2025 | Page 45 of 140 | Trendbrio.com

Apprentice Accomplice Arrested for ₦250 Million Building Materials Theft in Lagos

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Ikoyi, Lagos, has arrested an apprentice, Ezekiel Taiwo, and his alleged accomplice, Rahman Airat, for allegedly diverting building materials worth over ₦250 million from Taiwo’s employer to fund their gambling lifestyle. The arrests were confirmed in a statement released on Saturday by the spokesperson for the PSFU, Ovie Ewhubare, who stated that the two suspects have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos on a five-count charge that includes conspiracy, theft, fraudulent conversion, embezzlement, and money laundering. “In a significant development to an ongoing case of conspiracy, stealing, fraudulent conversion of funds, embezzlement, and money laundering to the tune of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N250,000,000), the PSFU has arraigned two suspects; Taiwo ‘M’ and Airat before the Federal High Court, Lagos,” Ewhubare announced. The case originated from a petition filed by businessman Jimoh Atofolaki, who alleged that Taiwo, his apprentice assigned to the Osogbo branch of his company, diverted massive quantities of building materials—particularly cement—belonging to the company. According to the investigation, Taiwo, in collusion with Airat, sold the materials and channeled the proceeds into gambling activities. The Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, CP Okunade Nurat, used the case to issue a caution to business owners across the country. “We urge members of the public to be wary and always ensure that they carry out thorough background checks before employing individuals to take charge of their businesses,” she said. This is not the first time the PSFU has handled such a case. In 2019, a similar incident involved a 20-year-old apprentice, Kosi Nnamani, who was charged at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing goods valued at ₦1.94 million from his master. The PSFU continues to investigate the full extent of the conspiracy, with further court proceedings expected in the coming weeks.

VeryDarkMan Threatens Legal Action Against EFCC Over Alleged Money Laundering Photo

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago05 mins

Popular social media personality, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has announced his intention to take legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if the agency publishes a photograph of him with allegations of money laundering. In a video shared on social media following his release from EFCC custody, VeryDarkMan revealed that a photo was taken of him holding the agency’s signature placard. He warned that should the EFCC publish the image on its website or social media and label it with a money laundering allegation, he would sue. “EFCC, I want us to start a friendship, but what could ruin that friendship is if you people post the picture you took of me and label it as money laundering,” he said. “If you post that picture claiming it’s about money laundering, then you should also release the full context behind it.” The influencer emphasized that posting the image with such a caption would amount to defamation, and he would challenge it in court. “If I see my picture on your website with a caption suggesting money laundering, you’ll have to prove it. That’s where our issue will begin—and we will settle it in court. It might even become the first open court case of its kind. If you go ahead and post it, it simply means the picture with the alleged money laundering claim is false,” he said. VDM further claimed that his phone remains in the custody of the EFCC and expressed concerns that his private information could be compromised. Despite these tensions, he referred to the EFCC as a “potential future friend,” saying their relationship hinges on how the agency handles the situation. “I don’t mind anything else you put up—no problem. In fact, I even want to use your placard as my profile picture,” he added jokingly. “But if you associate it with lies, we’re going to court.” He also criticized GTBank, the financial institution reportedly connected to the location where he was arrested, accusing them of releasing misleading content online during his ordeal. “As for GTBank, I’m coming to explain what happened. What you people did is crazy, I’ve seen the various images and videos you posted online. Did you think I wouldn’t survive or come out? I’m out now, and I have evidence. Your only saving grace is if the EFCC deletes those videos. I have the full footage of how everything happened,” he stated. VeryDarkMan warned that if the EFCC publishes misleading content, not only will it harm his image, but it will also backfire on the commission. “Yes, you’re a big agency, part of the government, but I promise you—I’ll give you stress,” he warned. “It will damage your image and integrity. And it will further prove that what you posted online isn’t the truth.” The outspoken influencer’s comments have added to public interest in his arrest and the EFCC’s handling of his case, as concerns mount over accountability and the treatment of individuals in custody.

Can Your Landlord or Residence Association Legally Lock You Out? Here’s What the Law Says

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

Your Landlord does not have the right to stop you from gaining access to the apartment you paid for and he does not have the right to make any rule that can stop you or any other Tenants from having access to their apartment Secondly, the Landlord has no Legal Power to restrct your movement, This is a breach of your Fundamental Human Rights and it’s time to teach the Landlord some Lessons he or she refuses to learn from tender age. This by the way includes Landlord Association in an Estate, that are locking out members of the Community. Tenants are not your Children or your Slaves to be controlled like they depend on you for feeding. HOW TO GO ABOUT IT AS A TENANT OR RESIDENCE Keep evidences of the message sent on phone or hardcopy 2) Meet with the Landlord or Resident’s Association Chairman and let him know about how the rule is a violation of your Fundamental Human Right and record the conversation for evidence purpose only. ACTION Any day you are locked out , 1)Call him on phone and keep evidence that you called him and he did not pick up or was saying otherwise. 2) Sleep by the gutter on the Street and take pictures of yourself as evidence and move away . 3) Sleep at the entrance Gate and do the same thing as you don’t have the financial capacity to Lodge in a Hotel. 4) It’s time to SU£ the Landlord or Association and demand for damages in Millions of Naira and claim some of your items was stolen while you where sleeping outside on the Street. You can even do some photoshop bruises. The Landlord will learn the hard way As a Landlord you can make such rule, but it must be a flexible one in the sense that when they call you on phone or you create a channel of someone they can call to come help them open the Gate or you give each one their own spare key at their own expense so they can come in easily after locking the Gate against outsiders from entering into your property. Ignorance of the law is no excuse

