This was confirmed by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser on Wednesday....Click Here To Continue Reading>>

In December 2023, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), revealed that the Federal Government secured 366 convictions in the trial of Boko Haram terrorists conducted in 2017.

In addition, he said 896 suspects were discharged for lack of evidence, while 61 other cases were adjourned for further hearing.

In December 2023, the FG also secured the conviction of four Boko Haram financiers.

In a statement on Wednesday by the Head of Strategic Communication, NCTC-ONSA, Abu Michael said the trial would be conducted in line with the international criminal justice system.

Michael stated that at least 300 suspects are on trial, with five judges presiding over the five courts and chambers established for the swift administration of justice.

He added that the suspects were being represented by lawyers from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.

Two female police officers were also sentenced. Ramatu Kamanda Conteh received a 30-year sentence for harboring Koita....Click Here To Continue Reading>>

Ahigh court in Sierra Leone has sentenced 11 people, including soldiers and police officers, to lengthy prison terms for their role in a failed military coup attempt last year.

The court’s verdict follows an attack on November 26, 2023, when gunmen targeted multiple military barracks and a prison, freeing about 2,200 inmates and killing over 20 people.

Reuters reports that, after the failed coup attempt, 12 people were charged with treason in January.

However, on Monday, 11 people were convicted in a unanimous jury verdict on 20 counts, including treason, murder, and unauthorized use of military uniforms.

The twelfth accused, Bai Mahmoud Bangura of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party, is being tried separately due to health concerns.

Amadu Koita Makalo, a retired army major and former bodyguard to ex-president Ernest Bai Koroma, was sentenced to multiple terms totaling 40 to 70 years in prison, with the sentences to be served concurrently.

Two female police officers were also sentenced. Ramatu Kamanda Conteh received a 30-year sentence for harboring Koita.

The government said the coup bid was led mostly by bodyguards to Koroma, who was later charged with four related offences, before the government decided to let him leave the country on medical grounds.

However, Koroma condemned the coup attempt and his lawyers called the charges “trumped up” and part of a “political vendetta”.

Tensions have resurfaced in Sierra Leone, nearly two decades after the civil war from 1991 to 2002 that claimed over 50,000 lives.

A Nigerian man, Amos Prince Okey Ezemma has been sentenced to prison in the United States of America.

He was sentenced on Monday to 85 months in prison for his role in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme.

With today’s sentencing, each of the six defendants connected with this matter has been sentenced.

According to court documents, Amos Prince Okey Ezemma, 50, was a member of a group of fraudsters that sent personalized letters to elderly victims in the United States, falsely claiming that the sender was a representative of a bank in Spain and that the recipient was entitled to receive a multimillion-dollar inheritance left for the recipient by a family member who had died years before in Portugal.

Victims were told that before they could receive their purported inheritance, they were required to send money for delivery fees and taxes and were instructed to make other payments.

The victims sent money to the defendants through a complex web of U.S.-based former victims. The defendant and his co-conspirators also convinced former victims to receive money from new victims and then forward the fraud proceeds to others.

“The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch will continue to pursue, prosecute and bring to justice transnational criminals responsible for defrauding U.S. consumers, wherever they are located,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

“This case is testament to the critical role of international collaboration in tackling transnational crime. I want to thank the members of the Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations, as well as the Spanish National Police, National Crime Agency and Portuguese Judicial Police for their outstanding contributions to this case.”

“This investigation is a great example of the results the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Justice Department and our law enforcement partners strive to achieve,” said Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the USPIS Miami Division.

“We will continue to identify and dismantle transnational groups targeting American citizens and using the mail to further their schemes to defraud. Justice has no borders.”

“Targeting the elderly for pure financial gain is beyond shameful, it’s morally reprehensible,” said Special Agent in Charge Fransisco B. Burrola of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Arizona.

“Protecting such a vulnerable population is not just the responsibility of family members but also law enforcement agencies like HSI and our partners. Together, we are a force multiplier committed to apprehending those who scam our seniors. Let these lengthy sentences serve as reminders that HSI will not tolerate criminals who are motivated by greed.”

