society
Fake EFCC Operative Sent To Jail
Fake EFCC Operative Sent To Jail
Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, convicted and sentenced one Ume Ifechukwu Clinton, who defrauded a Belgian educator and caregiver, Axelle Mahieu, of the sum of €45,000 (Forty-five Thousand Euros) in a well-orchestrated online fraud, to one year imprisonment.
Clinton, 30, was arraigned on February 22, 2023 on an amended three-count charge bordering on possession of fraudulent documents and impersonation.
However, overwhelmed by the weight of the evidence gathered against him, Clinton had approached the prosecution for a plea bargain, thereby necessitating the need for the amended charge.
One of the amended counts reads: “That you, Ifechukwu Clinton Ume, on the 18th of October 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession a document containing false pretence: “EFCC ID card with EFCC logo, your picture, your name and with a staff number 1069″, used to defraud Mahieu Axelle of cryptocurrency worth 45,000 Euros, which document you knew to be false.”
Another count reads: “That you, Ifechukwu Clinton Ume, on the 19th of October 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession a document containing false pretence: “WhatsApp correspondences, wherein you held yourself with a fictitious identity, Petrous, a crypto investment expert”, used to defraud Mahieu Axelle of cryptocurrency worth 45,000 euros, which document you knew to be false.”
He pleaded “guilty” to all the counts.
Following his guilty plea, counsel for the EFCC, Bilikisu Buhari, called a witness, Damilare Adeosun, an investigative officer with the EFCC, who testified against the defendant, and through whom several documents were tendered in evidence against him.
Led in evidence by Buhari, Adeosun, who took part in the investigation, narrated how the EFCC had acted on an intelligence report from the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, FIJ, indicating that Clinton disguised as an EFCC officer to defraud the Belgian.
According to him, Mahieu was deceived into believing that Clinton was an operative of the EFCC, after he deceived her with a purported EFCC ID card that she never knew was fake.
“The defendant presented himself to be a staff of EFCC and introduced her to non-existing cryptocurrency investment, while assuring her that she is in safe hands,” he said.
Clinton, he said, had gone into hiding and investigators had to deploy the use of technology to smoke him out on October 18, 2022 at No 46 Atoke Gbadebo Street, Isheri, Lagos.
“During the course of his arrest, the fake ID card was recovered from him along with several expensive wrist watches and a bundle of cash totalling about N150,000,” he said.
He testified further that the defendant volunteered his statement under interrogation by operatives, and also confessed to the alleged crime.
“He admitted that he made the forged ID card in Owerri, with N3, 000, in order to gain the trust of the victim,” he further told the court.
The witness added that investigation confirmed that Clinton transferred money received from his victim through cryptocurrency to his own Binance account and exchanged same through p2p, crediting same in Naira to his bank accounts in Nigeria.
“He depleted all the money using the same to buy expensive wrist watches, a piece of land for clubbing, and also sharing with random friends.
“But he never used any for cryptocurrency investment, as he promised his victim,” he said.
The prosecution then tendered in evidence the intelligence report; correspondences between the EFCC and the various banks, where he transferred the money to; fraudulent documents from his email; fraudulent documents from his WhatsApp conversations with his victim; correspondence with the EFCC’s Human Resources Department at the EFCC Headquarters Abuja, confirming that the said ID card was fake; the search warrant, and the statements made by the defendant under interrogation.
They were all admitted as exhibits against the defendant.
Consequently, Justice Dada declared him guilty as charged.
His counsel, Adenike Goncalves, however, pleaded passionately with the court to temper justice with mercy and to give the convict a second chance.
Justice Dada, thereafter, sentenced him to one year in prison.
Items recovered from him were also ordered forfeited and to be sold as part of restitution to the victim.
The convict was also ordered to restitute the €45,000 to the victim within three months.
He was also ordered to enter into a bond with the EFCC, upon his release, that he will never again engage in criminal activity within or outside the shores of the country.
The court gave him an option of fine of N500, 000, in lieu of his prison term, “in view of his obvious remorse, timeous plea and the passionate plea of his counsel.”
TY BURATAI HUMANITY CARE FOUNDATION CONDOLES WITH BIU EMIRATE OVER TRAGIC ATTACK
In a profound expression of sorrow, the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation has extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the entire people of Biu Emirate, Borno State, following the recent tragic attack attributed to Boko Haram. This devastating assault, which occurred at a work site in northeastern Nigeria, claimed the lives of dozens, including brave soldiers committed to protecting the nation.
