• A trending video has shown a lady’s epic reaction when she met internet personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, at the airport
• The lady, a serving corps member, was overwhelmed with emotion and stuttered as she made a video with the calm VeryDarkMan
• While many people trolled the lady over her outburst of emotion on seeing VeryDarkMan, others excused her behaviour

A serving corps member, @alao_eunice, has shared a video on TikTok showing her emotional reaction when she met VeryDarkMan aboard an aeroplane.

In the clip, the thrilled lady couldn’t keep calm as she interacted with VeryDarkMan and made a video with him for her sister, Mercy Owolabi, whom she said is his biggest fan.

A lady loses her composure after meeting VeryDarkMan at the airport.
Photo Credit: @alao_eunice
Source: TikTok

Lady speaks on meeting VeryDarkMan at airport

“My sister loves you so much. She is crazy about you. Mercy Owolabi,” the lady told VeryDarkMan while stuttering.

She further informed him that her sister was waiting at the airport and looked forward to seeing him. A calm VeryDarkMan gave a shoutout to the lady’s sister while speaking to the camera.

Read also

Lady in tears as theives break into new shop weeks after taking loan to launch it: “Cruel world”

“Mercy Owolabi, how are you doing? Merry Christmas and happy new year in advance,” VeryDarkMan said.

Speaking about her emotional outburst on seeing the celebrity, the lady admitted that she never expected that she would behave that way, as she is not usually moved by celebrities.

She further said she had been on flights with celebrities and even turned down some of their offers to take pictures, but when she got close to VeryDarkMan, she said she lost her steeze and composure.

She observed that celebrities carry a kind of sparkle that overwhelms one in proximity with them, and VeryDarkMan wasn’t any different. In her words:

“Guys… I couldn’t believe I actually got nervous and started stuttering around a celebrity 😭✨ Normally, I’m that person who doesn’t get moved. I’ve been on flights, met a couple of celebrities before, even had some ask me to take pictures and I said no because I just… don’t freeze over celebrities. But then… I met VDM at the airport. I told my sister, who’s his biggest fan ever, that I might make a video for her. And she was screaming on the other line, so excited. And then, when I got close…

Read also

“Babygirl took a little break”: Lady missing 8 days found at boyfriend’s house, story goes viral

“I completely lost my composure. I was stuttering, shaking, I was a mess guys😅 Honestly, celebrities carry this kind of sparkle that just overwhelms you, and I could feel it being around him. So yeah… that’s how I lost my steeze, my composure, and my aura went straight to zero 🥲✨ Hopefully, I’ll recover soon… but for now, let’s just say Zero steeze.”A lady says she lost her composure when she got close to VeryDarkMan.
Photo Credit: @alao_eunice
Source: TikTok

Watch her video below:

Reactions trail lady’s meeting with VeryDarkMan

Legit.ng has compiled some reactions to the lady’s meeting with VeryDarkMan below:

Chiks🫦 said:

“Wizkid, Dbanj, Timaya, Kizz , Duncan, Davido these are celebrities I love and can remember I’ve been in same close space with and I wasn’t star struck. But guess who I was star struck for. MARY REMY NJOKU 😭😭 I couldn’t control my emotions. One of my role models.”

Chisom Ifeanyi said:

“My love u have the right to react anyhow u want to react when u see someone u like for the first time is normal.”

Oluwonder said:

“Omo anytime I see celebrity, I go do like say I no see them make they no vex say I no greet them.”

CHI_SOM🧚‍♀️💕 said:

“Imagine? 😂😭I can only say sir pls let’s take a picture (if I want to 🙄) buh for this one mbahhh 😂😭make I get bp cause say I see celebrity.”

Read also

“I was so confused”: Lady figures out the marital status of Apostle Joshua Selman, post trends

Ceph_code said:

“There’s one thing I’ve always loved to have… influence + positive impact.”

SIM_2 said:

“First of all, you no get steeze, aura and whatever composure before ma.”

Gillian 💙💦☯️ said:

“Awww I was just smiling throughout the video.”

Dera nwa said:

“Please next time take a deep breath 😩and calmly make your video.”

Biggest 💪🇬🇭🇳🇬🇹🇷 said:

“Don’t mind there comment ooo them go do pass you self if them there favorite 😻 darki till death.”

In a related story, Legit.ng reported that a lady had shared a video of VeryDarkMan in a community playing ball with children.

Videographer shares her experience with VeryDarkMan

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a videographer who approached VeryDarkMan to work with him shares his response.

