Crime
Enugu court remands ritualist, two others, for kidnapping, murder
An Enugu North Magistrate Court in Enugu Magisterial District on Wednesday remanded three suspects, including Mr. Obi Levi Obieze, a notorious ritualist accused of abducting a little girl from her parents in Ezeagu Local Government Area, for their alleged involvement in kidnapping and murder.
The suspects, Obieze, Sabastine Emeka Offor, and Odinwamkpa Ejike, were arraigned before His Worship, Osondu Chukwuani, at Court 1, Enugu North, by the Enugu State Police Command on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects allegedly conspired to commit a felony, specifically kidnapping, and are liable to punishment under Section 495 (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.
The charge sheet also alleges that the suspects kidnapped and used personal violence on several individuals, including a 13-year-old girl, Ukamaka, and a 15-year-old boy, Chima, and murdered Chimaobi Ezi and Joy Miracle Udokamma.
The charge marked MEN/473c/2025 signed by the Prosecutor and Head of the Legal Team, Enugu State Police Command, SP Justice Attah Esq, read, “That you, Obi Levi Obieze, a.k.a Ozo Ezeani/E dey play e dey show (male), Sabastine Emeka Offor (male), Odinwamkpa Ejike (male), and others now at large, between April, 2025 to 26th day of May, 2025, at about 1800hours at along Umuojo Road, Ishiagu Village, Umumba Ndiagu Community in Ezeagu, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: kidnapping and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 495 (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.
“That you, Obi Levi Obieze, a.k.a Ozo Ezeani/E dey play e dey show (male), Sabastine Emeka Offor (male), Odinwamkpa Ejike (male), and others now at large, between the month of April, 2025 to 26th day of May, 2025, at about 1800hours at along Umuojo Road, Ishiagu Village, Umumba Ndiagu Community in Ezeagu, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: kidnapping and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 495 (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.
“That you, and others now at large, on the same date, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did use personal violence and kidnapped Ukamaka, female, aged 13 years, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 (2) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, No. 14 of 2010.
“That you, and others now at large, on the same date, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did use personal violence and kidnapped Chimaobi Ezi, male, aged 15 years, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 (2) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, No. 14 of 2010.
“That you, and others now at large, on the same date, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did use personal violence and kidnapped Joy Miracle Udokamma, female, aged 31 years, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 (2) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, No. 14 of 2010.
“That you, on or before the 21st day of May, 2025, at Umuojo Road, Ishiagu Village, Umumba Ndiagu Community in Ezeagu, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony, to wit: murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 494 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.
“That you, on the same day, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Chimaobi Ezi, male, aged 15 years and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 274 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you, on the same day, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Joy Miracle Udokamma, female, aged 31 years and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 274 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.”
According to a statement issued by Governor Peter Mbah’s media office, the defendants pleaded not guilty after the seven-count charge was read to their understanding.
However, the Magistrate ruled that the case file should be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for review and to file proper charges at the higher court. He said that the Magistrate Courts have no jurisdiction to try such capital offences.
The Magistrate subsequently adjourned the matter to August 20 and ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.
Obieze was reportedly arrested at the Badagry-Seme border area while trying to flee Nigeria, following alleged involvement in abduction, kidnapping, and ritual killing that rocked the Umumba Ndiagu community in May this year.
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The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested six suspected members of a “one chance” robbery syndicate.
The operatives noted that one of the suspects died from fatal wound, and it rescued a victim, and recovered the gang’s operational vehicle.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said in a statement on Saturday that the arrests were made on August 6, 2025, by operatives attached to the Anti-One Chance Unit during patrols within the FCT and its environs.
Adeh said officers spotted a victim, identified as Angel Patrick, being pushed out of a moving vehicle along Kubwa Expressway at about 8.30am.
She noted that one team rescued her and took her to Zankwochi Hospital, Mabushi, while another pursued the suspects to the Aso area of Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
The statement partly read, “In a sustained onslaught against armed robbery “one chance” criminal syndicates within the Federal Capital Territory and its environs, operatives of the FCT Police Command attached to the Anti-One Chance Unit have arrested six suspects, neutralized one, rescued a victim, and recovered their operational vehicle.