In a statement released to the press and signed by the Chairman of the foundation, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, the Grand Patron of the Foundation, His Excellency Amb. Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai CFR (Rtd), former Chief of Army Staff, described the incident as “one too many senseless, barbaric, and ruthless displays of inhumanity.” His Excellency emphasized the heartbreaking impact of such attacks on innocent, hardworking citizens striving to make a positive difference in their communities.
The Grand Patron praised the swift and decisive response of military personnel during this critical time, underscoring their brave commitment to safeguarding the nation. He called upon them to maintain this momentum, commending their courage and sacrifice in the face of adversity. “May Almighty Allah forgive their souls and grant them Aljannah Firdouse,” he remarked, encouraging the nation to honor their spirit of sacrifice as they rally together to rebuild and restore hope across the region.
In his statement, Gen. Buratai highlighted the importance of collective action in overcoming the challenges posed by insecurity, urging concerned citizens to increase their efforts in fostering a virile community that future generations can cherish. “Together, we can surmount these troubles,” he asserted, calling on all patriotic leaders and citizens to unite in the fight against violence and insecurity.
The TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote peace, security, unity, and prosperity. As the foundation extends its condolences to the bereaved, it also calls upon all segments of society to collaborate in creating a better and safer future. May Allah guide and protect the nation and lead it toward enduring peace. Amen.
society
Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang Appointed Secretary General to the Government of UKA (Worldwide)
Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang Appointed Secretary General to the Government of UKA (Worldwide)*
January 29, 2026 – A prestigious appointment has been announced in the reign of Emperor Solomon Wining 1st, recognizing Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang as the *Secretary General to the Government of UKA (Worldwide)*. The official certificate, designated STE.001-1 E, was presented to Rt Hon Inyang during a ceremonial investiture.
As Secretary General, Rt Hon Treasure Edwin Inyang will *monitor and coordinate* the implementation of government policies and programmes, serve as an advisory institution to the Government, drive policy formulation, harmonization, and implementation, and oversee the activities of ministries, agencies, and departments.
The appointment was proclaimed by *Emperor Prof. Dr. Solomon Wining*, Emperor of the United Kingdom of Atlantics and Empire Worldwide, and co-signed by *Empress Prof. Dr. Sriwan Kingjun*, Empress of Attica Empire, under the auspices of the 5 Billions Humanitarian Projects Incorporated.
The ceremony underscores the commitment to strengthening governance and humanitarian initiatives within the UKA (Worldwide) jurisdiction, effective immediately in the reign of Emperor Solomon Wining 1st.
GENERAL BULAMA BIU MOURNS BOKO HARAM VICTIMS, CALLS FOR UNITY AND RENEWED EFFORTS FOR PEACE
In a solemn message of condolence and resolve, Major General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu mni (Rtd), the Sarkin Yakin of Biu Emirate, has expressed profound grief over a recent deadly attack by Boko Haram insurgents on citizens at a work site. The attack, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives, has been condemned as a senseless and barbaric act of inhumanity.
The revered traditional and military leader extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, the entire people of Biu Emirate, Borno State, and all patriotic Nigerians affected by the tragedy. He described the victims as “innocent, peaceful, hardworking and committed citizens,” whose lives were tragically cut short.
General Biu lamented that the assault represents “one too many” such ruthless attacks, occurring at a time when communities are already engaged in immense personal and collective sacrifices to support government efforts in rebuilding devastated infrastructure and restoring hope.
In his statement, he offered prayers for the departed, saying, “May Almighty Allah forgive their souls and grant them Aljannan Firdaus.” He further urged the living to be encouraged by and uphold the spirit of sacrifice demonstrated by the victims.
Emphasizing the need for collective action, the retired Major General called on all citizens to redouble their efforts in building a virile community that future generations can be proud of. He specifically commended the “silent efforts” of some patriotic leaders working behind the scenes to end the security menace and encouraged all well-meaning Nigerians to join the cause for a better society.
“Together we can surmount the troubles,” he asserted, concluding with a prayer for divine intervention: “May Allah guide and protect us, free us from this terrible situation and restore an enduring peace, security, unity and prosperity. Amin.”
The statement serves as both a poignant tribute to the fallen and a clarion call for national solidarity in the face of persistent security challenges.
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