The lady approached VerDarkMan at the event and introduced herself as a huge fan. A video captured the lady’s bold move as she asked VDM for an opportunity to collaborate with him professionally.

Read also

“God, forgive me”: Lady who wishes to marry Joshua Selman speaks out, mentions who she saw

VeryDarkMan’s response was brief, as he asked if she could operate a drone, to which she replied in the negative. Despite this, he promised to take her phone number, igniting hope for a potential collaboration. The lady expressed her gratitude towards him for giving her the chance to showcase her work.

Source: Legit.ng

SOURCE PAGE

A Nigerian man has taken to social media to express outrage after suspecting that his course representative may have inflated the cost of a departmental textbook for personal gain.

According to the man, doubts arose when the course representative announced a textbook price that seemed unusually high.

Acting on instinct, he stated that he decided to verify the actual cost of the book and the recent phone purchase proves that the amount charged to students was significantly above the real price.

He said that the situation became more suspicious after the course representative was later seen with a brand-new iPhone 17 Pro Max, prompting speculation that students’ money may have been misappropriated.

The man added that if he were not positioned to become the next course representative, there would be an issue.

He said in part …

“I talk am say that textbook no be N8,500. Something in me told me ‘bro go and verify’ if I no be me course rep next session…”

In reaction, one netizen @PRINCE STAMP FLOORING DESIGN shared: “why this video come now way we dey get class issue about this same thing,and nah same human Anatomy 🤣🤣🤣”

@E🖤L💙M💜A said: “Jezzz I talk am oooo. Because she just buy am last month ooo”

@danny_oyie remarked: “the textbook nah 2500
the remaining 6000 x 200 students nah 1.2m
why E no go buy 17 pro max
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣”

Watch video below …

@uzebe_7

Just for cruise……..😂😂😂😂 #zebvii #goviral #foryoupagе #fyp #igboamaka

♬ original sound – ZEB Vii

SOURCE PAGE

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has dismissed growing concerns that Nigeria was drifting towards a one-party state, describing such claims as “an odious comment” by those he called “internally displaced politicians.”

Basiru stated this on Monday during an interview on Prime Time on ARISE NEWS, where he defended the dominance of the ruling party, the wave of defections to the APC, and the policies of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Responding to concerns that multi-party democracy was weakening, Basiru said Nigeria remained firmly a multiparty state, pointing to the spread of political parties controlling different states across the country.

“I don’t think so. I think it’s a very odious comment and opinion by those I call internally displaced politicians,” he said.

“Today we have multiparty democracy even well illustrated by the spread of the political parties that are in control of various states in Nigeria.”

He noted that while the APC currently controls 27 states, other parties still hold governorship positions.

“Yes, my party, the APC has 27 governors, the PDP has five governors, APGA has one, NNPP has one, and AP party just got a governor,” Basiru said, asking, “What other illustration of multiparty democracy do you have?”

He argued that multiparty democracy did not require the ruling party to weaken itself for the opposition’s sake.

“Multiparty democracy does not mean that the ruling party should allow itself to be weakened, should become indolent and complacent,” he said.

“If multiparty democracy means canvassing your ideas, expressing freedom of association, freedom of information and freedom to organise, then definitely Nigeria is a multiparty democracy and working stronger.”

The APC scribe also rejected allegations that the Tinubu administration was weaponising anti-corruption agencies against opposition figures, insisting that law enforcement institutions were independent.

“I must immediately address the erroneous impression which is rather ridiculous for people to say that the presidency is weaponising EFCC. There’s no such thing like that,” Basiru said.

He cited examples of APC members facing prosecution to counter claims of selective justice.

“Governor Bello is a prominent member of our party and is currently standing trial before at least two courts in Nigeria. Is that victimisation?” he asked.

Basiru added that politicians with clean records had nothing to fear.

“If you don’t have skeleton in your cupboard, nobody should be afraid that anybody will go after you,” he said.

“Do you have immunity against criminal investigation or criminal prosecution just for the fact that you belong to opposition?”

Drawing parallels with Tinubu’s past, Basiru recalled that the president himself had once been subjected to anti-corruption trials.

“When our now president was prosecuted before the Code of Conduct Tribunal to full trial, that did not stop Bola Tinubu from continuing to organise and mobilise the opposition,” he said.

Addressing claims that governors were defecting to the APC to escape prosecution, Basiru dismissed the argument as illogical.

“People are harassing and saying some very unpalatable comment about governors who have defected as if they did not know that under the Nigerian law a sitting governor has immunity against criminal prosecution,” he said.

