‘Amin’ singer, Dammy Krane back in 2017 was enmeshed in a credit card fraud that almost endangered his music career. Amazingly, the court struck out charges of credit card forgery, armed conspiracy and grand theft filed against him.
Reminiscing on his experience, the bubbly singer said the crisis prepared him for the next stage of his life.
“Everything we experience is to learn a lesson. When you are thrown a lemon you make a lemonade out of it. That is my situation right now. God was putting me through that for the next stage of my life”, he told TheNetng.
Krane was quick to acknowledge the role his mum played during the crisis.
“My mum was my backbone through my ordeal. She was calm and prayerful .The experience made us closer. She used to be my best friend, now she is my account manager, my everything”.
The singer also noted that though he was scared while the case was still in court, he knew God will not let him go down.
“ I knew God will let me go down just like that when I am innocent. I knew God was preparing me for something great”.
Tag: fraud
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Credit card fraud: I have learnt my lesson- Dammy Krane
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Update: Court remands Fayose in prison custody, bars ex-Gov. from traveling
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos has said former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose should be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfillment of his bail condition.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Fayose, who was asked to deposit his international passport with the court, was granted bail, in sum of N50 million in bond, after hearing of his bail application at his second appearance before the Lagos Federal High Court.
He was also asked to provide a surety who must have landed property in Lagos, and who must also have three-year tax clearance in Lagos.
Fayose, arraigned on Monday, in his first appearance before Justice Olatoregun, prosecution counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo, had pleaded the court that Fayose be remanded in prison custody pending a trial date.
Fayose, alongside his company, Spotless Limited, was arraigned on an 11-count charge bordering on fraud and money laundering to the tune of N2.2bn.
The former governor is facing trial in connection with N1.299 billion and $5.3 million allegedly allocated to him out of the N4.65 billion slush fund shared by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, through a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, according to an EFCC statement.
“Fayose acquired properties in some parts of Lagos and Abuja from the money, which was released for his 2014 governorship campaign,” EFCC alleges.
“That you, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and Mr. Abiodun Agbele (now facing another charge) on or about 17th June, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, took possession of the sum of N1, 219, 000, 000.00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Million Naira) to fund your 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State, which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4) of the same Act.”
“That you, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, on or about 17th June, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without going through the financial institution received cash payment in the sum of $5, 000, 000 (Five Million Dollars) from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, the then Minister of State for Defence, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 1 and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b) of the same Act,” EFCC counts read against Fayose in court on Monday.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. It was in view of his plea the prosecution counsel had asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
However, counsel to the defendant, Kanu Agabi, SAN, told the court that he had served a bail application on behalf of this client on the prosecution, and pleaded with the court to remand his client in the EFCC custody.
Consequently, Justice Olatoregun adjourned the case to October 24, 2018 for hearing of the bail application and ordered the defendant to be remanded in EFCC custody pending hearing of the bail application.
Following Fayose’s bail application hearing, Justice Olatoregun has said he should be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfillment of his bail condition.
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Fraud: Suspended NHIS boss resumes work, insists only Buhari can sack him
The Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf, who was suspended indefinitely by the governing council of the NHIS on Thursday, resumed work on Friday, ignoring the resolution of the council.
It was learnt that Yusuf resumed at the head office of the agency in Abuja around 10am to the surprise of members of staff.
In a memo with reference number NHIS/ES/091/1/192, signed by Yusuf and addressed to the chairman of the council, Dr Enyantu Ifenne, the Executive Secretary said only President Muhammadu Buhari could suspend him.
Citing sections 6, 7 and 8 of the NHIS Act, Yusuf said the council only had the powers to manage the scheme and other related activities, adding that he had not even been informed of the petitions written against him.
The memo read in part, “As you are aware, by virtue of Section 8 of the NHIS Act, my appointment, like yours, is at the instance of the President, while the council’s power of appointment is limited to directors and other employees of the scheme.
“It is, therefore, ultra vires or the council to suspend or purport to suspend me from office to the extent that the said suspension is the prerogative of Mr President.”
In her reaction, the chairman of the NHIS board acknowledged receipt of the memo on Friday.
Chairman of the NHIS board, Dr Enyantu Ifenne, however, expressed shock over Yusuf’s decision to defy the council.
She said, “Let those who hide under the cover of the Presidency to protect corruption know that Nigerians are keenly watching. I am convinced that if President Buhari is fully briefed about a tenth of Yusuf’s atrocities, he will throw him out.”
At a briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Ifenne had accused Yusuf of insubordination, fraud, arbitrariness and other corrupt practices.
She had announced his indefinite suspension and appointed Sadiq Abubakar as the acting Executive Secretary.
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EFCC charges Fayose, hotel with N1.3bn fraud
Indications emerged on Saturday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed corruption charges against a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, and his hotel, Spotless Investment Limited.
It was learnt that the EFCC filed the charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Fayose is accused of receiving about N1.3bn when he “ought to have known that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), the then National Security Adviser, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended in 2012) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”
The former governor was accused of sending his aide, Abiodun Agbele, to receive about N1.3bn from a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, sometime in June 2014.
