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Man Sentenced to One Year in Lagos Court for Online Impersonation

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8 months ago

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Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a man to one year in prison for impersonating another person online in an attempt to defraud.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Daniel Osiagor, sitting in Ikoyi, delivered the judgment Wednesday, September 24, 2025. The convict, identified as Imran Mujeeb Ayomide, was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC charged Ayomide with fraudulent impersonation after investigators discovered that he had posed as a woman named Agent Julie Ann Andrews Irs using a Google account. Prosecutors told the court that Ayomide used the false identity to mislead others for his personal gain.

According to the charge sheet, the crime took place in August 2025 in Lagos. The offense violated Section 22(2)(b) of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, which addresses internet-related fraud and imposes penalties for offenders.

When the charge was read to him, Ayomide pleaded guilty. His plea allowed the prosecution to present evidence directly to the court without a lengthy trial.

Prosecution counsel N. C. Mutfwang reviewed the facts of the case. She submitted Ayomide’s written statement and presented a Samsung S10 smartphone recovered from him during the investigation. Mutfwang urged the court to convict him, arguing that the EFCC had provided clear evidence of the impersonation scheme.

After reviewing the evidence and Ayomide’s guilty plea, Justice Osiagor found him guilty as charged.

The judge sentenced him to one year in prison but gave him the option of paying a fine of 120,000 naira (about $160). In addition, the court ordered that the Samsung phone used in the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The EFCC, in a statement, welcomed the ruling. The commission has repeatedly warned that online impersonation is one of the most common tactics used by fraudsters to deceive unsuspecting victims. By pretending to be another person, scammers often trick people into sharing sensitive information, sending money, or granting access to online accounts.

Cybercrime remains a major concern in Nigeria, where so-called “Yahoo Boys” have gained global attention for internet fraud schemes. Authorities say such crimes damage the country’s international image and discourage foreign investment.

The Cybercrimes Act of 2015 was passed to combat these offenses. It provides legal tools to prosecute offenders and sets penalties for a wide range of online crimes, including identity theft, cyberstalking, phishing, and financial fraud. Offenders can face heavy fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture of assets used in the crime.

Legal experts say Ayomide’s conviction shows that courts are increasingly enforcing the law to deter others. “Cases like this send a message that cybercrime has consequences,” said one lawyer familiar with EFCC prosecutions.

The EFCC has urged young Nigerians to avoid online fraud and instead use their digital skills for legitimate opportunities. The commission has also increased public awareness campaigns about the risks of impersonation and internet scams.

In recent years, the EFCC has secured multiple convictions for similar crimes. Many offenders are caught after impersonating foreign nationals or creating fake online profiles to deceive victims. Some target individuals through romance scams, while others impersonate officials or business representatives.

For Ayomide, the ruling means he must either serve time in prison or pay the court-ordered fine. The forfeiture of his mobile device underscores the EFCC’s stance that tools used in cybercrime will not be returned to offenders.

The judgment highlights Nigeria’s continued battle against online fraud. As internet use grows in the country, authorities say stricter enforcement of cybercrime laws is necessary to protect both local and international users.

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Crime

Purified Deception: NDLEA Uncovers Massive Drug Haul Concealed In Water Purifiers!.

Published

4 days ago

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May 31, 2026

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has executed a series of successful operations across Nigeria to disrupt drug supply chains and combat trafficking.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Lagos Drug Interception

  • NDLEA operatives intercepted a shipment of high-potency illicit drugs, including three kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA, concealed within water purifier machines imported from the Netherlands.

  • The discovery took place at a Lagos courier facility on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, after traffickers attempted to bypass security screenings.

Kaduna and Niger State Operations

  • In Kaduna, officers arrested a couple, Musa and Mercy Sunday, and 38-year-old Salomi Ezekiel on May 24, 2026, following the recovery of 1,246 kilograms of skunk from their home in Gonin Gora.

  • Separately in Kaduna, 30-year-old Sunusi Musa was intercepted on the Abuja-Kaduna highway with 380 rounds of military-grade ammunition intended for transport to Katsina State.

  • In Niger State, a raid on a warehouse in the Bosso Local Government Area on May 27, 2026, led to the recovery of 457 kilograms of skunk, resulting in the arrest of 46-year-old Godwin Zakka.

Enugu Seizure

  • On May 28, 2026, NDLEA officers patrolling the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway searched a commercial vehicle heading to Taraba State.

  • The search resulted in the seizure of 22,000 tramadol pills, 100 ampoules of pentazocine, and 200 grams of bromazepam, leading to the arrest of suspect James Maigari Wisdom.

Public Awareness and Leadership Commendation

  • Beyond enforcement, the agency has actively continued its “War Against Drug Abuse” (WADA) campaign through sensitization programs in schools, workplaces, and places of worship across the nation.

  • NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised the command personnel for their diligence in balancing enforcement with public education.

  • Marwa urged officers nationwide to maintain their commitment to the ongoing fight against illicit substances.

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Crime

No Mercy! NDLEA Boss Buba Marwa Vows Ruthless Revenge After Dawaki Drug Syndicate Attacks Agents.

