News
Mother and son in hot soup for defrauding US based Nigerian N64m
The Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, May 22, 2025, brought 58-year-old Ifeoma Joe and her 34-year-old son, Chima Mike Nmerem, before Justice P.I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for allegedly defrauding a US based Nigerian of the sun of N74.4 million.
The pair is facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, and advance fee fraud—allegations linked to a bogus spiritual scheme said to be connected to a murder case in the United States.
According to court filings, between September and December 2024, Joe allegedly posed as an associate of Evangelist Uma Ukpai, a renowned Christian preacher, and convinced the victim to part with millions of naira for “spiritual cleansing” and to allegedly bribe detectives involved in her son’s homicide case abroad.
“That you, Ifeoma Joe, between September 10 and December 17, 2024, in Oyigbo, Rivers State, obtained the sum of ₦64,486,180 from Mrs. Felicia Ekwutasi Ikeh under the pretext that the funds were needed for spiritual cleansing and to influence detectives in a U.S. murder case—claims you knew to be false,” one of the charges read.
Investigators allege that Joe, after being introduced by the victim’s sister, created the illusion of speaking directly with Evangelist Uma Ukpai using a fake voice over a spoofed phone number. The victim claimed she regularly received “prayers” and prophetic instructions from this impersonated cleric.
As part of the scheme, Joe demanded an initial ₦900,000 for an altar sacrifice, followed by further requests totaling tens of millions of naira. She also allegedly instructed payments for donations to orphanages, spiritual offerings, bribes for detectives, and even gifts to an employer who would supposedly rehire the victim’s son once spiritual obstacles were cleared.
Funds totaling $38,450 in naira equivalent were reportedly paid into a bank account operated by Nmerem, which was allegedly used to funnel the proceeds.
Both defendants pleaded “guilty” when the charges were read in court. Prosecution counsel K.U. Udus informed the court of a ready witness and sought an immediate review of the case, but Justice Ajoku adjourned the matter to May 28, 2025, due to time constraints.
The court also ordered that the accused be remanded in EFCC custody pending further proceedings.
News
Breaking: Court of Appeal rules in favour of Turaki -led PDP candidate for Osun governorship election
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in Osun State was validly nominated by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.
The court also ordered INEC to list the PDP logo on the ballot ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
The Court held that access code is neither a creation of the Constitution nor the Electoral Act; rather, a creation of INEC’s guidelines and cannot, in any way, override the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 288 of the Constitution does not specify the method for nominating candidates; it only states that the names of candidates should be forwarded to the Commission.
The court further held that the defendant (INEC) should take steps to include the name of the appellant on the ballot paper.
Additionally, the court ruled that the primary election conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was a valid primary election in law.
The three-man panel of justices—Justice Mahmud, Justice Jaro, and Justice Ankawere, was unanimous in its judgment.
News
Breaking: NHRC sets up situation room to monitor and document hate speech, intimidation, threat to life ahead 2027
The national Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has set up a situation room to monitor and document all incidences of hate speech, intimidation and threat to life by politicians and other actors ahead of the 2027 general election.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference.
He said the situation room would enable the Commission harvest data, analysis and document persons, agencies and others involved in the negative statements in order to ensure they are properly tracked and brought to book by relevant agencies.
Ojukwu also took journalists on a tour of the newly set up situation room.
Details later…..
News
Breaking: NHRC expresses concern over rising incidences of hate speech, threat to life ahead 2027 elections
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
At a press conference in Abuja Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, recalled statements credited to Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Sheikh Yahya Jingir and described the das dangerous with capacity to set the nation ablaze.
He called on politicians, religious and traditional rulers, among other stakeholders to call their supporters and faithful to orders.
He urged government to act before rhetorics turn to violence, saying the forthcoming election in Osun State should serve as example of Nigeria’s capacity to conduct political contest in compliance with international best practices.
Details later…..
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