He cited reasons publicly given by defecting governors, including infrastructure projects and federal support.

“When governors had come forward to say the reasons why they decided to join the APC, the governor mentioned four important factors,” Basiru said, referencing road construction, electrification projects, and federal waivers granted under Tinubu’s administration.

He further rejected reports that the APC was scheming to secure bloc votes from specific regions to guarantee Tinubu’s re-election.

“That’s a fallacy,” he said. “We are creating a pan-Nigerian political party and the strength of the APC is all over Nigeria.”

He described claims that the party was targeting votes from the South-South and North-Central as “fertile imagination,” adding, “We have become a pan-Nigerian political party, we propagate our party and our programmes and get membership acceptance from Nigerians from all walks of life.”

Responding to suggestions that Tinubu was losing support in the North, Basiru cited recent election outcomes as evidence of APC’s strength.

“The barometer for acceptance of the president and political party is election,” he said. “Elections are not done on the pages of newspapers. They are not done in the studio of ARISE Television. They are done with the masses.”

He added that in the most recent elections, the APC won the majority of available seats.

On the economy, Basiru insisted that Tinubu’s reforms were yielding results, particularly in inflation and food prices.

“Just today (Monday) 14.5% is the inflation rate. On the contrary, it was about 34% in 2024,” he said, claiming that food prices had declined significantly.

“The uppermost bag of rice in Nigeria today is ₦60,000. In the corresponding period last year, it was about ₦100,000,” Basiru said, urging Nigerians to “go and price.”

Acknowledging initial hardship following subsidy removal and naira reforms, he maintained that the economy was stabilising.

“We thank God today that Nigerians are beginning to see the good side effect of the fact that we are now recalibrating Nigeria’s economy,” he said.

Basiru admitted that insecurity remained a challenge but rejected claims that no progress had been made.

“To say that we have not made advancement in the past two and a half years of the Bola Tinubu administration would not be correct,” he said.

He pointed to improvements in the South-East and parts of Southern Kaduna, while conceding that insecurity had not been completely eradicated.

“It’s a lingering problem… and we are very serious and very committed in being able to do so,” he added.

Defending Nigeria’s intervention in neighbouring Benin Republic, Basiru said the move was lawful, strategic and later ratified by the National Assembly.

“If there’s a major crisis in Benin, how do you envisage that will not spill over to Nigeria?” he asked.

He added that swift action was sometimes necessary. “Time is essential in terms of intervention in such a kind of matter,” Basiru said, noting that parliamentary approval followed shortly after.

He also defended the nomination of former INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and other names that raised controversy on the ambassadorial list.

“Everybody is presumed to be innocent until proven otherwise,” he said, adding that none of the nominees was facing criminal prosecution.

On Yakubu’s nomination, he said, “There’s no law inhibiting somebody who has served his country creditably well from being appointed as an ambassador.”

He stressed that APC had both wins and losses under Yakubu’s watch at INEC. “Even under Professor Mahmood Yakubu, our party lost elections,” Basiru said.

SOURCE PAGE

The Senate has directed the National Security Adviser (NSA) to investigate fake reports circulating about the health of the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.

The resolution was adopted on Tuesday during plenary following a point of order raised by Senator Titus Zam, who drew attention to false reports on media platforms alleging that Akpabio suffered a health emergency and was rushed to a hospital in London.

Zam described the misinformation as unacceptable and called for those responsible to be identified and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

Responding while presiding over the plenary, Akpabio lamented the growing difficulty in regulating media content, particularly reports concerning politicians, and described some publications on online platforms as “garbage in, garbage out,” highlighting the difficulty in curbing falsehoods.

This development follows recent online rumors alleging Akpabio’s collapse and hospitalization, which his aides have firmly denied as “fake news.”

Photos of Senate President presiding over senate plenary:

SOURCE PAGE

Former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has spoken publicly on whether she intends to remarry following the death of her husband, former President Muhammadu Buhari.

She made it clear that remarriage is not part of her plans, stressing that the decision is based on practicality and personal reflection, not morality or public expectation.

Her position became public during the unveiling of a new biography on the late former president at the State House in Abuja on Monday.

The book, authored by Dr Charles Omole, offers rare personal insights into Buhari’s life, leadership, and family, including Aisha Buhari’s thoughts on life after widowhood.

“She will not remarry, she says, almost with a shrug,” Aisha Buhari told Omole during interactions captured in the book.

The biography further explains that her choice is rooted in her stage of life and family responsibilities.

