, Sagamu Area Command among several others.”
Speaking on the possible cause of the crisis, Oguntimehin explained that Ashiru Azeez resorted to blackmails and threats after several failures to grab some land that was purchased by Amba Properties some years ago.
“The real reason behind all of this is Ashiru’s failure to grab some parcels of land that Otunba purchased Otunba Ogunbayo purchased some acres of land from the original owners some years ago. He has tried several tricks, but has failed. The latest of the criminal activities of Azeez Oladimeji Ashiru is the orchestration of false, malicious and defamatory content published on his phone number.”
Oguntimehin stated that Ashiru Azeez, who he alleged started sponsoring frivolous petitions and campaign of calumny against them since the year 2019, has variously dodged efforts to serve him court summons, while he has also refused to answer invitations by the police and the DSS.
“The purpose of this is to alert the world to the desperation of this man. We have observed that he is getting more desperate as the days pass bye. All these acts of blackails and treats cannot work,” Oguntimehin maintained.

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Ogun High Court grants relief to Datkem as shocking photos of malicious damage surface

Published

2 months ago

on

May 20, 2024

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The High Court of Justice in Ogun State, led by Honourable Justice O. Hassan Oyajinmi, has granted significant relief to Datkem Enterprises Limited, headed by Yeye Olufunke Daniel, in a property dispute against multiple state authorities.
The case (Suit No: HCJ/297/2023) involves allegations of unlawful demolition and trespass by the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development and other defendants.
The claimants, represented by senior counsel A.M. Kutoye, SAN, sought an interlocutory injunction to prevent further trespass and damage to their property.
They also requested an official inspection to assess damages and the removal of unused materials trapped on the property due to the alleged unlawful actions by the state government on September 10, 2023. These materials are valued at N184,435,000.
The defendants, represented by Mrs. Elegbede, filed a counter affidavit and a preliminary objection, challenging the motion on procedural grounds and questioning the court’s jurisdiction.
They argued that the claimants had not exhausted administrative remedies under the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning Development Law of 2022.
In the Certified True Copy sighted by Freelanews, Justice Oyajinmi granted the claimants’ reliefs, mandating the Chief Registrar to inspect the property, take inventory of the damage, and oversee the removal of unused items.
Specifically, the reliefs sought included:
An Order of Interlocutory Injunction: To restrain the defendants and their agents from further trespassing or negatively affecting the claimants’ proprietary rights.
An Order for Inspection and Inventory: To allow the Chief Registrar or an appointed officer, along with the claimants, to inspect the property, assess the damage, and take inventory of the destruction and unused items.
An Order for Removal of Unused Items: To permit the removal of unused materials purchased for the completion of the property before the invasion and sealing by the defendants on September 10, 2023.
The ruling underscores the court’s role in protecting proprietary rights against unlawful government actions and provides interim relief to Datkems Enterprises, allowing them to mitigate further losses.
Concerning jurisdiction, the defendants’ preliminary objection was dismissed, affirming the court’s competence to hear the case.
The court emphasized the necessity of adhering to statutory conditions while ensuring timely justice.
The upcoming expedited hearing will further address the substantive issues, potentially setting a precedent for similar disputes in the future.
The claimants are represented by A.M. Kotoye (SAN) and O.T. Are Esq., while the defense team includes O.T. Olaotan (S.G), F.I. Ameh (A.D.P.P), A.B. Elegbede (S.S.C.), and M.L. Deinde-Dipeolu.
Recall that DATKEM initiated the suit via a Writ of Summons on December 4, 2023, citing various grievances against the Ogun State government’s agency, including failure to respond to letters of complaint regarding an alleged unlawful ‘Notice to Quit’ and subsequent violent invasion of the property.
On September 10, 2023, at approximately 3:00 AM, the 3rd defendant, with the assistance of armed policemen and other agents, forcefully entered and vandalized the property.
Yeye Daniel, the former first lady of Ogun State and wife of the senator representing Ogun East District at the national assembly, asserted that this invasion resulted in significant damage and left numerous materials and items, valued at N184,435,000, trapped within the property.
These items, intended for the property’s completion, have since been rendered unusable.
However, a source close to happenings informed Freelanews that Justice Oyajinmi has recused himself from the case, being the second judge to do so since the commencement of this trial over alleged intimidation.

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Malabu Case: EFCC Debunks Allegations of Bribery of Its Official, Mulls Appeal

Published

4 months ago

on

April 6, 2024

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has debunked as false, news making the rounds that one of its prosecutors was offered a bribe over the Malabu OPL 245 fraud case leading to the dismissal of the charges against a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke and others by a Federal Capital Territory High Court.
In statement issued on Friday on its official website and verified social media handles, the anti-corruption agency disclosed that it has commenced a review of developments around the Malabu OPL 245 fraud case, including the dismissal of the charges against Bello Adoke and others by the Court in Abuja.
The review, the EFCC hinted, will entail exploration of the option of appeal and possible change of counsel in view of the Commission’s dissatisfaction with the handling of the case by Offem Uket.
Speaking on the alleged bribing of its official, the EFCC says, its intention to review or appeal the case “has no nexus whatsoever to the spew of speculations imputing compromise by parties to the charge, currently making the rounds in some sections of the media.” It will be recalled that after the decision of the Abuja High Court upholding the no case submission of the defendants in the criminal case, a certain online news outfit had spewed the narrative suggesting that the EFCC accused its prosecutor of compromise by prominent lawyers connected to the case.
In denying the narrative of compromise, the anti-corruption agency further said, the, “EFCC is not obliged to embrace such narratives as it neither accused any of the parties of any unsavoury conduct nor made any conclusive statements about any investigation on the matter.”
The agency also dubbed allegations of compromise as “effusions of mischief makers” and urged the general public to await its next course of actions

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