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Two Nigerians, Four Others Face 62 Years in U.S. Prison Over $50M Fraud Allegations

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Two Nigerians, Four Others Face 62 Years in U.S. Prison Over $50M Fraud Allegations

Two Nigerians, Four Others Face 62 Years in U.S. Prison Over $50M Fraud Allegations

 

Two Nigerians, Solomon Aluko and Nosakhare Nobore, alongside four other individuals, are facing the possibility of 62 years in prison each after being arraigned before a New York court on allegations of defrauding the United States government of $50 million.

According to court documents obtained from the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) website, the accused were charged with multiple financial crimes, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the government, and aggravated identity theft.

The suspects reportedly carried out the fraudulent scheme between March 2020 and March 2025 across various locations in the United States, including the Southern District of New York.

The charge sheet reveals that the accused individuals allegedly stole personal information and identities of individuals and businesses, using them to open fraudulent bank accounts. These accounts were then used to deposit fake, stolen, and fraudulently obtained cheques from various U.S. government agencies.

Once the funds were deposited, they were either withdrawn in cash or transferred to other accounts controlled by the syndicate. The court documents indicate that the group attempted to steal $80 million in total but successfully deposited around $50 million before authorities intervened.

Additionally, the suspects reportedly created a “fraud bible” containing detailed instructions on how each member of the syndicate should operate. Investigators also discovered that the syndicate used a Telegram group to coordinate their fraudulent activities in real time.

U.S. law enforcement agencies have condemned the alleged fraudulent activities of the suspects.

FBI Acting Assistant Director, Leslie R. Backschies, described the operation as a multi-year scheme aimed at exploiting the American financial system.

“These six defendants allegedly used sham businesses, stolen, and fake identities to operate a multi-year cheque fraud scheme, resulting in $50 million in illicit funds being deposited into their accounts. The defendants brazenly attempted to exploit multiple United States government programs in their attempts to illegally enrich themselves,” Backschies stated.

Similarly, U.S. IRS Special Agent Harry Chavis criticized the accused for targeting public assistance programs meant for the vulnerable.

“This group of suspects openly communicated about their fraud, taking pride in the multiple schemes that stole nearly $50 million from the American public. They lied and cheated a benefits system meant to help struggling businesses, while also stealing cheques from agencies that assist the elderly and veterans. This gang of ‘bag hunters’ will now face justice for multiple charges.”

The accused individuals, who were named in the indictment, include:

  • Solomon Aluko (29) – Hackensack, New Jersey

  • Nosakhare Nobore (29) – Edgewater, New Jersey

  • Anand (34) – Queens, New York

  • Pappas (28) – Miami, Florida

  • Ujkic (44) – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

  • Gonzalez (28) – North Bergen, New Jersey

Each suspect faces up to 62 years in prison if convicted of all charges, which include:

  • Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud (30 years)

  • Conspiracy to commit money laundering (20 years)

  • Conspiracy to defraud the government (10 years)

  • Aggravated identity theft (mandatory 2 years)

While the charges against the defendants are serious, the U.S. Department of Justice has emphasized that they remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

“The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided for informational purposes only. Any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge,” the DoJ statement clarified.

The indictment of Aluko, Nobore, and their alleged co-conspirators highlights ongoing efforts by U.S. law enforcement to crack down on financial fraud. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case is expected to attract significant attention, particularly given the staggering amount of money involved.

If convicted, the six suspects could spend decades behind bars for their alleged crimes.

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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THIS MUFTWANG HAS MUCH TO LEARN by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode

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PRESIDENT IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA: AN IRREPRESIBLE ENIGMA AND ENDURING INSTITUTION by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.

THIS MUFTWANG HAS MUCH TO LEARN by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode

 

Caleb Muftwang, the Governor of Plateau, made a grave mistake by hosting the Ambassador of Israel, an ethno-fascist, genocidal, child-killing, terrorist & apartheid nation in his state. I watched the show of shame & almost threw up.

 

As a Christian how does this Muftwang feel about receiving mass murderers, ethnic cleansers & religious bigots in his official residence?

 

 

More importantly, as a human being, how can he sleep at night after doing this?

 

 

Outside of that does he not know about the role that Israel & her strongest allies are playing in the killings in the North & even in his own state?

 

 

 

Does he not know who is really behind the terrorists that have plagued our nation both North & South?

 

 

Does he not know who is really benefiting from the carnage & land-grabbing?

 

Does he not know that their objective is to plunge us into a civil & religious war whilst they pick up the pieces?

 

 

 

Someone tell him to ask his Zionist friends who created, founded, funds and arms ISIS, ISWAP, Boko Haram, Al Shabab, Al Qaeda & virtually every other terrorist organisation in the world.

 

 

Tell him to ask them who uses these evil forces to divide, destabilise & destroy the foreign nations which they seek to control & dominate.

 

 

 

Tell him to ask them why none of the terrorist organisations mentioned above have EVER attacked Israel or targetted the Israelis?

 

 

Tell him to ask them who funded and sold arms to the Biafrans more than anyone else during our civil war.

 

 

 

 

Tell him to ask them how African Jews from Ethiopia (known as the Falashas) that are seeking to become Israeli nationals are treated in the Zionist state and how they are subjected to and injected with strange and toxic chemicals in order to prevent them from having children and “contaminating” the white/European bloodline of the non-semitic Ashkazi Jews that rule that dark and accursed country.