“It is not a moral pronouncement so much as a pragmatic one: she has grandchildren; one husband was enough.”

The author presents her stance as a deliberate rejection of societal pressure often placed on widows. “In a culture that sometimes reads remarriage as betrayal or saintliness, her answer refuses both scripts. It is simply a woman naming the contours of her future.”

According to the book, Aisha Buhari is preparing for a quieter and more private phase of life. She intends to divide her time between family commitments, humanitarian work, and personal travel.

“Her plans are domestic and cosmopolitan at once. She will holiday with friends and associates.

She will dote on grandchildren so they will remember her not as a moving figure behind tinted glass but as a presence in their childhood rooms.”

The former First Lady is also expected to continue her philanthropic efforts. “She will run her foundation, the Aisha Buhari Foundation, and the cardiovascular and medical centre in Kano that has already completed over two hundred procedures.”

“She will host, collaborate, and extend the same ethic of care that animated her politics into a quieter, more sustainable hospitality,” the book added.

Omole described her current outlook as a conscious withdrawal from years of intense public scrutiny. “If the republic expects a politics of eternal return, she offers a politics of departure instead: let others take the stage; let the house heal,” he wrote.

The biography also reflects on the complexity of her years as First Lady. “For Aisha Buhari, her marriage served as both a refuge and a trial.”

“It gave her a platform to voice her opinions, only to punish her for doing so. It opened doors to the decision-making spaces, but those spaces became unwelcoming.”

“In 2014, she was entrusted with meeting the nation’s expectations; by 2014, she was excluded from acknowledgement,” the text noted.

Muhammadu Buhari married Aisha Buhari, née Halilu, on December 2, 1989, after his divorce in 1988. Born in 1971 in Adamawa State, she became Nigeria’s First Lady in 2015 when Buhari assumed office as president.
Their marriage lasted 35 years and produced five children.

Recall, Buhari passed away in mid-July 2025 in a London hospital, marking the end of a significant chapter in Nigeria’s political history.

SOURCE PAGE

The United States Government has warned that any Nigerian who is involved in visa fraud will face serious consequences.

The caution is contained in a post by the US Embassy in Abuja on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, December 15, 2025.

The government noted that submitting fake documents as well as providing false information in a bid to get the visa can lead to a permanent visa ban, meaning that the affected individuals will not be able to gain entry into the United States again.

The US Embassy in its post said, ‘’Visa fraud has serious consequences. Lying or providing fake documents can lead to permanent visa bans under U.S. immigration law. This means you will never go.’’

This seems to have reinforced the tough stance of the US President, Donald Trump, on immigration since he got into office for his second term, vowing mass deportation of criminals who illegally gained entry into the United States.

US, FG to work together

The advisory from the US Government coincides with the meeting between the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills and Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, in Abuja.

The two top government officials discussed areas of cooperation by their respective countries, with Ambassador Mills noting that the US Government looks forward to continuing to work with Nigeria on issues of mutual concern.

‘’US Ambassador Mills and Nigerian Foreign Minister Tuggar met today to discuss areas of cooperation between our two countries. The United States looks forward to continuing to work together with Nigeria on issues of mutual concern,’ the US Embassy added.

What you should know

This is not the first time that the United States Government is threatening permanent visa ban for travellers who violate its immigration rules.

Recall that in March 2025, the US Government travellers against overstaying their visas, threatening to permanently ban them from coming into the country, as well as face criminal prosecution.

It stated that consular officers have full access to immigration history and will know about past violations.

The mission also stated that it is the responsibility of individuals to use their visas correctly.

The US mission in Nigeria, in its statement, said, ‘’If you overstay your U.S. visa, you could face a permanent ban on traveling to the United States as well as criminal prosecution. Consular officers have full access to your immigration history and will know about past violations. There is no such thing as an “honest mistake” – it is your responsibility to use your visa correctly.’’

Meanwhile, President Trump had in June 2025, announced travel restriction policy imposing a ban on citizens of 12 countries from entering the United States.

In addition to this, visitors from seven other nations faced heightened entry restrictions.

Follow us for Breaking News and Market Intelligence.




SOURCE PAGE

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has presented degree certificates to six inmates of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, Abuja.

The graduation ceremony was held in Abuja and marked another milestone in the university’s partnership with the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).

The Controller-General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, praised the inmates for their determination to pursue education despite being in custody, describing the achievement as proof of the power of rehabilitation through learning.