“On August 6, 2025, at about 08:30 a.m., while on routine patrol with two vehicles, the officers sighted a victim later identified as Angel Patrick, being pushed out of a moving vehicle along Kubwa Expressway. In a swift response, one team stopped to rescue the victim, immediately conveying her to Zankwochi Hospital, Mabushi, for urgent medical attention, while the second team, comprising undercover officers, pursued the fleeing suspects to the Aso area of Mararaba, Nasarawa State.”
She stated that a gun duel ensued during the chase, resulting in the arrest of five suspects — Jude Simon of Mararaba, Emmanuel Akor, Daniel Benson, Uche Thomas, and Tope Ola — all residents of Mpape.
Adeh said one of the suspects was fatally wounded and later confirmed dead at Asokoro General Hospital.
“Following a hot chase and a fierce gun duel, the suspects were forcefully halted. Five were arrested at the scene: Jude Simon of Mararaba, Emmanuel Akor, Daniel Benson, Uche Thomas, and Tope Ola, all males from Mpape who had been on the Command’s wanted list. Their operational vehicle, a dark grey Toyota Corolla, was recovered.
One suspect was neutralized during the exchange of fire and later confirmed dead at Asokoro General Hospital.
Investigations further revealed that one of the suspects: John Simon, had been arrested in December 2024, charged, and remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre for the same offence.”
Adeh said their operational vehicle, a dark grey Toyota Corolla, was recovered alongside six ATM cards, a jackknife, ₦115,000 cash, and other items suspected to belong to previous victims.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include: One vehicle, six ATM cards suspected to belong to previous victims, One jackknife, Cash sum of ₦115,000, Other personal items suspected to belong to previous victims.
“The suspects, who freely confessed to being “one chance” operators, admitted they had been involved in the crime for several years now.
“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, while applauding the bravery and professionalism of the officers, reaffirmed the Command’s firm commitment to flushing out criminal elements from the FCT. He also urged residents to remain vigilant when boarding vehicles and to patronize only approved motor parks, ” the statement added.
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Three Ghanaian nationals accused of orchestrating a $100 million online fraud scheme targeting U.S. businesses and vulnerable Americans have been extradited to New York, federal prosecutors announced Friday.
Isaac Oduro Boateng, a/k/a “Kofi Boat,” Inusah Ahmed, a/k/a “Pascal,” and Derrick Van Yeboah, a/k/a “Van,” arrived in New York on August 7 after being extradited from Ghana.
They are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. A fourth defendant, Patrick Kwame Asare, a/k/a “Borgar,” remains at large.
According a post on the FBI website on Friday
“As alleged, Isaac Oduro Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, Derrick van Yeboah, and Patrick Kwame Asare led and participated in an international fraud ring that engaged in a massive conspiracy to defraud vulnerable people and steal from businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.
“Offshore scammers should know that we, the FBI, and our law enforcement partners will work around the world to combat online fraud and bring perpetrators to justice.”
All these are detailed in a press release dated August 8, 2025, on the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said, “Deceiving businesses using email compromise campaigns and tricking innocent elderly victims through fraudulent companionship in order to exploit their trust and finances is not merely appalling but illegal.
“The FBI will continue to ensure anyone who preys on companies and vulnerable Americans online is made to face the criminal justice system.”
Prosecutors say the defendants held senior positions in a Ghana-based network that posed as romantic partners to older victims and used fraudulent emails to trick companies into wiring funds.
After securing the money, the proceeds were allegedly laundered through West Africa, often directed by “chairmen” such as Boateng and Ahmed.
All four defendants face multiple federal charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, and receiving stolen funds, with each wire fraud count carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The case is being handled by the Southern District of New York’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.
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A high court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State has sentenced a 29-yearp-old man, Onilearo Sogo, to life imprisonment for r3ping his 7-year-old stepdaughter.
The Ekiti State Ministry of Justice on Friday, August 8, 2025 announced that the convict has been registered in the state S3x Offenders’ Register.
According to the public notice issued by the ministry, Sogo is currently serving a life term in the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Ado-Ekiti.
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Ekiti State Command arrested Sogo in May 2023.
Sogo had canal knowledge of the minor and caused injury in her private part in Aisegba-Ekiti, Gbonyin local government area of Ekiti State.
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