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US court jails Nigerian six years for $5m COVID-19 fraud

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A United States District Court has sentenced a 34-year-old Nigerian, Adepoju Babatunde Salako, to six and a half years’ imprisonment for his role in a $5m COVID-19 pandemic relief fraud.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Thursday from a statement published on the website of the United States Department of Justice that Salako, who resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was handed a 78-month federal prison term after pleading guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.

The statement added that as part of his plea agreement, Salako also agreed to plead guilty to seven additional counts of wire fraud in the District of Alaska.

It noted that the court further ordered him to pay $2,581,002.50 in restitution to victims of the fraud.

“The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Adepoju Babatunde Salako, 34, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy and one count of money laundering conspiracy.

“As part of the plea agreement, Salako also agreed to plead guilty to seven counts of wire fraud in the District of Alaska. The defendant was ordered to pay $2,581,002.50 in restitution to the victims of his crimes,” the statement read.

According to court documents, Salako participated in the scheme for most of 2021, exploiting economic relief measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Throughout most of the year 2021, Salako was part of a conspiracy that stole more than $5m from the Paycheck Protection Program, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan programme, and 30 state unemployment programmes through several complex schemes,” the statement added.

Providing further details, the statement said Salako and two accomplices used stolen identities to obtain fraudulent loans and unemployment benefits.

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“In one scheme, Salako and two co-conspirators used information belonging to identity theft victims to fraudulently obtain PPP loans and unemployment benefits, and submitted fraudulent applications for EIDL loans.

“Salako’s role was to receive money from romance scam victims and government agencies and launder the proceeds, primarily to China and Nigeria, for a fee of approximately 25 per cent,” it stated.

Reacting to the sentence, the United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, Peter McNeilly, condemned the fraud and reiterated the government’s resolve to prosecute offenders.

“Mr Salako and his criminal associates exploited innocent people and stole millions of dollars from American taxpayers. We are committed to finding and prosecuting fraudsters and, as this sentence demonstrates, these criminals will pay a high price for their actions,” he said.

Also commenting, the Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office, Matthew Modafferi, warned that severe penalties await those who abuse public trust.

“The sentence imposed on the defendant stands as a clear warning that serious consequences await anyone who exploits government resources to commit criminal acts,” the statement added.

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Crime

150 terrorists convicted in 48 hours, says AGF

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The Federal Government has secured approximately 150 convictions within the first two days of its latest phase of mass terrorism trials, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), disclosed on Tuesday.

Fagbemi made the disclosure while speaking with journalists at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the trials are being conducted simultaneously before 10 judges of the court.

The AGF said the current phase, which commenced on Monday, had already recorded about 160 trials leading to roughly 150 convictions on its first day alone.

“Yesterday, we had about 160 trials. I think about 150 convictions,” Fagbemi told reporters.

He added that proceedings on Tuesday brought approximately 300 cases before the courts, with another 84 cases expected to be concluded before the close of the day.

“Whatever we can do, or wherever we stop today, we’ll continue tomorrow and also on Thursday. So it’s still ongoing,” the minister said.

Fagbemi appealed for patience from members of the public as the exercise continued, stressing that the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to justice, accountability and the rule of law.

On Monday, the AGF had said the ongoing phase marked the fourth round of mass terrorism trials conducted since the inception of the current administration, describing the exercise as a clear signal that the government would not tolerate terrorism in any form.

“The message is clear, direct and straightforward. It is that the present administration is not taking the issue of terrorism with levity. And that is why you see ongoing trials.

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“Since the inception of this administration, this is about the fourth phase that we are undertaking. So the message is that let everybody know that terrorism in whatever form or shape will not be tolerated,” Fagbemi added.

The prosecution is being led by the AGF himself, while the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, heads the defence team.

Among the judges handling the cases are Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu and Ekerete Akpan, with proceedings taking place across several courtrooms simultaneously.

The current phase of trials is expected to run through Thursday, with the overall exercise scheduled to last one week.

The latest phase follows a previous round conducted between April 7 and April 10, during which no fewer than 500 alleged terrorists were tried before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

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Crime

Police arrest man for sharing fake video of bandit attack in Ekiti

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The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested a man, Sunday Olawale, over allegedly spreading fake news of bandits’ attack on Are Ekiti in the Irepodun Ifelodun Local Government area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, said in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday that the suspect, who confessed to the crime, had been unable to give a reason for the false information.

Abutu stated, “The Police Command wishes to reiterate that there was no bandit invasion in Are Ekiti or any part of the Ekiti State”.

The statement reads in part: “On 14th of June, 2026, the Command Rapid Response Squad trailed and arrested one Sunday Olawale at Ekute area of Ado Ekiti for cyberstalking and giving of false information intended to cause breakdown of law and order.

“It would be recalled that on the 12th of June 2026, a video was circulating on social media claiming that bandits had invaded Are Ekiti. The video was later confirmed to be false.

“During the investigation, the suspect confessed to having peddled the false information on social media and was unable to give any satisfactory reason for his action.

“The State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, while warning that the Command will not tolerate any act of fake news peddling or content capable of initiating panic among members of the public, advises members of the public to always verify information they believe or share on social media,” the PPRO stated.

See also  PHOTOS: Court remands woman for stealing newborn baby from Ekiti hospital
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Police confirm three security operatives killed in NIPSS Plateau gunmen attack

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The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed that three security operatives were killed in an attack on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, in the early hours of Monday.

In an information update in Jos on Tuesday, signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, the command said, “The Plateau State Police Command, on a very sad note, wishes to confirm the incident that occurred in the early hours of today, 16th June 2026, involving security personnel on duty at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru.

“Regrettably, three security personnel lost their lives during the incident.”

The command disclosed that security has been beefed up around the facility following the attack.

“Security reinforcements have been deployed, and patrols have been intensified around the general area by the Commissioner of Police, CP Bassey Ewah,” SP Alabo stated.

The police also assured residents that calm has returned to the area.

“The situation is under control and normal activities have resumed,” the statement added.

On the next steps, the command said, “Investigation is ongoing. The command urges members of the public to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses.”

The PPRO concluded that “Further updates will be communicated in due course.”

NIPSS Kuru is Nigeria’s premier policy training institution for senior public officials.

The attack marks one of the most serious security breaches at the facility in recent years.

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