 

 

 

 

Receiving the emissary of an insensitive & callous beast, a bloodthirsty tyrant, a feral psychopath & a delusional meglomaniac like Bibi Netanyahu & showering accolades on him is an insult to the martyred women & children of Gaza & a big slap on the face of those that are fighting Israeli occupation in Palestine.

 

 

Worst still in doing so the Governor has inflicted a deep spiritual wound on himself & his Government.

 

 

Bringing a Jewish snake into your house will not help you to solve your problems in Plateau state no matter what they promise to do for you: it will only make them worse.

 

 

As they say, “beware of the Greeks, especially when they bring gifts!” The Trojans learnt this lesson the hard way! Let us hope the same fate does not befall you.

 

Meanwhile did your guest tell you that they spit on Christians in his country?

 

 

 

Did he tell you that according to their holy book known as the Talmud, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was a liar and a rogue and is now burning in hell whilst swimming in a pool of human faeces?

 

 

 

Did he tell you that they discriminate against both Christians and Muslims and that they detain and slaughter them like flies?

 

 

 

 

I learnt that the day after he left Plateau state no less than 100 more people were killed by the terrorists: why am I not surprised?

 

 

 

This Muftwang has much to learn!

 

 

(Chief Femi Fani-Kayode is the Sadaukin Shinkafi, the Wakilin Doka Potiskum, the Otunba Joga Orile, a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, a former Ministerof Aviation and a former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Olusegun Obasanjo)

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Panic in Lagos as Beheaded Body, Second Corpse Found in Idimu

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Panic in Lagos as Beheaded Body, Second Corpse Found in Idimu

Panic in Lagos as Beheaded Body, Second Corpse Found in Idimu

Tension enveloped the Idimu area of Lagos State on Sunday following the gruesome discovery of two lifeless male bodies, one of which was found beheaded along Oladun Road.

The chilling discovery, made in the early hours of Sunday morning, drew a crowd of shocked residents and passersby, many of whom gathered at the scene in disbelief. The bodies, which were lying several meters apart, were believed to have been killed late Saturday night.

One of the victims was identified by residents as “Baba Oja,” a well-known figure in the community. “We woke up to see their lifeless bodies on the road this morning. We cannot immediately identify the one with a severed head but the other person is Baba Oja. He was popular and often seen directing traffic for flashy cars at the Council bus stop,” said Lanre Ajao, a resident.

Another local, Jamiu Raji, pointed to signs of a targeted killing, suggesting possible cult-related violence. “This wasn’t just a random fight. The nature of the killings points to a cult attack. Things like this don’t usually happen here, which is why everyone is shaken.”

The second victim was later identified as another community member, though his name remained unknown at the time of this report.

Residents also expressed concern over the delayed response from authorities. The corpses reportedly remained unattended for nearly ten hours before police operatives arrived at the scene.

Adding to the tension, a resident who requested anonymity alleged that families of the deceased were forced to pay money before being allowed to retrieve the bodies.

Efforts to reach the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful. Calls and messages went unanswered as of the time of filing this report.

The incident has reignited fears of renewed cult clashes in Lagos, reminiscent of similar recent killings in Mushin and the Lantoro area of Abeokuta, believed to be linked to long-standing rivalry between the Aiye and Eiye confraternities.

As investigations continue, the community is left grappling with fear and unanswered questions over the brutal killings.

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Barrister Olakunle Afolabi Joins NASRE As Legal Adviser

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Barrister Olakunle Afolabi Joins NASRE As Legal Adviser

 

The Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE) has officially appointed Barrister Olakunle Afolabi, Esq. as its new Legal Adviser.

In a letter addressed to the Lagos-based lawyer, NASRE commended Afolabi’s legal brilliance and steadfast commitment, especially for his fearless defense of four journalists in their recent legal battle against Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO).

Barrister Olakunle Afolabi Joins NASRE As Legal Adviser

“Your performance reminded us that integrity still breathes within Nigeria’s legal system,” the association stated.

In response, Afolabi expressed gratitude and pledged to serve NASRE with a sense of duty that transcends financial compensation.

Barrister Olakunle Afolabi Joins NASRE As Legal Adviser

“I am truly honoured by this trust. My service to NASRE will be guided not by monetary gain, but by a deep commitment to press freedom, justice, and the rule of law,” he said.

The President, NASRE, Mr. Femi Oyewale applauded the legal luminary for his acceptance to be the Legal Adviser for the association, noting that, the group didn’t take this gesture for granted.

Stating that the group will leverage on his extensive knowledge of the law, to carry out its civic duties legally and professionally, he assured him NASRE support to ensure he excel in this role.

Afolabi, principal at Kunle Afolabi Legal Practitioners, is widely known for his constitutional expertise and advocacy for human rights. His portfolio includes work with Huawei, MTN, Dangote Agrosacks, and notable pro bono service with Avocats Sans Frontières.

NASRE described him as a “fearless defender of human rights” whose legal mind and moral compass align with the association’s mission to defend media freedom and protect journalists.

With Afolabi now on board one of the association’s legal adviser, NASRE says it is confident that its legal and ethical backbone are in the right hands.

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