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Two Nigerians jailed 16 years in Ireland over €6m fraud

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Two Nigerian nationals based in Ireland, Francis Ogbuefi, 42, and Steven Silvester, 32, have been sentenced to a combined jail term of over 16 years for their roles in what was described as a “highly sophisticated, global money laundering scheme”.

According to Raidió Teilifís Éireann on Friday, the duo were arrested and prosecuted following a lengthy investigation by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau of Ireland.

Ogbuefi, of Clonard Road, Crumlin, Dublin, was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment, while Silvester, of The Paddocks, Morristown, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, received a seven-and-a-half-year sentence.

The pair had allegedly travelled from Nigeria to Ireland to engage in organised fraud.

The total value of the scams linked to the case was put at €6.17m, according to the report.

Both men were said to have denied the charges but were found guilty by a jury after a trial last month.

Court proceedings, according to the RTE, revealed that more than €6m was stolen and laundered through various schemes, including romance fraud and smishing, with funds moved across multiple bank accounts.

The reports disclosed that investigators found that the two men coordinated the provision and monitoring of accounts used to receive illicit funds.

Evidence was said to have shown that they received requests from across the world—many linked to Nigerian phone numbers—seeking accounts for fraudulent transactions.

The report added that data recovered from Ogbuefi’s phone detailed job specifications, transaction volumes, and account requirements.

He was said to have also been found to have instructed that accounts be opened under Irish names to avoid suspicion.

The report quoted prosecutors as saying Ogbuefi acted as a key contact for collaborators outside Ireland.

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A nine-minute instructional video on how to carry out the fraud was also discovered on his device, alongside images showing him overseeing transactions and directing the group’s activities.

He reportedly took a 20 per cent cut of the proceeds and claimed to have extensive experience in the scheme.

Further evidence indicated that Ogbuefi entered Ireland as a student, while Silvester had initially lived in direct provision before becoming transient.

The presiding judge, Martin Nolan, reportedly described the operation as complex, noting that money laundering networks rely heavily on access to bank accounts.

The judge said both men demonstrated a strong understanding of banking systems, regularly testing their vulnerabilities.

While the crimes were difficult to detect, the report noted that the judge commended investigators for pursuing leads and presenting compelling evidence.

The judge also noted that the convicts had no prior criminal records and were regarded positively by their families, describing them as intelligent and capable of reform.

The case adds to a growing number of fraud-related convictions involving Nigerians abroad.

This year alone, over 100 Nigerians have been arrested in Ghana over alleged fraud and other offences.

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Crime

Man faces trial over dispute on Lagos Harvesters church land

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The Lagos State Government on Tuesday arraigned one Olusola Shedrach before the State High Court sitting in Ikeja over the alleged forceful takeover and damage of a landed property belonging to Harvesters Church along the Gbagada–Oworonshoki Expressway.

The defendant was arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi on a three-count charge bordering on forceful takeover, wilful damage, and breach of peace, preferred against him by the state.

When the charge was called, the state prosecutor, Olufunmilayo Aluko, urged the court to take the defendant’s plea.

“My Lord, we are ready for the arraignment of the defendant and pray that the charges be read to him so that he can take his plea,” she said.

The court granted the application, and the charges were subsequently read to the defendant.

Aluko told the court that Shedrach allegedly forcefully took over the church’s property and was also accused of wilful property damage.

The defendant was further accused of conducting himself in a manner capable of causing a breach of peace.

According to the prosecution, the offences contravene Sections 2(1) of the Lagos State Properties Protection Law, 2016; Section 350 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, for allegedly destroying items on the premises; and Section 168(d) of the same law, with the state alleging that the defendant conducted himself in a manner capable of causing disturbance on the property.

Shedrach, however, pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Following his plea, defence counsel, Mr O. Odueso, requested a short adjournment to enable the defence to move its bail application.

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“My Lord, we respectfully seek a short date to allow us to file and move our bail application,” Odueso said.

Responding, the prosecutor did not oppose the request for an adjournment.

