SamCity

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested the Managing Director of Platinum Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited, Mr. Michael Osasogie Obasuyi, for alleged conspiracy, cybercrime and laundering of N 11.498 billion According to EFCC, Mr. Obasuyi, who is also the Managing Director of Smartmicro Systems Ltd, had written a petition in March 2018 to the commission against a mobile and electronic payment provider firm.

The anti-graft agency said in a dramatic twist, the petitioned company had also written a counter-petition against Smartmicro and Obasuyi, leading the commission to begin investigations into the activities of Obasuyi.

EFCC operatives Smartmicro was alleged to have approached the company in 2012 for the deployment of bulk purchase solution called “Corporatepay” to facilitate payment of salaries of Delta State employees in microfinance banks. It was also alleged that the company configured an additional outbound fund transfer solution called “Fundgate” in 2017, which required Smartmicro to maintain a pre-funded settlement account with a first generation bank for settlement of account it had initiated. The company further alleged that the bank, sometime in March 2018, revealed that the settlement account was in debit of N11, 498,944,038.29. Obasuyi, in his statement to the Commission, confessed to have committed the crime, stating that he created fraudulent and imaginary monies through the aid of “Fundgate” financial application from the company.

A statement signed by the Spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said, “The commission, in the course of investigation recovered a paper version of the programme called MicroSwitchServer1, which he allegedly used to create and post the imaginary monies. “He also admitted to have diverted to his personal use N7, 519, 381, 202 out of N11, 498,944,038.29. “The Commission has so far recovered N2, 903,727,563.92, $37, 992.87 and 18,538.09 found in Obasuyi's accounts in various banks in the country. “Also, a total of 20 properties located in various parts of Edo, Rivers and Lagos States and Abuja, worth several millions of Naira, have been traced to Obasuyi, which were acquired with proceeds of crime.

“Obasuyi, who also admitted to have purchased 134 buses from the proceeds of crime, runs the popular Platinum Cruise Transport Company. He will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Credit: Vanguard

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has been named among 100 Most Influential Africans of 2017 by a London-based magazine, the `New African'.

A statement by Mr Idang Alibi, the Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, said Kachikwu was chosen in the category of Business and Finance.

The statement quoted Mr Omar Yedder, the Publisher and Managing Director of the magazine as saying “Kachikwu is adedicated to changing the African narrative and fighting for its interests.

“It is in accordance with that tradition that Dr Kachikwu was spotlighted as one of the greatest influencers of the continent in 2017.

“My organisation hope to continue on this journey alongside people engaged in transformational roles across the continent.

“The magazine is celebrating and reflecting on what shaped the African continent in 2017, and recognised men and women who were change-makers and influencers in a number of sectors and industries.'' (NAN)

THE high-powered police investigation team deployed in synergy with the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department to unravel the Offa bank robbery in Kwara State have arrested the nine armed robbers directly involved in the act and attack on a police station.

The arrest was consequent on Ibrahim Idris, inspector general of Police, IGP, deployment of high-powered police investigation team, armoured personnel carrier, APC, three units of police mobile force, PMF, and anti-robbery equipment to Kwara State to carryout discreet investigation into the banks robbery, prevent further attacks and bring perpetrators to justice.

The Police teams engaged in massive raids of identified criminal spots and flashpoints, stop and search operations, visibility and confidence building patrols, intelligence gathering which led to the arrest of the suspects. Some of the arrest also involved serious exchange of gun fire between the Police and the suspects in their various hideouts.

The suspects arrested have admitted to the various criminal roles they played in the banks robbery attacks and are also assisting Police investigation into the incident.

One of the suspects, Adegoke Shogo, 29, native of Offa Kwara State, was arrested in Offa after the bank robbery and the attack on the Police Station. He is drug baron and also an Indian Hemp dealer in Offa Kwara State. According to intelligence gathered from cultivated and reliable informant, he is alleged to be one of the sponsors of the robbery attack and the Police Station in Offa. He has made useful statements to the roles he played in the armed robbery.

Also, Kayode Opadokun, 35, native of Offa Kwara State, was found out to have been released from Prison three months ago after serving only eight months of his sentence years for armed robbery, notorious armed robber and confirmed gang member of the Offa bank robbers. A Barrette pistol and six rounds of live ammunition was recovered from him. He has admitted to the criminal roles he played in the Offa Banks robbery.

Another member of the gang, Kazeem Abdulrasheed, 36, is from Offa, Kwara State, from whom a victim’s phone was found. He was arrested in Offa

The others are Azeez Abdullahi, 27, native of Offa Kwara State, Gang member from whom a Victim’s Phone and SIM Cards were recovered; Alexander Reuben, 39, native of Isoko LGA Delta state. He is a notorious, deadly and hardened bank robber from whom GMPGs, rocket launchers and severalrRifles were recovered in 2015. He was released from prison in December 2017, and arrested on April 11, in Lagos.

Also, Jimoh Isa, 28, native of Okene Kogi State indicted by technical intelligence generated on the bank robbers, was arrested on the April 11, in Lagos.

Three suspects namely Azeez Salawudeen, 20, Adewale Popoola, 22, and Adetoyese Muftau, 23, from whom two phones and SIM cards belonging to victims were recovered have also made confessional statements admitting to the various roles they played in the commission of the crime.

Other suspects in the net are Aminu Ibrahim, 18, arrested in Ilorin,

Richard Buba Terry, 23, and Peter Jaba Kuunfa, 25.

These three suspects in whose possession another Beretta pistol and 14 rounds of live ammunitions were recovered were arrested in connection with the Offa bank robbery. They have previously been investigated and charged to court for armed robbery and cultism. They have made confessional statements admitting to the various criminal roles they played in the recent bank robbery in Offa.

“All the suspects during investigation confessed to the various criminal roles they played in the commission of the crime, however, investigation is being intensified to arrest other suspects still at large and bring them to justice,” according to a statement by Jimoh Moshood, Force Public Relations officer.

“The Nigeria Police Force once again deeply com,miserates with the Government and People of Kwara State, most especially the people of Offa and the families of the victims. The Force will leave no stone unturned in unravelling this dastard act and bring all those responsible to justice. The Force appreciates the supports from members of the public so far and calls for calm and their cooperation to sustain the normalcy that has been restored in the State,” it said.