A Federal High Court in Lagos has scheduled the arraignment of Gbolahan Obanikoro, the son of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, for February 27, 2025. He, along with four others, is facing charges related to an alleged ₦1.356 billion fraud. The other individuals set for arraignment include Adejare Adegbenro (51), Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B. Integrated Limited, and DDSS International Company Limited. They are accused of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretenses, false representation, and fraud in a case with five charges. Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa set the date on January 24, after the defendants failed to appear in court for their original arraignment. During the proceedings, prosecution lawyer Momoh Bello requested a bench warrant for the accused, as they had already been served notices. However, Joshua Abel, representing the fourth defendant (a company), opposed the bench warrant request. He argued that his client had only received the service notice late and that the directors, who are abroad, had not been adequately informed. Upon reviewing the proof of service, Justice Lewis-Allagoa ruled that the first and second defendants, who are individuals, had not been properly served. However, there was evidence of service for the third and fourth defendants. The court directed the prosecution to regularize the service for the remaining parties. The Inspector General of Police, through the Special Fraud Unit in Ikoyi, Lagos, has accused the defendants and others still at large of conspiring between May and September 2013 to fraudulently acquire ₦1.356 billion from Access Bank Plc (formerly Diamond Bank). The police allege that the accused misrepresented their intentions by claiming the funds were needed to import cars from Dubai for resale, but instead, they allegedly diverted the money for personal use, knowing it was the product of illegal activity. The offences are alleged to violate Section 8(i)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act (No. 14 of 2006) and Sections 18(2)(b) and (d) as well as 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
The US Supreme Court has rejected Donald Trump’s request to delay sentencing in his hush-money case. Learn more about the court’s decision and Trump’s reaction. The US Supreme Court has turned down President-elect Donald Trump’s urgent attempt to delay his sentencing in the criminal hush-money case scheduled for Friday. Trump had requested the highest court to review whether he was eligible for an automatic postponement of his sentencing while appealing his conviction. However, the justices rejected his application in a narrow 5-4 decision. Trump was previously found guilty of falsifying business records to conceal reimbursements for a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016, misleadingly recorded as legal fees. Justice Juan Merchan, presiding over the case, has indicated that a jail sentence is unlikely. Reacting to the court’s decision, Trump described the case as a “disgrace” but acknowledged the Supreme Court’s ruling as “fair.” Criticizing Justice Merchan, he stated, “It’s a judge that shouldn’t have been on the case,” and dismissed the proceedings as politically motivated. On his Truth Social platform, Trump further labeled the case as part of the “dying remnants” of political attacks against him. The court’s decision saw two conservative justices, John Roberts and Amy Coney Barrett, align with the three liberal justices in denying Trump’s request for a delay. The other four justices—Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh—supported Trump’s appeal to postpone sentencing. Trump is expected to be sentenced on January 10. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
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On Friday, Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, a well-known social media activist, was charged before an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court located in Wuse Zone 6 on a charge that he had impersonated a police officer. The defendant entered a not guilty plea to the accusation of impersonation and unlawful use of the police uniform, which was associated with the offense designated CR/510/2024. The court then gave him N2 million in bail, with the two sureties contributing the same amount. The court ruled that in addition to having to reside in Abuja’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the sureties also had to submit its registry with their passports. The court has mandated that the sureties always present a form of identification and attest to an affidavit in order to present the defendant for trial. It required the police investigating the case to confirm the sureties’ addresses, and they were also instructed to present proof that their utility bills had been paid. Additionally, the defendant was instructed to sign an affidavit stating that he would always be available for the trial. It should be remembered that the VeryDarkMan was arrested on Thursday after accepting an invitation from the police. The defendant was seen wearing a uniform in a video that went popular on social media. that was comparable to the Nigerian Police Force. He humorously asked his supporters and followers to always refer to him with his new rank rather than calling him an activist, describing himself as a CSP of an online division. However, the defendant eventually apologized publicly for his actions after an earlier encounter with the police that involved a video summons. While warning other video creators to always get the required clearance from law enforcement authorities before using their uniforms for creative purposes, he clarified that he was unaware that wearing such a uniform without authority was illegal. READ ALSO: NAFDAC warns Nigerians not to use recalled NIVEA product. The FCT Police Command, however, was not pleased with the apologies and promised to bring legal action against him. in order to emphasize the NPF’s dedication to maintaining “the integrity of its symbols and preventing their misuse.” We love having you back, Kindly Subscribe to our NewsLrtter.