Each of Ezemma’s five co-defendants has been sentenced to prison for their roles in the scheme. On June 21, 2023, the Honorable Kathleen M. Williams sentenced Emmanuel Samuel to 82 months in prison. On July 25, 2023, Judge Williams sentenced Jerry Chucks Ozor to 87 months in prison.

On Aug. 29, 2023, Judge Williams sentenced Iheanyichukwu Jonathan Abraham to 90 months in prison. On Oct. 20, 2023, Judge Williams sentenced Kennedy Ikponmwosa to 87 months in prison. And on Nov. 2, 2023, Judge Williams sentenced Peter Ezennia Neboh to 128 months in prison. Judge Williams also ordered Ezemma and his co-defendants to pay more than $6 million in restitution to their over 400 victims.

The Consumer Protection Branch, USPIS and HSI investigated the case.

Senior Trial Attorney and Transnational Criminal Litigation Coordinator Phil Toomajian and Trial Attorneys Josh Rothman and Brianna Gardner of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and Europol all provided critical assistance.

The All Progressives Congress, on Wednesday, called on parents to watch the movement of their children to prevent them from being recruited for violence ahead of the nationwide planned protest....Click Here To Continue Reading>>

The warning comes in the wake of Tuesday’s threat by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, that security operatives wouldn’t hesitate to make arrests if the planned protest turns violent.

The protest, scheduled to run from August 1 to 10, has continued to generate tension and elicit mixed reactions from Nigerians.

Several groups who indicated interest in championing the campaign said the call for protest was provoked by the soaring cost of living and economic hardship in the country.

Addressing newsmen after its 153rd National Working Committee meeting, the National Secretary of APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, announced that the ruling party has joined the President to appeal to those planning protests to shelve their plans and have confidence that the Federal Government would address most of the economic challenges facing the nation.

Basiru also urged Nigerians to monitor the movement of their children to ensure they are not caught on the wrong arm of the law.

He said, “We noted that since coming on board in 2023, the government met quite several challenges, especially economic challenges, and Mr President is gradually implementing programmes and policies that would in the nearest future bring succour and relief to the citizens.

“The NWC noted that some issues highlighted by the protestants are political, while others are constitutional matters that can only be addressed through the amendment of the constitution, which is ongoing at the National Assembly.

“We, therefore, urge all those planning the protests to have confidence in Mr President’s unrelentless efforts at repositioning the economy, while assuring Nigerians that the challenges will sooner or later come to pass.

“The meeting urged parents and well-meaning Nigerians to monitor the movement of their children/wards so that they will not be used in causing chaos in the country.”

Continuing, the national secretary added that an emergency meeting of all Chairmen of the APC in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory has been called for ‘further discussions.’

In a shocking development, a woman identified as Memory Choga, 41, has been detained for allegedly k!lling her husband, Douglas Jeche, 45, a teacher at Jeche Primary School in Sadza, Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe....Click Here To Continue Reading>>

According to The Herald, the incident unfolded when Douglas transferred his salary from his bank account to his bank wallet without informing Memory. When she discovered the funds were unavailable, she became enraged.

A neighbour reported, “She was furious when she realized the money wasn’t in the bank.”

Upon returning home without the money, Memory’s anger intensified. She allegedly attacked Douglas with a log, inflicting severe injuries across his body. A witness described the assault as “indiscriminate and relentless.” Douglas later d!ed from his injuries.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest, stating, “On July 19, 2024, Memory Choga was apprehended in connection with the murder of her husband at Jeche Primary School in Sadza. The victim sustained multiple wounds from an assault with a log following a dispute over the transfer of his salary into his EcoCash account. He succumbed to the injuries.”

Memory Choga remains in police custody as investigations continue into the murd3r of her husband, Douglas Jeche. Authorities are still gathering details about the incident that led to Jeche’s death.

Commissioner Paul Nyathi assured the public, “Justice will take its course,” as the legal process unfolds. The community is mourning the loss of Douglas Jeche, a well-regarded teacher, and struggling to come to terms with the tragic circumstances surrounding his death.