Degrees earned while in custody

“The graduates, who pursued various NOUN programmes while incarcerated, received their degrees in different fields, which include two Master’s degrees in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, and four Bachelor’s degrees in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Political Science, Criminology and Security Studies,” the statement read.

Nwakuche said the programme reflected NOUN’s commitment to inclusive education and the Correctional Service’s focus on reform and reintegration.

Education as tool for reintegration

Represented by his deputy, Dr Amos Kupan, the Controller-General said education provides inmates with skills and hope for a better future after release.

NOUN’s representative, Dr Francis Enobore, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to expanding educational access across custodial centres, while a graduate representative expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn while in custody.

SOURCE PAGE

By Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Kwara state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) yesterday said no fewer than 507 persons were killed by suspected bandits between January and November 2025 in the state.

Besides, the party said at least 377 people were abducted across major flashpoints in the state.

The state chairman of the party, Hon. Bawa Adamu said this in Ilorin on Monday during a press conference in Ilorin on the state of the nation.

Adamu said the worst development had affected the people of Ifelodun, Patigi, Edu, Ekiti, Isin, and Irepodun local government areas of the state.

According to him, “A recent study by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) revealed that between January and November 2025, over 507 persons were killed, and at least 377 people were abducted across major flashpoints in Kwara.

“The worst-hit Local Government Areas have been Ifelodun, Patigi, Edu, Ekiti, Isin, and Irepodun. Recent tragic incidents include the brutal killing of close to 100 vigilantes in Patigi, 38 worshippers kidnapped in Eruku, several killed and kidnapped in Babanla,11 abducted in Isapa, and several others kidnapped in Agbeku community, among many unreported cases.

“The people of Oke-Ode will never forget the September 28 massacre, when bandits launched a brutal attack on their community, leaving hunters, vigilantes, traders, a traditional leader, and young men murdered in brutal manner.

“More than 15 people were killed and many properties were destroyed on that bloody day.

“A day before the attack, villagers alleged that a government agent described as a military man visited the community and disarmed local hunters and vigilantes, claiming the weapons were to be serviced. Hours after he left the community, the bandits struck”.

The chairman who was represented at the press conference by the state secretary of the party, Hon. Kayode Abdullahi Alase added that, “Every life lost to insecurity, every gunshot injury suffered by innocent citizens, every family displaced, every community abandoned, every ransom paid, and every property destroyed across Kwara State can be linked to the unchecked activities of these criminal elements”.

On the recent video being circulated on the social media on the arrest of suspected bandits at Auchi in Edo state with the vehicle van of Ifelodun local government area of the state, Hon. Adamu said that, “We are deeply disturbed by the widely circulated video and reports of arrested bandits apprehended by men of the Nigerian Army in faraway Auchi, Edo State.

“In the said video, the criminal suspects categorically alleged that officials of the Kwara State Government supplied them with AK-47 rifles and a government-crested operational vehicle for their criminal activities.

“This development places an enormous burden of explanation squarely on the doorstep of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who is not only the Chief Executive of the state but constitutionally the Chief Security Officer of Kwara State.

“This is a direct allegation of state-sponsored criminality that must not be swept under the carpet.

“The suspects did not claim to have stolen the weapons. They did not claim to have bought them from unknown black markets.

“They did not claim to have ambushed security operatives and hijacked them.

“The arrested criminals spoke clearly and repeatedly that the weapons came from officials of the Ilorin Government, and that the vehicle used was a government patrol van procured by the AbdulRazaq-led administration and distributed to local governments councils in the State.

“This raises a frightening question “Who has been providing weapons for those terrorizing communities and killing the innocent people of Kwara?”.

While calling the federal government to set up a probe panel to investigate the issue, Hon. Adamu said that, such investigation would go a long way of bringing those involved in the act into book.

Meanwhile, the state government has exonerated itself on any complicity in the video that went viral over the weekend on the arrest of suspected criminals by the Nigerian Army.

In a statement by the state commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, the state government said that it did not give weapon to any individual, adding that, “indeed no state government has the power to arm anyone with AK-47”.

The statement, which said that the individuals mentioned in the crime did not state that Kwara State Government gave them any weapon, added that the Ifelodun Local Government Authority had clarified that the security van was given to the vigilantes initially deployed in Ifelodun to strengthen existing security.

“These vigilantes have since left Ifelodun. However, the LGA had repeatedly complained to relevant authorities that its van was not returned to its pool.

“To win the war against banditry and other violent crimes, we urge enhanced interagency coordination, intelligence sharing, and cooperation amongst the security agencies.

