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Tag: Chicago

  • JUST IN: Tribunal receives Chicago University, NYSC certificates in PDP’s case against Tinubu

    JUST IN: Tribunal receives Chicago University, NYSC certificates in PDP’s case against Tinubu

    The Presidential Election Petitions Court has accepted certified copies of President Bola Tinubu’s academic and work records, submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    The documents presented as evidence include President Tinubu’s B.Sc certificate from Chicago State University, his NYSC Discharge Certificate, and a certificate of service from Mobil Nigeria Oil Plc.

    During the court proceedings, PDP’s subpoenaed witness, Mike Enahoro Ebah Esq, revealed detail about these documents. He pointed out that Tinubu purportedly obtained them, but surprisingly, they bore the name ‘Bola Adekunle Tinubu’.

    Led by PDP counsel Chris Uche (SAN), the witness also submitted forms EC13 and EC9, which are nomination forms, along with letters addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as supporting attachments.

    However, the admissibility of these documents faced objections from the legal representatives of INEC, counsel to President Tinubu, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), and the APC, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

    Details later

     

  • Hushpuppi arraigned in Chicago, faces another charge in Los Angeles

    Hushpuppi arraigned in Chicago, faces another charge in Los Angeles

    Nigerian international fraudster, Raymond Hushpuppi faces many years in American jail after he was charged in Chicago today with conspiracy to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from business email compromise (BEC) frauds and other scams.

    He was also charged with executing schemes targeting a U.S. law firm, a foreign bank and an English Premier League soccer club.

    Chicago is Hushpuppi’s first court appearance. Next, he will be charged in Los Angeles California for similar crimes.

    Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, 37, a.k.a. “Ray Hushpuppi” and “Hush,” arrived in Chicago Thursday evening after being expelled from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    Abbas made his initial U.S. court appearance this morning in Chicago, and he is expected to be transferred to Los Angeles in the coming weeks.

    The affidavit alleges that Abbas and others committed a BEC scheme that defrauded a client of a New York-based law firm out of approximately $922,857 in October 2019.

    Abbas and co-conspirators allegedly tricked one of the law firm’s paralegals into wiring money intended for the client’s real estate refinancing to a bank account that was controlled by Abbas and the co-conspirators.

    The affidavit also alleges that Abbas conspired to launder funds stolen in a $14.7 million cyber-heist from a foreign financial institution in February 2019, in which the stolen money was sent to bank accounts around the world.

    Abbas allegedly provided a co-conspirator with two bank accounts in Europe that Abbas anticipated each would receive €5 million (about $5.6 million) of the fraudulently obtained funds.

    Abbas and others further conspired to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from other fraudulent schemes and computer intrusions, including one scheme to steal £100 million (approximately $124 million) from an English Premier League soccer club, the complaint alleges.

    Here is the statement by California Department of Justice:

    Abbas was arrested last month by UAE law enforcement officials. FBI special agents earlier this week obtained custody of Abbas and brought him to the United States to face a charge of conspiring to engage in money laundering that is alleged in a criminal complaint filed on June 25 by federal prosecutors in Los Angeles.

    According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Abbas maintains social media accounts that frequently showed him in designer clothes, wearing expensive watches, and posing in or with luxury cars and charter jets. “The FBI’s investigation has revealed that Abbas finances this opulent lifestyle through crime, and that he is one of the leaders of a transnational network that facilitates computer intrusions, fraudulent schemes (including BEC schemes), and money laundering, targeting victims around the world in schemes designed to steal hundreds of millions of dollars,” according to the affidavit.

    The affidavit describes BEC schemes as often involving a computer hacker gaining unauthorized access to a business’ email account, blocking or redirecting communications to and/or from that email account, and then using the compromised email account or a separate fraudulent email account to communicate with personnel from a victim company and to attempt to trick them into making an unauthorized wire transfer.

    “BEC schemes are one of the most difficult cybercrimes we encounter as they typically involve a coordinated group of con artists scattered around the world who have experience with computer hacking and exploiting the international financial system,” said United States Attorney Nick Hanna. “This case targets a key player in a large, transnational conspiracy who was living an opulent lifestyle in another country while allegedly providing safe havens for stolen money around the world. As this case demonstrates, my office will continue to hold such criminals accountable, no matter where they live.”