The money was said to have emanated from Dasuki’s office.
According to the EFCC, the N1.3bn was flown to Akure Airport and Obanikoro handed over the money to Agbele, who is also standing trial for corruption.
The EFCC said officials of Zenith Bank arrived at the Akure Airport tarmac in a bullion van to convey all the cash to the bank’s vault located at 13, Alagbaka Estate, Akure.
Attached as evidence are bank tellers Agbele allegedly gave as bank instructions at different times to pay in money into Fayose’s Zenith Bank account even after the elections.
According to the commission, Agbele directed the bank to pay N137m into the account of Ayodele Fayose with number 1003126654 and Bank Verification Number 22338867502. The bank teller dated June 26, 2014, was filled by Agbele with teller number 0556814.
Agbele also allegedly directed the bank to transfer N118,760,000 to the same account and paid in N50m cash into Fayose’s account.
The commission said on April 7, 2015, several months later, Fayose personally moved N300m to his fixed deposit account at Zenith Bank with number 9013074033 with his same BVN.
The account is domiciled at 15 Olusola Abiona Street, Estate, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos.
According to the anti-graft agency, on the instruction of Fayose, Agbele deposited N100m to the account of Spotless Investment Limited, a hotel which is owned by Fayose and his wife, Olayemi.
Fayose allegedly used part of the money to buy houses in Abuja and Lagos. The houses have since been seized while his bank accounts with a balance of N380m have been frozen.
No date has been fixed for hearing. -
NFF: Court fixes arraignment of Andekin, two others over $9.5m fraud
The arraignment of Christopher Andekin, a director in the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and two other officials of the Federation on a 5-count charge of fraud to the tune of $$9.5million scheduled for today, October 15, 2018 could not hold after all.
Andekin, who is the Director of Administration and Finance, was to be arraigned before Justice Peter Affem of the FCT High Court, Abuja alongside Rajan Zaka, a cashier and Jafaru Fadanari Mamza, Head, Finance and Account Department of the NFF.
The trio, in 2015 allegedly diverted money to the tune of $9,535,923.87 belonging to the Federation to personal use. The money was a grant given by the Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, for the development of football in Nigeria.
It is also alleged that Andekin fraudulently diverted N1,353,407.22 from the domiciliary account of the NFF domiciled in one of the new generation banks, without due process.
Particulars of one of the counts read:
“That you, Christopher Andekin, being the Director of Admin and Finance of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on or about 8th day of January to 26th day of January 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja while being entrusted with dominion over money meant for the Development of Football in Nigeria, a grant from the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) to NFF fraudulently, diverted the sum of N1,353,407.22 from the NFF domiciliary account No. 5070407456 with the Zenith Bank into your personal use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Cap 532 LFN 1990 and punishable under Section 312 of the same Code.”
Another count reads: “That you, Rajan Zaka, being a cashier with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja while being entrusted with dominion over money meant for the Development of Football in Nigeria, a grant from the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) to NFF fraudulently, diverted the sum of $6,490,900.48 from the NFF domiciliary account No. 5070407456 with the Zenith Bank into your personal use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311of the Penal Code Cap 532 LFN 1990 and punishable under Section 312 of the same Code.”
When the case was called, though the defendants were present in court, they could not take their plea as counsel representing them informed the court that he was ‘just’ served with the charge, and asked the court for a date to enable him study the charge.
In the circumstance, Justice Affem asked parties to come back on Thursday, October 18, 2018 for the arraignment. -
India arrests two Nigerians for fraud
Two Nigerians have been arrested by the India police for allegedly defrauding people by posing fake advertisements on online market portal Quikr.
Quikr is an Indian classified advertising platform, founded in 2008.
According to a report published by The Times of India, on Friday, the accused are Samuel Udom, 24, and Ngandem Samuel, 33, both of whom live in Bangalore city in India.
Udom was arrested for allegedly duping one Balakrishna Reddy to the tune of 82,500 Indian Rupees (about N408,000), promising to sell an Iphone, a One Plus 5T phone and a digital camera.
Reddy reportedly came across the advertisement posted by Mr Udom on the online market portal, in January 2018 and deposited the money as advance payment in his bank account. However, Mr Udom did not send the cell phones and a camera.
The other accused, Mr Samuel, was arrested for allegedly duping Muhammed Alli of 85,000 Indian Rupee (about N420,000) through a fake Innova sale advertisement on Quikr.
”The courier tracking ID given by Udom was fake and the accused lodged a complaint with us”, the Times of India quoted the an officer of the police cybercrime unit, Raghu Veer, as saying. -
EFCC clampdown on 33-years old internet fraudster
The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one Oke Omoniyi Benjamin, 33-years old from Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State, for internet fraud.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Benjamin was arrested sequel to an intelligent report received by the EFCC on 27th August, 2018, alleging that he is into internet fraud and has also defrauded a number of foreigners of their money through fraudulent schemes.
