British police have charged actor-comedian Russell Brand with sexual assault charges, including rape, relating to alleged incidents between 1999 and 2005

British police have announced that actor-comedian Russell Brand has been charged with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault.

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The charges follow a number of allegations relating to incidents that reportedly occurred between 1999 and 2005.

The Metropolitan Police issued a statement on Friday confirming the charges against Brand, who is 50 years old.

Brand, formerly a high-profile comedian and broadcaster in the UK and the ex-husband of U.S. pop singer Katy Perry, has more recently gained prominence as an internet social commentator.

Police stated that Brand, who resides in Oxfordshire, southern England, faces these five charges in connection with four separate women.

“The Met’s investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police,” the police statement emphasised.

In 2023, a joint investigation by the Sunday Times newspaper and Channel 4 TV’s documentary programme “Dispatches” reported accusations from four women who alleged sexual assaults, including rape, by Brand between 2006 and 2013.

Russell Brand has previously publicly stated that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity.

Seventeen internet fraudsters were jailed in Benin City after pleading guilty to fraud charges and retaining proceeds of crime

Seventeen internet fraudsters have been convicted and sentenced in Benin City after they pleaded guilty to one-count charges relating to obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted the convicts, who were arraigned before Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin of the Edo State High Courts.

The convicts include Ekene Ezerioha, Ayeleso Ayodeji Richard, Prince Unity Igbinekaro, Marvelous Adebor, Osayande Oseh, Chukwuebuka James Edozie, Clinton Osayi Okojie, Chinedu Ugwu Kingsley, Emmanuel Ezeala, Isioma Christopher, Adebayo Ayomide, Ubaro Best, Junior Oboh, Chieye Goodluck, Lucky James Isioma, Jeremiah Okwuezuru Nwadiashi, and Destiny Grace. They were arrested in a sting operation following intelligence suggesting their involvement in internet fraud.

The charge against one of the convicts, Ekene Ezerioha, states that on or about March 14, 2025, within the jurisdiction of the court, he possessed documents that contained false pretences, which led to his conviction under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.

All 17 defendants pleaded guilty when their charges were read to them. In response, the prosecution counsel, including F.A. Jirbo, K.Y. Bello, Isa K. Agwai, Faisal Ibrahim, Al-Amin Ibrahim Abdul, Bala-Ribah, and Salihu Ahmed, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. Their defence counsel pleaded for leniency, stating that the convicts had shown remorse for their actions.

Justice Erhabor sentenced Igbinekaro, Adebor, Oseh, Edozie, Okojie, Christopher, Best, Nwadiashi, and Grace to two years imprisonment each or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each. Richard, Kingsley, Ezeala, Goodluck, and Isioma were sentenced to three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each.

Justice Aziegbemhin sentenced Oboh, Ayomide, and Ezerioha to two years imprisonment each or a fine of N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) each.

In addition to their sentences, all convicts forfeited their phones, computers, and the money in their bank accounts to the federal government. They also committed, in writing, to good behaviour moving forward.

This action is part of the ongoing efforts by the EFCC to tackle internet fraud and ensure that perpetrators of fraudulent activities face justice. The convicts’ sentences serve as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in cybercrime in Nigeria.

 A Lagos POS operator, Shamsudeen Ishiaka, has been arraigned for allegedly defrauding five colleagues of N17 million through bank transfers

A 24-year-old Point of Sale (POS) operator, Shamsudeen Ishiaka, has been arraigned before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding five of his colleagues of N17 million.

The alleged offences occurred in November 2024 at Mile 12 Market, Ketu, where Ishiaka reportedly collected funds through bank transfers from his colleagues, promising to repay them in cash—a commitment he failed to fulfill.

According to **Prosecutor Inspector Bassey Sunday**, the complainants made the following transfers to Ishiaka in exchange for cash:

– ₦7 million – Mr Oluwakemi Dada
– ₦4 million – Mr Nuhu Hassan
– ₦2.7 million – Mr Ahmed Didat
– ₦1.8 million – Mr David Chibuzor
– ₦1.5 million – Mr Dare Oyegoke

After receiving the funds, Ishiaka allegedly absconded, prompting the victims to report the case to the police. He was later tracked down and arrested.

Ishiaka was charged with fraud and stealing, offences that violate **Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015