Crime
PHOTOS: Police recover stolen day-old baby, arrest suspect in Ekiti
The Ekiti State Police Command has recovered a day-old baby stolen from a government health facility in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
Recall that the newborn was stolen at Okeyimi Health Centre on Monday, August 4, 2025.
The spokesperson of the command, Abutu Sunday, who confirmed the development on Wednesday, August 6, in Ado Ekiti, stated that the baby was recovered through a painstaking investigation and a credible tip-off.
The police arrested one Deborah Ayeni of Afao-Road, Ado-Ekiti, for stealing a newborn child.
The baby has been reunited with the parents, Mustapha Aliyu, 29, and 22-year-old Salmatu Lawal.
“The suspect, after her arrest today, being 6th August, 2025, confessed to the commission of the crime, and the child has been recovered from her,” the PPRO stated.
“Investigation revealed that the suspect has been going about with a fake pregnancy, and has been lying to the husband, who stays in the UK, that she was pregnant.
“She confessed that her decision to look for a child to steal was to cover up her lies about the fake pregnancy, since she had already collected a lot of money from her husband.
“The recovered child has been handed over to the parents, while the suspect will be further investigated and prosecuted accordingly.
“The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, while calling on everyone to be security conscious all round and at all times, implored citizens to continue to support and cooperate with the police by supplying credible and timely information that can lead to the arrest of criminal elements in the society.”
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Crime
Many abandoned estates in Abuja owned by civil servants who stole public funds – EFCC boss, Ola Olukoyede
The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, says many abandoned estates in the federal capital territory (FCT) are owned by civil servants who have stolen money.
The boss of the anti-graft agency said this at a policy dialogue organised by Law Corridor with the theme, “Critical Issues Affecting Nigeria’s Real Estate Ecosystem.”on Wednesday, August 6.
While noting that some of the estates have been abandoned for over 10 years, the EFCC chairman said the anti-graft agency has set up a special team that would start visiting such properties.
“I have set up the team. We will start visiting all the estates, not only in Abuja but across Nigeria. We want to know who owns what. It will shock you that some of these estates have been abandoned for 10 to 20 years. They just take it to a level, and they abandon it.
Nobody knows what is going on. What we have been able to gather is that most of these estates were funded by civil servants who have stolen money.
The moment they leave public service, and the money is no longer coming, they abandon the estate. Then, the developer will start looking for investors to support them to complete the project.”
Olukoyede said the agency has had cause to file for forfeiture for about 15 estates in recent times.
“We have gotten more intelligence, too. Some of you sitting in this room, probably some of those estates belong to you. But very soon, we expect to meet you in court because there is no way we will develop this sector if we continue with that attitude. I know some of you have your genuine source of capital.”
He warned lawyers and real estate developers not to lend themselves as willing tools in the hands of those who engage in money laundering.
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In a well-coordinated offensive aimed at dismantling criminal enclaves, troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army (NA) / Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully rescued seven victims abducted along the Chinkai–Kente–Wukari road on 3 August 2025 by suspected kidnappers.
Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, August 6.
According to the statement, the search and rescue mission, conducted on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 August 2025.
During the operation, troops encountered the kidnappers, who, overwhelmed by superior firepower and sustained pressure, abandoned the victims and fled.
Four victims were found unharmed in Chinkai Forest on 5 August, while the remaining three female victims were rescued on 6 August in Owedi Community, Wukari Local Government Area.
“The safe recovery of all seven victims highlights the Nigerian Army’s commitment and professionalism in combating kidnapping and ensuring the security of Taraba State residents,” the statement read.
“Commander 6 Brigade NA / Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops for their dedication, describing the operation as a major success in the fight against criminality.
“He reaffirmed the Brigade’s resolve to sustain aggressive operations to curb kidnapping and safeguard lives and property across the state.”
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Crime
How Emmanuel Nwude Sold a Fake Airport for $242 Million: One of the Biggest Scams in Banking History
In one of the most audacious financial frauds ever recorded, Emmanuel Nwude, a Nigerian businessman and former director of Union Bank of Nigeria, masterminded a scam so elaborate it fooled a major international bank. Between 1995 and 1998, Nwude successfully defrauded Brazil’s Banco Noroeste of $242 million by posing as Paul Ogwuma, the then-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The Fraud
Nwude approached Nelson Sakaguchi, a director at Banco Noroeste, claiming to represent the Nigerian government in the construction of a new airport in Abuja. He pitched the opportunity as a lucrative investment, promising substantial returns once the project was completed and operational. To bolster the ruse, he forged official documents, used fake telephone lines, and orchestrated meetings in Lagos and London, all to convince Sakaguchi of the project’s legitimacy.
By the time the fraud was uncovered, Nwude had received $191 million in cash and an additional $51 million in interest. The stolen funds were funneled through international banking networks and laundered into properties and luxury assets across the world.
Global Fallout
The scam came to light when Banco Santander, a Spanish bank, attempted to acquire Banco Noroeste in 1997. During a financial audit, auditors discovered a $242 million discrepancy in Noroeste’s accounts.
The shocking revelation led to the collapse of Banco Noroeste and sent shockwaves through the international banking sector, drawing attention to Nigeria’s growing reputation for advance-fee fraud, commonly known as 419 scams.
Arrest and Prosecution
Nwude’s downfall came with the establishment of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2003. Led by Nuhu Ribadu, the EFCC reopened the case. Nwude and his accomplices were arrested and charged with 86 counts of fraud.
In 2005, after initially pleading not guilty, Nwude changed his plea in a plea bargain agreement. He was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to return a significant portion of the stolen funds and properties. However, it is widely believed that not all the money was recovered.
Aftermath and Asset Disputes
Following his release from prison, Nwude attempted to reclaim some of the assets seized by the Nigerian government, asserting that many of them were purchased before the scam. His efforts to regain control over these properties sparked legal disputes, some of which continued for years.
Legacy of the Scam
Emmanuel Nwude’s fraud remains one of the largest advance-fee scams in global history. It spotlighted the vulnerabilities within international banking and led to increased scrutiny of financial transactions, particularly those involving emerging markets.
More than a tale of crime, Nwude’s story is a stark warning about the cost of unchecked greed and the need for rigorous financial oversight. It also played a pivotal role in pushing Nigeria to reform its approach to financial crimes, paving the way for greater international cooperation in tackling corruption and fraud.
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