“As the security forces are probing the development, we urge people, especially online media platforms and bloggers, to avoid biased assimilation of information or misrepresenting things, because such behaviour poses existential threat to human life and public peace”.

SOURCE PAGE

Elon Musk has become the first person in history to surpass a net worth of $600 billion, with his fortune now estimated at $677 billion, according to Forbes.

The surge in Musk’s wealth is largely driven by the soaring valuation of his private space company, SpaceX. Earlier this month, the company conducted a tender offer that valued it at $800 billion, doubling its August valuation of $400 billion, investors told Forbes.

Musk owns about 42 per cent of SpaceX, and the revised valuation alone added an estimated $168 billion to his personal wealth. Forbes now values his SpaceX stake at $336 billion, making it his most valuable asset.

The tender offer comes ahead of a possible SpaceX initial public offering in 2026, which one investor said could value the company at as much as $1.5 trillion. Such a move could potentially make Musk the world’s first trillionaire, even without additional gains from his other businesses.

Musk’s 12 per cent stake in Tesla is valued at about $197 billion, while his Tesla stock options from the 2018 CEO performance award—voided by a Delaware judge in January 2024—are currently worth $69 billion, pending the outcome of his appeal.

His artificial intelligence company, xAI, has also contributed significantly to his growing fortune. The company is reportedly raising funds at a valuation of $230 billion, more than double the $113 billion valuation Musk cited earlier this year following its merger with social media platform X. Musk owns 53 per cent of xAI, a stake valued at roughly $60 billion.

With an estimated $425 billion gap between him and the world’s second-richest person, Google co-founder Larry Page, Forbes notes that Musk is now closer to a $700 billion net worth than to losing his position as the world’s richest individual.

The post Elon Musk becomes first person to surpass $600bn net worth appeared first on Vanguard News.

SOURCE PAGE

The Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Division of the High Court has sentenced Chukwudi Henry Onwuka, a former Relationship Manager with a first-generation bank in the State capital, to 40 years in prison for defrauding his friend of N67,510,000 under the guise of facilitating the purchase of $157,000 Forex.

Onwuka’s co-accomplice, Eze Joshua Chinedu, whose account was used in the sleazy transactions, was also sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The presiding judge, Justice Archibong Archibong, found the 47-year-old banker guilty on all four-count charge bordering on “obtaining by false pretence, stealing, aiding and abetting, “contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and the Criminal Code Laws of Akwa Ibom State.”

Onwuka, a father of three from Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, was convicted alongside Chinedu, the Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jec-Mega World Investment Limited, whose bank account received the stolen funds.

According to Court records, the victim, Toochi Obianom, an Onitsha-based financial consultant and currency dealer, had reported the matter to the Police at the Uyo Area Command on March 23, 2017.

The petitioner recalled that on March 17, 2017, the banker called him, claiming that one of his customers, Jec-Mega World Investment Limited, had $157,000 available for sale.

Onwuka was said to have instructed him to transfer the Naira equivalent of N67.510 million to the company’s First Bank account, with the assurance that he would receive the Dollar equivalent within 30 minutes.

Trusting his longtime friend, Obianom transferred the cash in two tranches: N39,450,000 on March 17, 2017, and
Another N28,060,000 was deposited on March 21, 2017, into First Bank Account 1000455243, operated by Chinedu’s company, bringing the total to N67,510,000.

However, the promised $157,000 was never delivered, and all efforts to recover the money, according to the complainant, proved abortive.

In his statement, Chinedu admitted to allowing his account to be used but insisted that he was unaware of Onwuka’s criminal intentions, adding that the banker was his account officer and had informed him that the funds were intended for contract settlement.

“I did not know he had other sinister criminal intentions,” Chinedu testified.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge, prompting a full trial.

During the trial, the prosecution called four witnesses, including the victim, and tendered 10 documentary exhibits, while the defendants testified in their own defence without calling additional witnesses.

However, in his judgment, Justice Archibong held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and consequently sentenced Chinedu (the 2nd defendant) to 20 years, with 10 years for each count to run concurrently.

“For the second defendant, I hereby find you guilty of counts 4 and 5 and accordingly convict you. The punishment for the offence is a term of not less than 10 years’ imprisonment without option of fine,” the Court ruled.

For Onwuka (1st defendant), Justice Archibong found him guilty on counts 1, 2, 3, and 4, and consequently sentenced him to a combined term of 40 years’ imprisonment, with each count attracting 10 years, to run concurrently.

The Court further ordered the convict to refund the N67,510,000 million to the victim.

SOURCE PAGE