November 25, 2021

[GIST] US Court Jails Nigerian Man 87 Months For Laundering Over N1Billion Fraud Money To Nigerian Banks

[GIST] US Court Jails Nigerian Man 87 Months For Laundering Over N1Billion Fraud Money To Nigerian Banks

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The United States District Court Chief Judge, Matthew Brann, on Wednesday, sentenced a 36-year-old Nigerian man, Jabin Godspower Okpako to 87 months in prison for his involvement in the laundering of $1.89 million (approximately N1 billion at N560 to $1 parallel market rate), found to be proceeds of fraud. 

Okpako and his wife, Christine received $1,898,046 through their devised multiple fraud schemes to swindle females in the US through social media platforms and transferred their ill-gotten funds from their victims to three Nigerian banks.

File photo used to illustrate story.

The United States Attorney’s office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania disclosed this in a Press Release on Wednesday.
 
The statement read, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jabin Godspower Okpako, aged 36, was sentenced on November 23, 2021, to 87 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for conspiring to launder approximately $1.89 million in mail and wire fraud proceeds.
 
“According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Jabin Okpako and his wife, codefendant Christine Bradley Okpako, age 54, of Sayre, Pennsylvania, received approximately $1,898,046 million in proceeds from a mail and wire fraud scheme, laundered the funds through numerous bank and wire transactions in multiple states, and transferred the funds out of the United States to three separate bank accounts in Nigeria. 
 
“The mail and wire fraud scheme sought to defraud multiple female victims throughout the United States, ranging in age from 55 to 85. The victims had visited online game, relationship and dating web sites, including Instagram, Facebook, Words with Friends, and WhatsApp.”
 
It further read, “The conspirators, located in the United States and West Africa, befriended the victims through interaction and exchanges of photos on the websites via text and instant messaging.
 
“After cultivating online relationships with the victims, the conspirators fraudulently induced the victims to send and transmit funds for various fictitious reasons and purposes, including to assist a worker in Alaska who fell from a tower, to purchase an apartment in Washington, D.C., to assist the United Nations, to repair machinery and equipment on an oil drilling rig, to pay for medicine, to recover a $6 million inheritance, and to make an investment in gold. 
 
“After fraudulently inducing the victims to provide funds for these fictitious reasons, the unindicted conspirators instructed the victims to transmit checks and cash to Okpako and Bradley at their residence in Sayre, Pennsylvania.”
 
The statement revealed that Okpako’s wife pleaded guilty to the offence levelled against her in court on March 31, 2021, and as such she awaits her judgment.
 
“In sentencing Okpako, Chief Judge Brann stated that Okpako and his wife continued to transfer fraud proceeds to Nigeria even after numerous banks closed their accounts based on the suspicious and irregular nature of the transactions. 
 
“Chief Judge Brann also noted that Okpako and his wife continued to conduct money laundering transfers despite receiving a warning letter from the FBI concerning their activities. Chief Judge Brann ordered Okpako to make restitution in the amount of $440,950 to victims and forfeit proceeds of the criminal activity.  
 
“Christine Bradley Okpako pleaded guilty on March 31, 2021, to conspiracy to commit money laundering through mail and wire fraud and is awaiting sentencing.
 
“The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel prosecuted the case.”   
 

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[GIST] BREAKING: Family Mourns As Former Information Minister, Dora Akunyili’s Husband, Chike Lies In State

[GIST] BREAKING: Family Mourns As Former Information Minister, Dora Akunyili’s Husband, Chike Lies In State

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The coffin of Dr Chike Akunyili, the late husband of former Minister of Information and Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC), Dora Akunyili lay in state on Thursday morning at his house in Agulu, Anambra State.  

Grieving family members were present to honour the deceased. 

A former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi was also present. 

Pontifical Requiem Mass for the deceased will come up at Madonna Catholic Church, Agulu, under Anaocha local government area of Anambra State, to be followed by interment at his country home.

This was contained in the burial arrangement released by his family, which was obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday.

Dr Akunyili, a medical doctor was assassinated by unknown gunmen on September 29, 2021, in Anambra State.

Burial activities had begun on Thursday, 18th November, with the Cancellation at the Knights Temple at Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu.

There will be a condolence visit by in-laws, friends and well-wishers on Friday, while thanksgiving service will occur at Madonna Catholic Church, Agulu on Sunday.

