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Court fixes Nov 21 for judgment in N960m investment scam

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A Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has adjourned judgment in the N960m, investment fraud case involving Edu Hub Consults Limited and its Managing Director, Mma Anyanso, to November 21, 2025.

Justice Mojisola Dada on Wednesday fixed the date after she was informed of a plea bargain entered by the defendant.

Anyanso is standing trial on an amended charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretence. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission accused him and his company of diverting investors’ funds meant for legitimate business purposes to personal use.

The amended charge, dated August 21 2025,and filed on September 29, 2025, alleged that between July 18 and September 14, 2020, Edu Hub Consults Limited dishonestly converted N960 m, belonging to investors under the guise of a profitable investment scheme.

The alleged offences contravene Section 278(1)(b)(ii) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The EFCC further claimed that the defendants used part of the funds to acquire luxury properties, including an apartment at Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.

An EFCC operative, Chinedu Peters, attached to the Commission’s Cybercrime Section, testified that the agency received credible intelligence in 2020 about suspicious investment activities operating from Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island.

Acting on this information, investigators visited the location and arrested several suspects, including Anyanso.

Peters told the court that the defendant voluntarily admitted being the Managing Director of Edu Hub Consults Limited and, The Map Online Limited, both of which collected money from members of the public under the pretext of investment opportunities.

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He added that a letter sent to the Securities and Exchange Commission confirmed that neither company was licensed to receive or manage investment funds from the public.

Investigations, according to him, revealed that Edu Hub Consults Limited and, The Map Online Limited received various sums from over 2,300 investors, promising high returns based on the investment category.

The EFCC operative said the scheme collapsed after a few months of payouts, and the funds were diverted for personal use, including purchasing properties in Lagos and Abuja.

Peters also testified that while on administrative bail, the defendant made partial restitution to about 945 investors but still owed approximately N1.2 bn.

He added that Anyanso later wrote to the EFCC expressing willingness to enter into a plea bargain, in a letter dated September 29, 2025.

The prosecution urged the court to convict the defendant, insisting that the evidence established deliberate fraudulent conduct.

However, defence counsel, Dr. Suleiman Usman (SAN), pleaded for leniency, arguing that the defendant acted in good faith and had cooperated with investigators.

“The defendant believed the business was genuine,” Usman said.

“He has made substantial efforts to refund investors and surrendered properties to offset the outstanding balance.”

He urged the court to temper justice with mercy and consider a non-custodial sentence.

After listening to both counsel, Justice Dada adjourned the case until November 21, 2025, for judgment.

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Crime

Army foils ambush in Cross River, kills four gunmen

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Troops of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have foiled an ambush by suspected criminals while responding to a communal dispute in Odonget Community, Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The Army disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, signed by the Major Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lt. Yemi Sokoya.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on March 12, 2026, after troops deployed at Ochon and Alesi received credible information about rising tensions linked to a communal disagreement in Odonget Community.

Sokoya said the troops “acted swiftly to prevent a breakdown of law and order” by mobilising to the community, where they carried out patrols and a show of force that helped to calm the situation and restore normalcy between the concerned parties.

However, while returning to their respective locations after stabilising the area, the soldiers discovered that their route had been deliberately blocked by unidentified persons.

“During efforts to clear the obstruction, the soldiers came under a coordinated ambush by unknown gunmen, leading to a fierce exchange of fire,” the statement said.

He added that following a contact report from troops on the ground, reinforcements from the 245 Battalion were immediately deployed with armoured and tactical support vehicles to counter the attack.

“The prompt response enabled the troops to successfully repel and clear the ambush,” Sokoya stated.

He said that during the engagement, troops “neutralised four of the armed attackers, while several others escaped.”

The Army spokesman said one soldier sustained injuries during the incident and was immediately evacuated to Jennifer Hospital in Ochon, Obubra Local Government Area, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.

