Nigerian Woman in U.S. Faces 10 Years in Prison Over $40,980 Unemployment Fraud

A Nigerian woman residing in the United States, Funke Iyanda, is facing the possibility of a 10-year prison sentence after being indicted for fraudulently obtaining $40,980 in unemployment benefits.

According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) on Thursday, Iyanda, 43, who has no legal immigration status in the U.S., allegedly filed false claims using another person’s identity to receive pandemic unemployment assistance between May 2020 and May 2021.

Fraudulent Claims and Federal Charges

The DoJ revealed that Iyanda submitted falsified applications to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor, securing benefits she was not legally entitled to. A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has indicted her on one count of theft of government property.

“A Nigerian national residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of theft of government property,” the statement read.

The indictment alleges that from May 27, 2020, to May 24, 2021, she applied for and received nearly $41,000 in unemployment benefits despite lacking legal status to qualify for such aid.

Potential Sentence and Legal Consequences

If convicted, Iyanda faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000. However, the final sentence will depend on the severity of the offense and her prior criminal history, if any, as outlined in the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

“The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence would be based on the seriousness of the offense and the defendant’s prior criminal history,” the DoJ stated.

The authorities emphasized that an indictment is merely an allegation and that Iyanda remains innocent until proven guilty in court.

A Growing Trend of Financial Crimes

This case comes just weeks after another Nigerian-born U.S. resident, Professor Gordian Ndubizu, was sentenced to two years in prison for tax evasion. Ndubizu, along with his wife, was found guilty of concealing approximately $3.28 million in income from their pharmacy business, evading $1.25 million in taxes between 2014 and 2017.

As U.S. authorities continue to crack down on financial crimes, Iyanda’s case highlights the severe consequences of fraudulent activities, especially those involving government assistance programs.

Outrage as Widow Accuses Police of Killing 27-Year-Old Son in Niger State

Minna, Niger State – A tragic incident has sparked outrage and grief in the Angwa-Kaje area of Maitumbi, Minna, as a widow, Aisha Hassan, has accused operatives of the Niger State Police Command of killing her 27-year-old son, Sani Khalid, in cold blood.

The heart-wrenching event unfolded in the early hours of March 10, 2025, when Khalid stepped outside to get fresh air around 3 a.m. due to the hot weather. Moments later, a police patrol vehicle arrived, and within seconds, gunshots rang out. Aisha, a 45-year-old mother of nine who has been widowed for 11 years, recounted the chilling moment she found her son lifeless on a bench at a tea vendor’s shop.

“I Shook Him, But He Was Lifeless”

Narrating her ordeal to Arewa PUNCH, Aisha revealed how she heard the second gunshot and immediately sensed that someone had been shot. Running outside in search of her son, she found Khalid lying motionless.

“I shook him to wake him up, but he didn’t move. When I shook him again, he rolled down from the bench to the floor. That was when I screamed, realizing that the police had shot my son,” she wept.

Neighbors rushed to the scene and hurriedly transported Khalid to the hospital, where doctors confirmed his death.

An Unarmed Victim & Allegedly Drunk Officer

Eyewitnesses in the area claimed that Khalid was unarmed and posed no threat. One of them, identified as Ibrahim, said that the police officer who fired the shot appeared to be intoxicated and also attempted to shoot the tea vendor, who barely managed to escape.

“The policeman was drunk when he stepped down from the patrol van. He shot Khalid in the stomach while he was lying on the bench. He then tried to shoot the mai shai, but the vendor ran for his life. There was no fight, no unrest—nothing to warrant police intervention,” Ibrahim stated.

Residents condemned the killing, describing it as an act of sheer recklessness by the police. Khalid, a promising footballer and trader, was said to be the breadwinner of his family following the death of his father. His mother is now left grieving, with eight other children to care for.

Police Response: “It Was a Stray Bullet”

In response to the allegations, the Niger State Police Command, through its spokesman Wasiu Abiodun, admitted that Khalid was killed by police gunfire but described it as an “unfortunate stray bullet.”

According to Abiodun, the police patrol team was responding to a distress call about a group of youths allegedly causing unrest in the area. He claimed that when the police arrived, they were attacked with stones, prompting one officer to fire shots in an attempt to disperse the crowd.

“In a bid to disperse the boys, one of the patrol team members fired gunshots, and a stray bullet allegedly hit Sani Khalid in the stomach,” Abiodun stated.

He added that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Maitumbi has been directed to investigate the incident and identify the officer responsible for necessary disciplinary actions.

However, Abiodun remained silent on the allegations that the officer who fired the shot was under the influence of alcohol.

Demand for Justice

The killing of Khalid has ignited public outcry, with residents and human rights advocates calling for justice. Many have criticized the police’s handling of the situation and demanded an independent investigation to uncover the truth.

Meanwhile, Aisha Hassan remains inconsolable, calling on authorities to hold those responsible accountable. “Sani was all I had. Now they have taken him from me. They must bring back my son,” she sobbed.

As the nation watches, the people of Niger State wait for justice to be served.

Fire Outbreak Forces Temporary Shutdown of London’s Heathrow Airport

London’s Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, has been temporarily shut down following a fire outbreak that led to a major power outage. Airport authorities have warned of “significant disruption” over the coming days, with hundreds of flights canceled and thousands of passengers affected.

The fire, which was first reported at 11:23 p.m., caused a widespread power failure, impacting not just the airport but also nearby homes and businesses. London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne confirmed that firefighters were working under “challenging conditions” to contain the blaze and restore normal operations.

Flights Canceled, Passengers Stranded

In an official statement, Heathrow Airport authorities announced that the facility would remain closed until just before midnight on Friday, urging travelers to stay away from the airport until further notice.

“Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage,” the statement read. “Passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens.”

With Heathrow handling over 200,000 passengers daily, the closure has left thousands stranded and disrupted global travel schedules. Many airlines are scrambling to reroute flights and provide alternative travel arrangements.

Efforts to Restore Power Underway

Emergency crews are working closely with local authorities to restore power and minimize disruptions. However, the extent of the damage remains unclear, and travelers have been advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the situation develops.

Passengers scheduled to fly from Heathrow in the coming days are urged to check with their airlines and make alternative travel arrangements where necessary.