EFCC arrests Benue Vigilante Commandant over alleged N449.5m scam

BENUE, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Makurdi Zonal Office, has arrested one George Mbessey.

He was nabbed over allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds to the tune of N449.5million.

The suspect is the Commandant, Benue State Vigilante Group (BSVG).

This was contained in a statement on Friday by Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesman.

He was arrested by operatives in Makurdi following a petition urging the commission to investigate a case of alleged financial recklessness against the suspect.

According to the petitioners, BSVG used to receive its official funding of N20million monthly directly from the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs through its official account.

They added that between October 2018 and May 2020, the suspect allegedly collected funds meant for the BVSG to the tune of N449.5million using personal account.

The complaints said the act did not follow due process, hence, the petition to the EFCC.

The statement added that the suspect has volunteered useful information to the commission and would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is concluded.

Court sentences FBI wanted female suspect ‘Jay Jay’ to 2 years

EDO, Nigeria – The Benin zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of Joan Uruvbu (alias Jay Jay) for conspiracy and internet fraud.

The convict was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State.

Acting Spokesman of the anti-graft agency said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Joan Uruvbu (alias Jay Jay) Daniel Mercedes, Paul Tommy and Sally (all at large) between 2018 and 2019 in Benin City within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire to used attached E-mail to obtain personal identification information of others online to use same to file fraudulent tax returns with the Inland Revenue Service (IRS) of the United States of America ( USA) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section (27)(b) of the cybercrime(prohibtion prevention etc) Act ,2015 and punishable under Section 36(1) of the same Act.”

Based on her plea, the counsel for the EFCC, L.P prayed the court that the defendant be convicted and sentenced accordingly.

However, the defence counsel, John Okhihiegbe pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant was a first-time offender, a youth who had a future ahead of her and has shown remorse.

But Justice Emeka Nwite after listening to the defence and prosecution convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years in prison commencing from the date of arrest or a fine of N1million.

DAILY POST learnt that items recovered are to be forfeited and restitution made to her victims.

Also, Justice Nwite ruled that the convict signs an undertaking to be of good behavior henceforth.

Court convicts popular Lekki boutique owner, Babatunde Rufai for fraud

LAGOS, Nigeria – Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced one Babatunde Rufai, aka Richard Abben, to nine months in prison for internet fraud.

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The convict is the owner and promoter of “Wear It All Boutique” in Lekki, Lagos.

He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a three-count charge bordering on stealing and obtaining money by false pretense to the tune of $5,000.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Babatunde Sodiq Rufai (a.k.a Richard Abben), on or about the 12th of December 2007 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this honorable court, with intent to defraud, used an email address richardabben@yahoo.com, wherein you represented yourself as an American citizen carrying out contractual business in Africa and obtained the sum of $5,000 property of an unsuspecting citizen of the United States of America, thereby committing an offense contrary to sections 278 (1),(2) and 285 (1) of Lagos State, 2011.”

The defendant pleaded “guilty” to the charges preferred against him by the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, Hamed Yerima, informed the court of a plea bargain agreement entered with the defense team.

He urged the court to adopt the same and sentence on the defendant based on the terms of the agreement.

Justice Taiwo adopted the terms of the plea bargain and convicted the defendant accordingly.

Delivering her judgment, Justice Taiwo held that: “I am mindful of this type of crime in our society, which is giving our country a bad image all over the world.

“However, given the plea bargain agreement, the defendant is hereby sentenced to nine months in prison, with an option of fine of N400,000 to be paid to the account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the office of the EFCC.”

The Judge also ordered that the three exotic cars recovered from the convict be forfeited to the Federal Government.