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Sokoya further stated that in the aftermath of the incident, troops had commenced cordon-and-search operations in suspected communities linked to the attackers to track down the fleeing criminals and prevent further security breaches.

He added that a curfew had been imposed in the affected area “to forestall further breakdown of law and order and to deny miscreants the freedom to operate.”

The Commander, 13 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Patrick Alimikhena commended the bravery and professionalism displayed by the troops in confronting the attackers.

He also reassured residents of Cross River State of the Nigerian Army’s “unwavering commitment to protecting lives and maintaining peace within its Area of Responsibility.”

The Army urged members of the public to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and provide credible information that would assist ongoing operations aimed at apprehending the perpetrators.

“Members of the public are encouraged to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies, and provide credible information that will assist ongoing operations aimed at apprehending the perpetrators,” the statement added.

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PHOTOS: Seven suspects arraigned for assaulting LAWMA operatives in Lagos

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Seven persons have been arraigned before the Special Offences (Mobile) Court sitting in Ikeja Magisterial District for allegedly assaulting enforcement operatives of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) during an environmental enforcement operation.

The defendants, Olamilekan Abdullahi (21), Akeem Olamilekan (24), Frank Tom (25), Sakiru Jamiu (20), Emmanuel Abiodun (41), Olarewanju Onyowale (35) and Taiwo Yusuf (30), were apprehended by LAWMA enforcement personnel on March 8, 2026, within the Moshalashi Jimoh axis in Lagos Island during routine monitoring against indiscriminate waste disposal.

They were subsequently arraigned on March 10, 2026, before the Special Offences (Mobile) Court, Ikeja, in the matter of Attorney General of Lagos State v. Olamilekan Abdullahi & 6 Others.

The prosecution charged the defendants on a five-count charge bordering on conduct likely to cause breach of peace, indiscriminate dumping of refuse at an unapproved location, failure to patronise an approved Private Sector Participant (PSP) waste operator, obstruction of officers in the discharge of their duties, and assault.

All seven defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read before the court.

The court thereafter adjourned the case to April 24, 2026, for trial and admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two responsible sureties, one of whom must be a recognised community leader while the other must be a gainfully employed relative.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendants were remanded in a correctional facility.

LAWMA warns that obstruction or assault of enforcement personnel constitutes a serious offence under the laws of Lagos State, reiterating that acts capable of undermining environmental enforcement operations would be firmly addressed through appropriate legal channels.

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FG arraigns Abuja doctor over IVF fraud and sale of couple’s embryos

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The Federal Government has arraigned a 54-year-old Abuja-based medical practitioner, John Abebe, before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jabi, over fraudulent acts and criminal conspiracy.

Abebe, who is also a pastor at Living Faith Church in Durumi, Abuja, was arraigned on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 along with his hospital, Joje Abebe Hospital Limited, on three counts of fraud, criminal conspiracy, unlawful disclosure of confidential medical records, and alleged sale of a couple’s embryos.

The doctor was accused of unlawfully releasing the confidential medical records of Mrs Mary Manga and her husband to the public without her consent, in contravention of Section 29 of the National Health Act 2014.

In addition to the alleged breach of medical confidentiality, prosecutors claim that between January and May 2025, Abebe, described as a Chief Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (O&G), deceived and defrauded the couple of N19 million under the pretext of being a specialist in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).

The prosecution alleged that he collected the money for treatment and converted it to personal use, an offence punishable under Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

It was also alleged that the doctor sold the couple’s fully developed embryos to other patients, a development that, if proven, could mark one of the most scandalous fertility-related cases in the country’s recent history.

When the charges were read to him, Abebe and JojeAbebe Hospital Limited pleaded not guilty.

His counsel, Marvin Omorogbe, applied for his bail, which was not opposed by the prosecuting counsel, Joseph Wada.

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Consequently, Justice A. A. Fashola granted Abebe bail in the tune of N5 million with a reliable surety in like sum, who must be a professional working with a responsible and verifiable organisation, and adjourned to April 2, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

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