Alleged $1,043, 000 Fraud: Supreme Court Revokes Fred Ajudua’s Bail, Returns him to Prison

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

The Supreme Court on Friday, May 5, 2025 allowed an appeal made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against the decision of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division which granted bail to a socialite, Fred Ajudua. Ajudua is standing trial for allegedly obtaining the sum of $ 1,043,000( One Million, Forty Three Thousand Dollars from a Palestinian, Zad Abu Zalaf, in fraudulent circumstances. At the beginning of trial in 2005 before Justice M.O Obadina of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Ajudua employed several legal technicalities to stall proceedings which made his arraignment difficult until the matter was re- assigned to Justice J. E Oyefeso and later Justice M. A Dada before whom he was arraigned on June 4, 2018. Ajudua challenged his denial of bail at the Lagos Court of Appeal and the appellate court granted him bail on September 10, 2018. Dissatisfied with the judgment, the EFCC approached the apex court in suit number SC/ 51C/ 2019. challenging the judgment of the appellate court. The Commission also entered another appeal before the apex court in suit number SC/912C/2018 against the Court of Appeal Lagos’ judgment ordering the case to be transferred from the court of Justice Dada of the Lagos State High Court to another judge for the case to start de novo. Delivering judgment on the appeals on Friday, the Supreme Court allowed the EFCC’s appeals and revoked Ajudua’s bail granted to him by the Court of Appeal, Lagos and reinstated the ruling of Justice Dada which declined to grant him bail. The Supreme Court also ordered that Fred Ajudua be remanded in the Correctional Centre). The Court further directed that the Chief Judge of Lagos State should reassign the case to Justice Dada to continue the trial. The apex court further held that the appeal in appeal no SC/912C/2019 has become academic since the payer in that appeal was against an order of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, transferring the case to another court to start the case de novo.

Ganduje: Nothing Wrong If Nigeria Becomes a One-Party State

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has said there is nothing wrong if Nigeria eventually evolves into a one-party system, provided such development reflects the will of the people. Ganduje made this statement on Friday after leading three senators from Kebbi State—Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki—formerly of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to declare their defection to the ruling APC during a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. With the defections, the APC continues to strengthen its majority in the National Assembly. Addressing growing concerns about the implications of the wave of defections from opposition parties, Ganduje dismissed fears that Nigeria’s democracy might be threatened. He cited China as an example of a country thriving under a one-party system. “There is nothing wrong if Nigeria becomes a one-party state. If that is the wish and blessing of Nigerians, we cannot quarrel with that,” Ganduje said. “A one-party state is not by force. It is by negotiation, by other political parties seeing the positive governance of our party and deciding to join us willingly.” He emphasized that the APC is not actively working to eliminate opposition, but if other parties merge into the ruling party due to its performance, it should be seen as democratic progression. “You know they say too many cooks spoil the soup. Too many political parties spoil governance,” Ganduje added. “China is one of the strongest countries in the world, and it’s a one-party system.” His remarks have sparked fresh debate about the future of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, with critics warning of the dangers of shrinking political competition, while supporters argue that effective governance should take precedence over partisan plurality. Read Full Details Here: news360ng.com

Nigeria Pulls Out of World Relays Amid Visa Issues

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago05 mins

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has confirmed they will not be competing at the 2025 World Relays in Guangzhou, China set to begin today. The AFN cited delays in visa issuance by the Chinese authorities as the reason behind their withdrawal. “The Athletics Federation of Nigeria announces with deep regret the withdrawal of team Nigeria from the 2025 World Relays in Guangzhou, China, despite visas finally being issued today, far too late for meaningful participation,” the statement read. The withdrawal follows a worrying trend for Nigerian athletics’ relationship with China as the federation fielded a heavily reduced contingent at the World Indoors Championships held in Nanjing, China in March, again due to visa issues. The AFN has laid the blame at the feet of the Chinese authorities who they believed had caused undue delays in the visa processing. “This last-minute issuance, occurring on the very day our team was scheduled to arrive in Guangzhou, renders participation logistically impossible and demonstrates a fundamental failure of the Chinese administrative processes,” the AFN stated. AFN President Tonobok Okowa also voiced his discontent with the situation. He believes the situation was a deliberate attempt to exclude team Nigeria and maintains the AFN had complied with all protocols required of them. “Today’s last-minute visa issuance by Chinese authorities represents a diplomatic failure that has profound sporting consequences,” the AFN president said. “Our athletes submitted all required documents in good faith and well in advance, yet were subjected to delays and obstacles that made participation impossible. “The timing of this visa issuance, on the very day our team was scheduled to arrive in China, can only be interpreted as either gross administrative incompetence or a deliberate attempt to exclude Nigerian athletes from the World Relays.” When The Gleaner reached out to the sport’s governing body, World Athletics, the organisation denied any reports that visas for Nigerian athletes and personnel were delayed or denied. “Following the correct visa process and timelines is of paramount importance for all stakeholders to ensure their visas are issued in time, and as far as we have been informed, no visas were denied to athletes or support personnel from Nigeria,” World Athletics told The Gleaner. World Athletics also stated that all countries scheduled to compete were informed of the requirements for their visa applications and the deadlines for complete the process. The governing body maintained while visa requirements differ based on the country, their local organising committee had been ‘extremely collaborative’ with all countries involved. “Visa entry criteria differ country by country. The Local Organising Committee for World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25 has always been very clear with all stakeholders regarding the specific requirements to acquire a visa in time for the competition and have been extremely collaborative throughout the process.” The World Relays will begin today and serve as the qualifying event for teams wishing to compete in relays at the 2025 World Athletics Championships set to be held in Tokyo, Japan in September.