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[GIST] Taraba Youths Write Police Inspector-General, Demand Justice For Driver Shot Dead By Policeman

[GIST] Taraba Youths Write Police Inspector-General, Demand Justice For Driver Shot Dead By Policeman

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Taraba State Youths under the aegis of One Taraba Youth Coalition has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba over the gruesome murder of their colleague, Oliver Ezra Barawani by a police officer, Sgt Haruna Idi.

The group said Ezra was shot by Idi at a checkpoint at Jalingo Numan Road when he was driving the Chairman of Lau local government area on the 19th November, 2021. He was rushed to the hospital but died two days later. November 2021.

SaharaReporters had reported that Ezra was shot and killed by a police officer (Ida) for allegedly refusing to pay N50 bribe.

The police however denied the bribery allegation, saying Ezra was hit by accidental discharge, during a struggle with Sergeant Idi at a roadblock along Jalingo/Yola road. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Angry Youths Protest, Demand Justice For Colleague Killed By Policeman Over N50 Bribe In Taraba 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

The Spokesperson for the Taraba police command, DSP Usman Abdullahi, said the deceased had physically engaged the officer in a fisticuff.

According to Taraba youths, Idi must be charged to court for his murderous act. 

They noted that the checkpoint where Ezra was shot is notorious for heinous activities perpetrated by criminal Policemen, adding that it should be investigated. See Also Police Nigeria Police Arrest Officer Who Shot Driver Dead Over N50 Bribe In Taraba 0 Comments 18 Hours Ago

These requests are contained in a press statement by OTYC, signed by Rt. Comr. Philip Achagwa and Chief Comr. Daniel Gelle Kwanchi Esq, which was obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday.

In the letter sent to Taraba Governor, Darius Ishaku and copied to others, the youths said it is the responsibility of the government to protest lives and property and ensure victims of violence get justice. 

The letter further stated, “It is under these circumstances and with heavy hearts we write you today, urging for an independent investigation by Nigeria Police Force into the unimaginable and unconscionable MURDER OF MR. OLIVER EZRA BARAWANI, which our preliminary findings indicate that while he was driving his principal, the Executive Chairman of Lau Local Government Area of the State, one Sergent Haruna Idi of the Nigeria Police Force assigned on a 'beat' at a checkpoint along Jalingo Numan road, accused the deceased of violating instructions at the checkpoint.

“Having been approached by the Police orderly attached to the Chairman. The deceased and subsequently the chairman, it is our understanding that while everything seems to have been resolved and everyone in the vehicle was boarding, Sergent Haruna Idi then shot Mr Oliver Ezra from behind on 19th November 2021 where he passed away while on admission on 21st November, 2021.

“While Oliver's murder has gone viral and the murderer was arrested and still in police custody, we find it appalling, inhumane and grossly insensitive for it to be reported that the murder of Oliver Ezra was as a result of police brutality.

“Mr. Oliver Ezra Barawani was a young graduate with a promising future. Well talented, disciplined, calm and selfless in all commitments we met with the family, friends and the chairman of Lau local government area to find their own assessment of the late Oliver Ezra Barawani. People confirmed that he was a reserved fellow, that hardly joined issues with anybody. Therefore, it is not normal for a man who is saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property to take human life without justification.

“Furthermore, it is on record that the act of police brutality at that particular checkpoint is too inhuman of the Nigeria Police Force.

“We knew that the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of IG Alkali has done great exploits in the area of crime detection and control where skilled and honest officers are doing this country proud. The Nigeria Police Force have intercepted various syndicates of high-classed criminals who have proved to live above the law before; they were not arrested and brought to book, but justice was given to their victims.

“However, due to prior incident of negligence, concealment of facts and numerous conflicts, we are far from confident that true justice will be served in this case without the intervention of the Inspector General of Police, whose sincerity of propose has transformed the Nigerian Police to a world-class security outfit within the shortest possible time of his assumption to office. With the circumstances of death, we demand that the IG should direct and prosecute Sergent Haruna Idi to court. This will end the circle of crimes and police brutality. 

“Finally, the unity and strength of our dear state pride as 'Natures gift to the Nations' stands on the unshakable foundations that there will be equity and justice for everyone in Taraba state, indigene or non-indigene, resident or visitor, male or female, old or young, whatever your tribe, religion or political affiliation, justice for Oliver Ezra will be justice for all.”