    “In 2019 alone, the FBI recorded $1.7 billion in losses by companies and individuals victimized through business email compromise scams, the type of scheme Mr. Abbas is charged with conducting from abroad,” said Paul Delacourt, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “While this arrest has effectively taken a major alleged BEC player offline, BEC scams represent the most financially costly type of scheme reported to the FBI. I urge anyone who transfers funds personally or on behalf of a company to educate themselves about BEC so they can identify this insidious scheme before losing sizable amounts of money.”

    “This was a challenging case, one that spanned international boundaries, traditional financial systems and the digital sphere,” said Jesse Baker, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Los Angles Field Office. “Technology has essentially erased geographic boundaries leaving trans-national criminal syndicates to believe that they are beyond the reach of law enforcement. The success in this case was the direct result of our trusted partnerships between the Department of Justice and our federal law enforcement colleagues. These partnerships helped dismantle a sophisticated organized crime group who preyed upon unsuspecting businesses. It is thanks to these partnerships that the American people can feel a bit more secure today.”

    The affidavit alleges that Abbas and others committed a BEC scheme that defrauded a client of a New York-based law firm out of approximately $922,857 in October 2019. Abbas and co-conspirators allegedly tricked one of the law firm’s paralegals into wiring money intended for the client’s real estate refinancing to a bank account that was controlled by Abbas and the co-conspirators.

    The affidavit also alleges that Abbas conspired to launder funds stolen in a $14.7 million cyber-heist from a foreign financial institution in February 2019, in which the stolen money was sent to bank accounts around the world. Abbas allegedly provided a co-conspirator with two bank accounts in Europe that Abbas anticipated each would receive €5 million (about $5.6 million) of the fraudulently obtained funds.

    Abbas and others further conspired to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from other fraudulent schemes and computer intrusions, including one scheme to steal £100 million (approximately $124 million) from an English Premier League soccer club, the complaint alleges.

    A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    If convicted of conspiracy to engage in money laundering, Abbas would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

    The FBI led the investigation of Abbas, and the United States Secret Service was also involved and provided substantial assistance. The FBI further thanks the government of the United Arab Emirates and the Dubai Police Department for their substantial assistance.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anil J. Antony and Joseph B. Woodring of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in this matter.

  • Gunman kills four, injures one in Chicago

    Gunman kills four, injures one in Chicago

    Chicago police said four of the five people critically injured by a gunman on Saturday died. One is still critically injured.

    The shooting occurred at an apartment building on Chicago’s Northwest Side,around 5,30 pm police said.

    The shooter, a 67 year-old man has been arrested.

    First Deputy Superintendent Anthony Riccio said the man has a history of issues with his neighbors.

    Riccio said the man first went into an apartment and shot three men and a woman as they ate dinner. The man then went to a separate unit in the building and shot another woman. Police say one victim is in critical condition.

    A weapon was recovered. Riccio said the man had a history of complaints from other residents but investigators “don’t know what set him off.”

    So far, five persons have been killed and 12 have been injured in shootings across Chicago so far this weekend, police said.

    In the second deadly shooting of the weekend, a 30-year-old man was fatally shot on Saturday evening in the 7500 block of South Dobson, according to police. The victim and a 30-year-old woman were reportedly sitting in a vehicle when two men approached them and fired shots, NBC Chicago reported.

    The female victim sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh, and went to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition. The male victim suffered a gunshot wound to the head, and died at the scene. Detectives were investigating as of Saturday night.

    Here are the other shootings that have happened as of Saturday night, according to NBC

    Friday –

    – At approximately 8:38 p.m., a 30-year-old man was shot while on the sidewalk in the 4600 block of West Barry, according to Chicago police. The victim said two unknown men exited a vehicle and fired shots. The victim sustained one gunshot wound to the back, and was transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital in stable condition.

    Saturday –

    – A 23-year-old woman was shot while riding in a vehicle at approximately 1:51 a.m. in the 1700 block of West 51st, police said. The victim was shot by an unknown man who was walking nearby. The victim was driven to a nearby fire station, and went to the University of Chicago Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the face. The victim was reported to be in serious condition, according to police.

    – In the 8200 block of South Peoria at approximately 1:50 a.m., a 40-year-old man was shot in the lower backside while walking, police confirmed. The suspect said he didn’t see the offender or know where the shots came from. He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in stable condition.