The report stated that Benjamin used the proceeds of his fraud to buy two cars, and also own a unisex salon known as Signatures Unisex Salon located at No. 238, Ilawe Road, opposite Baptist School, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
At the point of arrest, operatives of the Commission recovered an Acura TL, 2010 with Registration Number BDG 969FH and a Lexus ES 300, 2002 with Registration Number EPE 829FJ, two Laptops, two Phones, forged documents and several counterfeit cheques of various foreign Banks.
Benjamin, however, admitted to the allegations against him and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
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EFCC arraigns Saraki’s deputy chief of staff over alleged N3.5bn fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned an aide to Senate President Bukola Saraki, Gbenga Makanjuola, for an alleged fraud of N3.5 billion.
Makanjuola was arraigned alongside a firm, Melrose General Services Limited; and one Obiorah Amobi before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The 11 counts pressed against the defendants border on conspiracy and money laundering.
In the charges, the EFCC alleged that they committed the offence sometime in December 2016 in connivance with one Robert Mbonu, said to be at large.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants “took control of N3.5bn that was transferred from the Nigeria Governors Forum’s account into an Access Bank Plc account number 0005892453, operated by Melrose General Services Limited.”
The EFCC averred that the suspects “reasonably ought to have known that the said fund represented the proceeds of unlawful activities, to wit, conspiracy, stealing and fraud.”
The prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Mr. Ekene Iheanacho, said the defendants acted contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 and are liable to being punished under Section 15 (3)of the same Act.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty when the 11 counts were read to them before Justice Babs Kuewumi.
The judge ordered that they be remanded in the prison custody till October 9, when he would rule on their bail applications. -
Police arraign Okorocha’s former commissioner for fraud, stealing
The Imo State Police Command on Monday arraigned a former Commissioner of Commerce and Industry to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Best Mbanaso, in a magistrate’s court.
The 11 counts bordered on fraud, stealing and destruction of fuel stations in the state.
Mbanaso was also an ex-Special Adviser on Mayoral Affairs (Orlu zone) to Okorocha before he fell out with the governor based on who should become the next governor of the state.
Mbanaso was reportedly arrested last Wednesday.
He pleaded not guilty to the 11 counts.
He was alleged to have, between 2012 and 2013, with intent to defraud, received fuel station materials valued at over N38m from Olison Enterprises, belonging to Chief Oliver Anopuome, acting on behalf of the Imo State Government.
He was also alleged to have received 33,000 litres of diesel, valued at over N5m, belonging to Olison Enterprises.
The police prosecutor, Caleb Achi, equally accused the ex-commissioner of maliciously destroying a fuel station belonging to one Oliver under the false pretences of acting for the state government.
The charges read in part, “That you, Best Mbanaso, conspired with others now at large to steal underground fuel tanks and a GP water tank belonging to Olison Enterprises….”
The magistrate, Adaugo Nosiri, complained over the manner the charges were prepared.
She also flayed the police for arraigning the accused on charges the magistrate’s court lacked jurisdiction over.
The defence counsel, Fintan Ilika, orally sought for bail for his client on liberal terms.
According to the defence lawyer, the charges were “politically orchestrated.”
The magistrate granted bail to the accused on all the charges she had jurisdiction over with one surety who must be a civil servant from grade level 10.
While adjourning the matter to September 10, she directed that the files be sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
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[Photos] Kenya arrests 19 Nigerians for fraud
The Kenya Police on Saturday arrested nineteen Nigerians residing in Nairobi for involvement in electronic fraud, Standard newspaper of Kenya reports.
The suspects were reported to have been arrested in Umoja, Kasarani and Roysambu Estates within Nairobi for engaging in electronic fraud targeting Kenyans.
Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti said the suspects targeted Kenyans especially through the social media before they embark on lying to them.
“The fraudsters start by befriending you on social media (Facebook) and once you accept the friend request they initiate a friendly chat that promises the victim goodies to be sent through DHL at the airport,” he said.
The following day a call will be made and someone will pretend to be an attendant at the DHL office.
They will tell the victim to pay clearance fees for the same parcel they claim to have sent to a person.
“Immediately you send the money through Mpesa another call is made requesting for some more money for other documentation and taxes.”
”After paying the dues demanded, your calls demanding for your parcel will not be picked. That is the time you realise that you have been conned. This is therefore to warn members of the general public against such fraudsters,” he said.
The swoop followed a barrage of complaints filed with police over the incidents. One victim told police he had been promised an iphone and paid Sh70,000 for the gadget.
During the swoop, several electronic gadgets were recovered from the suspects’ houses.
Some of the suspects had come to Nairobi as students and as businessmen.
The incident come at a time when police are battling with a Cameroonian national in court who was deported last year but sneaked back to Kenya.
On arriving in Kenya Doctta Peter Longa threw away his traveling documents as part of efforts to frustrate his re-deportation.
He was arrested in Parklands after defrauding a businessman of Sh20 million on claims he would double the money. Cases of foreigners finding a safe haven in Nairobi for criminal activities are on the rise amid police crackdown.