Zulum Bans Petrol Sales in Bama LGA Approves Patrol Vehicles After Boko Haram Attack on Izge

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has imposed an immediate ban on the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, in Bama Local Government Area, including Bama town and the border community of Banki. The directive, announced on Saturday by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, follows consultations with security agencies and is aimed at curbing fuel supply to insurgents operating in the region. “I have directed the immediate ban on the sale of petrol in Bama town, Banki, and other parts of Bama Local Government Area with immediate effect,” Governor Zulum said, warning that violators would face the full weight of the law. “There will be no sacred cows in the enforcement of this ban,” he added. Governor Zulum reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring lasting peace in Borno and called for public cooperation to strengthen the ongoing counter-insurgency efforts. Patrol Vehicles, Motorcycles Approved After Izge Attack Meanwhile, in response to a recent Boko Haram attack on the Izge community in Gwoza Local Government Area, Governor Zulum visited the area and approved the release of five Toyota Hilux patrol vehicles and 30 motorcycles to support local security efforts. The vehicles and motorcycles are to be deployed for use by the military and youth volunteers to improve mobility and responsiveness during security operations. “I am here to examine the situation on the ground and find out from you what your real problems are so we can address them,” Zulum told residents during the visit. He commended the military and local defenders for their bravery in repelling the insurgents and reassured the community of his administration’s commitment to preventing displacement and ensuring safety. “This government will do whatever it takes to maintain law and order in Izge and across Borno. We shall not lose ground,” he declared. The Governor also announced plans for the continued resettlement of displaced communities including Ashigasha, Warabe, Guduf, Wala, and other smaller villages, emphasizing that despite security setbacks, efforts to restore normalcy will persist. Zulum was accompanied by key government officials including the member representing Gwoza at the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Buba Abatcha, and other senior aides and commissioners.

Supreme Court Revokes Bail of Fred Ajudua Orders Return to Prison Over $1.43m Fraud Case

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has revoked the bail previously granted to Lagos socialite Fred Ajudua, who is currently facing trial over allegations of defrauding a German-based Palestinian businessman of $1.43 million in 1993. In a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday by a five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, the court ruled that Ajudua must be remanded in prison custody, and his trial must resume without delay. The ruling was in response to an appeal filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), marked SC/CR/51/2019, challenging the December 10, 2018 decision of the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, which had granted Ajudua bail. Supreme Court’s Rationale Justice Nwosu-Iheme held that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to grant Ajudua bail after it had already declared his brief of argument as incompetent and struck it out. The Court concluded that the appellate court had become functus officio—having exhausted its legal authority on the matter—and could not proceed to rule on the bail application. “At that point, the appellant’s (Ajudua’s) appeal was extinguished. The lower court had no jurisdiction to proceed further,” the court ruled. The apex court reinstated the July 5, 2018 decision by Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court, who had earlier denied Ajudua’s bail application, and ordered that the trial resume before the same judge for speedy determination. Background of the Case The EFCC alleges that Ajudua, alongside an accomplice Joseph Ochunor (still at large), defrauded Ziad Abu Zalaf, a Palestinian businessman, through forged CBN and NNPC receipts, under the guise of executing oil-related contracts. The scam, according to prosecutors, occurred in 1993 and involved multiple payments by Zalaf, including: The total amount allegedly swindled reached $1.43 million. Bail History and Legal Maneuvers Ajudua, who pleaded for bail on health grounds, was initially denied by the trial court. However, in a controversial decision, the Court of Appeal later overturned that ruling, granting him bail and describing it as a constitutional right. Following this, the EFCC escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, which has now overruled the appellate decision, emphasizing due process and judicial consistency. Next Steps The Supreme Court has directed the Chief Judge of Lagos State to reassign the case to Justice Mojisola Dada for immediate continuation of trial. Ajudua is to remain in prison custody during this process. Would you like a summary version of this ruling tailored for press or social media?