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[GIST] Car Bombing Near School In Somalia Capital Kills Five, Many Students Injured

[GIST] Car Bombing Near School In Somalia Capital Kills Five, Many Students Injured

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A large explosion rocked the Somali capital during rush hour damaging a nearby school and a hospital. It is the latest attack by jihadist Al-Shabab group in the troubled country.

At least five people were killed and 23 wounded in a car bombing near a school in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Thursday, according to security officials. 

Many students were among those injured. The bomb went off early morning during rush hour, triggering a plume of smoke that rose from the blast site amid gunfire, AFP and Reuters report. 

Islamist group Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, just days after an attack on Saturday that killed prominent Somali journalist Abdiaziz Mohamud Guled.

The target of the bombing was a passing United Nations convoy, the Al-Qaeda-linked group’s military spokesperson told news agency Reuters.

The explosion, which took place in the heart of the capital, was so large that walls of the nearby Mucassar primary and secondary school collapsed and cars were left mangled.

"We were shaken by the blast pressure, then deafened by the gunfire that followed," said Mohamed Hussein, a nurse at the nearby Osman Hospital, told the Reuters news agency. "Our hospital walls collapsed. Opposite us is a school that also collapsed. I do not know how many died."

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[GIST] US Courts Jails Nigerian Mechanic For Defrauding 10 Banks, To Return N48million

[GIST] US Courts Jails Nigerian Mechanic For Defrauding 10 Banks, To Return N48million

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A Nigerian man in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, United States whose lawyer said his criminal cohorts in Africa "took advantage" of him is headed to federal prison for his role in an identity theft scheme in which conspirators tricked 10 banks into sending duplicate debit and credit cards, then used them to buy merchandise for resale in Nigeria.

 

US District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan sentenced Sulemon Arowokoko, 32, to 3½ years behind bars, Nigeria Abroad reports. 

Arowokoko and another Nigerian man, Samiat Akinyemi, were indicted in 2020 on charges of conspiracy, access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.

 

Arowokoko pleaded guilty in June.

 

He admitted that he was part of a conspiracy to steal the identity of bank customers to get duplicate debit and credit cards in the customers' names. The criminal group then used the cards to buy more than $250,000 worth of gift cards, clothes, perfume, jewelry, and furniture. Arowokoko shipped some of the items back to Nigeria.

 

Assistant US Attorney Jeff Bengel said the theft ring was sophisticated. One member used personal information from a victim and contacted the person's bank to "hijack their account."

 

Once inside, the group asked for new bank cards to be issued in the person's name and sent to an address connected to the conspiracy. One of those addresses was Arowokoko's house in Pittsburgh; a second was a house where he had previously worked as a home health care aide.

From the fall of 2017 to the summer of 2019, when the US Department of Homeland Security raided Arowokoko's house, he used the cards hundreds of times to buy merchandise.

 

"This is not a case where Arowokoko strayed into criminal conduct as the result of a momentary lapse in judgment," Mr. Bengel said. "Instead, Arowokoko systematically broke the law for almost two full years."

 

The fraud caused losses to dozens of customers at numerous banks and financial institutions.

 

"The result of the fraud was a clear benefit to Arowokoko: Reselling merchandise abroad is more profitable if it is bought in the first instance with someone else’s money," Mr. Bengel said.

 

Arowokoko only stopped when federal agents caught him.

 

His lawyer, Robert Carey Jr., asked for leniency, saying Arowokoko merely used the cards but wasn't the one who duped the banks into providing them or stole people's identities.

 

He said Arowokoko was born in Nigeria in 1989 and came to the US when he was 19, first to Rhode Island and then to Pittsburgh in 2011, and is a trained mechanic and nurse with no criminal past until now.

 

 

 

Mr. Carey said the criminal operation originated in Nigeria, where American goods are in demand and fraud schemes are common, pointing out that the FBI maintains a website dedicated to Nigerian "419" schemes. The number refers to the Nigerian crimes code.

 

"Sulemon's connections in Africa took advantage of him," Mr. Carey said. "Initially, Mr. Arowokoko was sending legitimately purchased American goods to contacts in Africa. Unfortunately, the arrangement slipped into criminal activity. Mr. Arowokoko was provided with third-party credit cards that he used to make unauthorized purchases. His role in the offense was limited to entering stores and making transactions."

 

He asked for no more than 36 months for his client.

 

But the judge imposed a term of 44 months and ordered Arowokoko to pay $116,000 (approximately N48 million) in restitution.

 

Akinyemi, the other Nigerian man already indicted, pleaded guilty in September and is awaiting sentencing. 

 

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