Crime

Court fixes Nov 21 for judgment in N960m investment scam

Published

5 months ago

November 6, 2025

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.

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 rescues 11 kidnap victims, arrests suspected terrorist

Published

11 minutes ago

April 14, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

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.”

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.

Post Views: 22

Crime

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

Published

18 hours ago

April 13, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

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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Post Views: 30

Crime

‘Pastor r@ped me on church altar during special deliverance’ – 16-year-old Anambra schoolgirl narrates

Published

19 hours ago

April 13, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

A 16-year-old schoolgirl, Precious Okafor, has revealed how a pastor in Anambra State s3xually abused her during a purported deliverance session.

Okafor spoke in an interview with Punch after being rescued by operatives of the Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad Agency in Onitsha.

“My aunt said her pastor told her I was possessed and needed deliverance. She brought me to his house at night and left me with him,” she said.

She alleged that the pastor, Evangelist Dozie Ezani of Jesus Is Ontop Ministry, later made advances toward her.

“Later, while I was asleep, the pastor came into the room and started touching me, but I pushed his hands away. After several attempts, he eventually left. I later overheard his wife asking him where he had been, and he told her he was ‘checking on the children’,” she said.

“The following day, he took me to his church in Amichi to carry out a ‘special deliverance’.

“He told me that I urgently needed God’s special intervention to be freed. But while the deliverance was going on at the altar, he attempted to force himself on me, but I resisted.

“For days, he didn’t give me food. At one point, I became very weak due to hunger, and the pastor overpowered me and started forcefully having intercourse with me. He did that several times on the altar during the deliverance session.

“He forcibly had intercourse with me, both in the church and sometimes at his poultry farm in Igboukwu, a neighbouring town in Aguata LGA.”

The suspect admitted to misconduct but claimed “the devil’s handiwork” influenced his actions.

“It is the devil’s handiwork. I didn’t know what came over me,” he said.

“I was arrested on my farm. The security operatives took me to their office in Onitsha, the same day and later transferred me to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka.

“I appeal to the security operatives to temper justice with mercy. It is not entirely my fault, as the girl was brought to me. I also promised to cover her medical bills if I am released.”