In his ruling, Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to April 22 for the hearing of the bail application and fixed June 17, 2026, for the commencement of the trial.

“This matter is hereby adjourned to April 22, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and June 17, 2026, for trial,” the judge held.

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Army rescues 11 kidnap victims, arrests suspected terrorist

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The Nigerian Army says it has rescued at least 11 kidnapped victims and arrested several terror and criminal suspects in coordinated nationwide operations carried out across multiple theatres within the last 24 hours.

In a statement posted on Tuesday via the official Nigerian Army X handle, Nigerian Army said troops recorded “significant operational successes across multiple theatres,” adding that the operations “dealt decisive blows to terrorists, rescued kidnapped victims and disrupted criminal networks.”

In the North-East, troops arrested a suspected ISWAP/JAS logistics courier in Ngamdu, Borno State, who reportedly confessed to supporting insurgent activities around Gubio and Magumeri.

The Army said the arrest formed part of its intensified counter-terrorism operations in the region.

Also in Monguno, troops apprehended two suspected collaborators linked to a terrorist kingpin. According to the Army, items recovered from them included “4 android phones, 3 wristwatches, a power bank, 2 pairs of terrorist uniforms, one mudu of garri, and ₦135,500,” while the suspect’s wife and three children were also taken into custody for further investigation.

In separate operations, troops rescued six kidnapped victims in Bauchi State, with the Army stating that the rescue efforts “reinforced ongoing search-and-rescue operations” across affected communities.

In Yobe State, troops intercepted a truck in Nguru, which was “falsely declared as carrying beverages but found loaded with large consignments of medical supplies intended for illicit cross-border movement.”

The Army listed recovered items to include cartons of antibiotics, injections, syrups, bandages, and other pharmaceutical products, while noting that “the driver and three occupants are currently in custody.”

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In the North-West, troops in Katsina State arrested a suspected drug peddler in possession of 487 grams of cannabis sativa. In Zamfara State, the Army said troops responding to a distress call “rescued two abducted NDLEA personnel, neutralised threats, and apprehended one terrorist,” adding that the injured personnel have been evacuated for medical attention.

Operations in the North-Central also led to gains in Plateau State, where troops “thwarted cattle rustling attempts, recovering 92 cattle and rescuing an injured herder.”

Two suspects were also arrested with a pistol, ammunition, phones, and cash.

In the Federal Capital Territory, troops raided an illegal mining site and recovered equipment, including pumping machines, shovels, and diggers, while in Rivers State, they uncovered and destroyed illegal refining infrastructure containing thousands of litres of stolen crude and refined products.

In Edo State, troops working with other security agencies also arrested a suspected kidnapper, with the Army saying the operations “reflect enhanced inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-driven engagements” across the country.

Reaffirming its position, the Army said it remains “unwavering in its resolve to defend the nation’s territorial integrity and protect lives and property,” while urging citizens to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Ghanaian pastor arrested over alleged attempt to bury five-month-old baby alive

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A pastor has been arrested in connection with the alleged attempt to bury a five-month-old baby alive at Abofrem in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region, Ghana.

The suspect, Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, Head Pastor of Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, was apprehended following the incident, which has shocked residents of the community.

According to eyewitness accounts, the pastor and an accomplice were allegedly spotted at a refuse dump around 11 p.m. under suspicious circumstances with the baby.

An eyewitness, Winfred Agbah, said he intervened after noticing unusual activity and discovered that the child was still alive and appeared to be on the verge of being buried.

He raised an alarm, and swift intervention helped prevent what could have turned into a fatal incident.

Meanwhile, the Chief Linguist of Abofrem, Nana Yaw Badu, confirmed that the suspect had earlier informed him that the child was dead, which led to burial arrangements being discussed

He, however, said he was unaware that the baby was still alive at the time.

The baby girl is currently receiving treatment at a government hospital.

The Ghana Police Service has since arrested the suspect and his accomplice, who are assisting with ongoing investigations.

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See also  Five terrorists jailed, FG expedites 500 suspects’ trials
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