    – At approximately 5:52 a.m. in the 1600 block of South California, police discovered a 17-year-old boy who had been shot after responding to a ShotSpotter Alert, police said

    The victim sustained gunshot wounds to both legs, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition.

    – A 19-year-old man was shot at approximately 2:46 p.m. in the 1000 block of North Springfield, police said. The victim sustained a graze wound to his lower left leg, and refused medical attention.

    – At approximately 3:56 p.m. in the 400 block of North Mayfield, a 22-year-old woman was shot by an offender driving a dark-colored vehicle, police said. The victim was shot in the left knee during an argument with the suspect, and went to Mount Sinai Hospital in stable condition. Police recovered a weapon from the scene.

    – In the 5100 block of West Division at approximately 5:13 p.m., a 36-year-old man was shot while standing in a funeral home’s parking lot, according to police. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh, and was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in stable condition.

    – A 26-year-old man and 14-year-old boy were shot at approximately 5:54 p.m. while walking in the 8600 block of South Elizabeth, according to police. An unknown offender approached the victims from behind, and fired shots at both of them. The 26-year-old man was last reported to be in good condition while the 14-year-old boy was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in stable condition.

    – At approximately 6:39 p.m., a 24-year-old man was shot while at a park in the 10400 block of South Green, police said. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, and was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in good condition.

  • Jussie Smolett: Chicago sues actor over costs of investigating alleged attack

    The city of Chicago filed a lawsuit on Thursday against Jussie Smollett seeking three times the damages it said it incurred in the investigation of a hate crime that authorities allege the “Empire” actor staged.

    The lawsuit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court over two weeks after prosecutors dismissed the criminal charges against Smollett alleging he made-up the Jan. 29 attack.

    Chicago officials previously said they would sue Smollett after he refused a demand by the city for $130,000 to cover police overtime costs to investigate the actor’s claims.

    The lawsuit said Chicago would seek “three times the amount of the damages the city sustained.”

    The actor’s criminal defense attorney, Mark Geragos, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Geragos, who in the past has represented celebrities such as Michael Jackson, previously said Smollett “will not be intimidated into paying the demanded sum.”

    Smollett, 36, who is black and gay, ignited a firestorm on social media by telling police on Jan. 29 that two apparent supporters of President Donald Trump struck him, put a noose around his neck and poured bleach over him while yelling racist and homophobic insults on a Chicago street.

    After weeks of investigation, Chicago police determined that Smollett cooked up the scheme — in which they allege he hired two brothers to pose as his attackers — because he was dissatisfied with his salary on “Empire.”

    Smollett, best known for his role on the Twentieth Century Fox Television hip-hop drama, has said he has always been truthful about the incident.

    He was charged in February with staging the incident and filing an untrue police report, but Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office prosecutors dropped all charges against him in March.

    Outgoing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel described the decision as “a whitewash of justice.”

    Smollett admitted no wrongdoing, but agreed to do community service and give up $

    $10,000 in bond money.

     

  • Why we restrained passenger, 71, during flight to Chicago – Emirates Airline

    Emirates Airline has explained why a 71-year-old passenger, David Ukesone, was restrained on its flight from Dubai to Chicago.

    The airline said Ukesone forced his way into another passengers’s seat.

    Recall that Ukesone had earlier given an account of how he was maltreated on board an Emirate flight to Chicago.

    However, the airline, in an official statement on Wednesday, said : “Emirates can confirm that Mr Ukesone was a passenger on flight EK235 from Dubai to Chicago on 23 January, and that he had to be restrained by cabin crew due to unruly behaviour during the flight.

    “Despite the best efforts of our crew to intervene and reason with him, Mr. Ukesone repeatedly disturbed other passengers, refused to remain in his assigned seat, and forced his way into another cabin class.

    “He also assaulted crew and bit another passenger. As a consequence he was restrained by our crew. Our cabin crew are highly trained to ensure the safety and security of our passengers, and constantly monitored Mr. Ukesone’s welfare throughout the flight. The safety and security of our passengers and crew is of the utmost importance and will not be compromised.

    “Upon arrival at the airport, the passenger was handed over to the authorities in Chicago. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the other passengers on the flight for their understanding, in particular the individuals who had assisted our crew during the flight.”