Published

1 week ago

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May 26, 2026

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The Chairman and CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mohamed Buba Marwa, has issued a stern warning to criminal syndicates following a brutal mob assault on his men in the Federal Capital Territory.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Marwa paid a high-level visit to the National Hospital in Abuja on Monday to check on two operatives, Ayegh Dooyun Zachariah and Shehu Jamil Ibrahim, who sustained severe injuries during a high-stakes raid in the Dawaki area on May 15, 2026.

“An Attack on Our Officers Is an Attack on the State”

During his visit to the trauma ward, Marwa expressed outrage over the “cowardly” nature of the attack, vowing that the agency would not rest until every perpetrator is identified and prosecuted.

  • Full Support: Marwa guaranteed that the agency would cover all medical expenses and welfare needs for the officers until they make a full recovery.

  • Zero Tolerance: The NDLEA boss emphasized that the agency would intensify its operations, stating that such violence would never deter the fight against illicit substances.

  • Justice Promised: “The Agency will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those responsible for this cowardly attack are arrested, and brought to justice,” Marwa declared.

Honoring Bravery in the Line of Duty

To acknowledge the officers’ professionalism and high-risk service, Marwa took direct action to boost their morale and demonstrate the agency’s commitment to its personnel:

  1. Letters of Commendation: Both officers were presented with official letters of commendation personally signed by the Chairman.

  2. Additional Support: Approval for special support packages was granted to assist in their rehabilitation.

  3. Medical Recognition: Marwa formally thanked the National Hospital staff and the NDLEA medical team for their swift intervention in stabilizing the officers’ conditions.

Marwa’s Stance: “Their sacrifices in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse remain invaluable to the country. The agency will continue to stand by personnel injured in the line of duty.”

A Renewed Anti-Narcotics Offensive

Despite the violent resistance from hoodlums in the FCT, Marwa maintained that the NDLEA’s mandate remains unchanged. The agency is moving forward with a sharpened focus on dismantling drug cartels and cleansing local communities of illicit substances, proving that no amount of intimidation will slow down the national crackdown on narcotics.

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ANIMAL

“Divided They Fall: How The ADC-NDC Bitter War Of Words Is Handing APC An Easy Victory”.

Published

1 week ago

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May 26, 2026

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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has stated that he finds entertainment in the ongoing bitter feud between opposition parties, describing their internal crises as entirely self-inflicted.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday, Yilwatda clarified that the ruling party is currently not engaged in political warfare with its rivals. Instead, he noted that the real battle is raging between the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

“Over the past three weeks, the APC hasn’t been fighting the ADC or NDC. It’s been NDC against ADC,” Yilwatda remarked. “Honestly, I’ve been watching the insults traded between both parties with absolute amusement. I watch the videos and just laugh. The self-implosion is happening within the opposition, not the APC.”

When questioned on whether he was secretly orchestrating the chaos to weaken his rivals, the APC chairman denied direct involvement but openly admitted that neutralizing the opposition is part of his mandate.

“I am not doing it, but I’d be glad if I could—that is my job,” he stated. “As the ruling party, my role is to stop the opposition, not to make them happy.”

Yilwatda further argued that the APC remains the most stable political entity in Nigeria due to its robust internal conflict resolution committees and its advanced, data-driven membership registration. He revealed that the APC is the only party that links its membership database directly with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), ensuring a transparent and credible structure.

Option 2: Sharp and Punchy (High Engagement / Social Media Friendly)

Headline: ‘I Watch and Laugh’ — APC Boss Nentawe Yilwatda Reacts to ADC vs NDC Bitter Feud

APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda says he is helping himself to front-row entertainment as opposition parties tear each other apart in what he describes as a “self-inflicted implosion.”

Featuring on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Yilwatda pointed out that the ruling party has stepped back to watch the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) engage in a fierce war of words.

“I watch the videos and laugh,” Yilwatda admitted, referencing the heavy insults traded between the two factions over the last three weeks.

While dismissing allegations that he is masterminding the division, the APC boss didn’t hide his satisfaction, stating bluntly that weakening rival parties is simply part of the political game. “If you are in the opposition, my job is to stop you,” he declared.

He credited the APC’s ongoing stability to its solid internal dispute mechanisms and a highly digitized, data-driven membership system integrated directly with NIMC.

Option 3: Editorial / Analytical Style

Headline: The Opposition is Imploding on Its Own, Says APC Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda

In a candid television appearance on Monday, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda dismissed claims that the ruling party is actively fighting the opposition, asserting that rival parties are currently destroying themselves from within.

Appearing on Channels Television, Yilwatda highlighted the escalating hostility between the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), confessing that he has been watching their exchange of fireworks “with fun.”

Addressing suspicions of political sabotage, Yilwatda maintained that while he isn’t pulling the strings behind the opposition’s crisis, he welcomes it as a political advantage. According to him, dismantling opposition strategies is a core responsibility of his leadership.

Beyond the political drama, Yilwatda defended the structural integrity of the APC, pointing to its state and national reconciliation committees as key pillars of its stability. He also emphasized that the APC’s reliance on NIMC data for membership registration makes it Nigeria’s most technologically advanced and viable political party.

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