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EFCC ARRESTS LAGOS BIG BOYS ARMANI AND SUMBO OWNERS OF POPULAR LAGOS BAR OVER $35M FRAUD

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These 2 young men are most probably in their 30s and are undoubtedly also 2 of the wealthiest, most liquid young men in town and they are actually referred to by all as the kings of floss and flash and super luxury, as they seem to have unlimited access to funds which they have always used to satisfy their cravings and lives of fun, luxury, and floss. When these guys go on a spending spree at any point it is always so intimidating that the ground always quakes!

Their car collections alone are intimidating, to say the least, and it includes a spanking white Bentley Bentagya, 2 humongous and sparkling white Lexus 570 SUVs, 2 S Class Benz saloon cars, a black one and a white one for that and a G Wagon, a conservative estimate of their cars would be about N1B Naira and most likely far more!

These guys are probably the closest friends in the world, that you may even think they are unidentical twin brothers as they do nearly all things together, to the extent of buying their apartments next to each other and more. Sumbo is married to Tiana Omotayo, a well-known supremely beautiful, light-skinned (mixed-race at that), young and quite popular designer, who in her much younger days was the love interest of a well known, quite successful award-winning musician. The husband (Sumbo) is of Yoruba extraction just like his mixed-race wife and they have just a child. Tiana in the past has so much gist that was not necessarily palatable. His designer-obsessed tall and handsome brother/partner coolest cat of a dude, Armani. This particular dude (Armani) is a walking GQ magazine 24/7 and you can’t but admire him for his swagger. Men like him admire him and want to be like him, while ladies of all hues and shapes swoon under his spell and magical tool of emancipation. Stories abound about his dexterity as per the head game and use of his standing pole, aptly ascribed as the magic wand of excellence!

ARMANI & SUMBO

Both guys love the luxury goods-clothes, jewelry, watches, cars, and more, that they flaunt to high heaven, and both own one of the most popular and most beautiful Bar/Lounge in Lagos BUZZ BAR. Though the 2nd dude is not married, his list of conquest is immensely staggering, to say the least, and includes his darling FF who owns a world-class spa, a mother of one for a young lord, scion of a political dynasty. The lady has transformed into a staggering beauty and respectable entrepreneur over the years and very many more. To show the extent of these 2 dudes wealth, they once sprayed on a very popular musician, a high chief at that, King Wasiu Ayinde popularly known as K1 D Ultimate, who they are extremely close to N25M cash at just a party, which left everyone at the event gobsmacked in shock and admiration.

Both guys were unceremoniously arrested in a Gestapo-style raid just a day before yesterday, 29/06/2021 at about 3 pm, by nothing less than 30 well-equipped, well-armed no-nonsense EFCC men. Just before they were picked up, the security men first surrounded the whole area around their houses, which is around the Palace not too far inside Oniru. They even carried their house or door-breaking equipment, just in case of resistance of any kind. Then they made sure to collect every gadget that could be used for recording purposes from everyone and then they began their arrests. The 2 dudes were apparently taken by surprise by the raid and in the aftermath of it, their impressive garages were emptied of those impressive machines as exhibits.

Though most do not actually know the particular reason or reasons they were picked up, it is been speculated that it was either a joint action with or that it was actually instigated by the FBI! It is speculated that they may have been under surveillance for a while now, without both having any inkling whatsoever what was coming.

According to the unconfirmed gist, 7 guys have already been picked up in the US in connection to a deal of some $35M dollars, and it was one of those guys that pointed accusing fingers at both the Lagos, Nigeria based dudes, who are his acclaimed partners on deals for several years now.

Incidentally, both guys used to also live abroad too, where they also used to live the super-luxury lives of the rich and famous too, before they totally relocated here to continue their life of floss and more. It looks now like the chicken has come home to roost.

If the speculation been spread should ring true for any reason, what that portends for them is that both guys may later be extradited to the US like HushPuppi and Co, to go face the music and if like the other guy that was picked up and sentenced already and is already doing his time, if they are both found wanting, it might be the gallows for them for some years to come, probably a decade away in the cooler.

From our little findings currently, the guys, for now, feel it may have been some local business gone bad here that may be the issue and that they may be getting out of it in the next few days at the latest. But if it’s actually what we are hearing, it may be far more than that. The thing though is, they are very connected even to the political class who we gathered is their alleged adviser , and are already throwing their weights as we speak. And these highly placed people, who may want to stand up for them now in their time of urgent need are actually heavyweights. Can they actually rouse the lion to come to their aid? Would the lion be willing to get involved in this kind of case or situation, even when he himself is supposedly under investigation by the same body? Let’s just wait and see.

If the law would have its way through, then most of the assets owned by these flash boys may just come under the hammer! But peradventure they have always been smart like they try to showcase always, then they may escape from this bad time with just a little scar as a warning to cease and desist from such smartness that can easily always catch up to one.

Some are saying if they are willing to play ball that it may work out for them, with between $1M and $2M, but that can only be if it’s only just a Nigerian case and doesn’t involve the FBI has it has been speculated.

Let’s just wait and see how things turn out. Hope good for them or it’s the gulag for sure

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Just In: Dr Doyin Okupe Is Dead

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Dr. Doyin Okupe, a prominent Nigerian physician, politician, and former presidential aide, has died.

 

He passed away at the age of 72.

 

According to sources close to the family, Dr. Okupe had been critically ill in the weeks leading up to his demise.

 

His health had reportedly deteriorated significantly, prompting concern among his loved ones and supporters.

 

A reliable source confirmed that his death was linked to cancer, marking the end of a long struggle with the illness.

 

 

It was reported  in October 2023 that Okupe was hospitalized with prostate cancer and was flown to Israel for treatment.

 

However, it was learnt that his condition did not improve as he and his family expected.

 

Okupe was first diagnosed with prostate cancer 16 years ago and later developed sarcoma in his right shoulder.

 

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Society

Alleged $340,000 Fraud:  Court Adjourns Mercy Chinwo’s Ex-Manager’s Case till May 14

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Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, has adjourned the alleged $340,000 fraud case involving Ezekiel ThankGod, former manager of gospel artiste, Mercy Chinwo till May 14, 2025 for hearing.

 

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC had filed a three-count charge against him bordering on money laundering and dishonest conversion to the tune of $340,000.

 

One of the counts reads: “That you, EZEKIEL ONYEDIKACHUKWU THANKGOD and EEZEE GLOBAL CONCEPTS LIMITED sometime in 2023, directly retained the sum of $260,494 (Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand Four Hundred and Ninety-Four USD) in EEZEE GLOBAL MINISTRY Zenith Bank Plc account number, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity, the dishonest conversion of the said sum, property of Mercy Chinwo and Judith Kanayo.”

 

The offence is contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

 

He was to have been arraigned alongside his company, Eezee Global Concepts Limited, on February 17, 2025 but his absence stalled his trial. The court had also issued a bench warrant for his arrest and ordered him to appear in court today March 6, 2025 either by the subsisting bench warrant or production by his counsel.

 

His counsel, Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN had also assured that he will be in court on the adjourned date.

 

At the resumed sitting on Thursday, prosecuting counsel, Bilkisu Buhari informed the court of the prosecution’s readiness to arraign the defendant who was present in court.

 

“The matter is for arraignment and subject to the court’s overriding convenience, we are ready to commence,” she said.

 

Justice Owoeye, however, held that: “There is an administrative procedure on this matter and I cannot proceed until the determination of the procedure.”

 

The case was thereafter adjourned till May 14, 2025 for hearing.

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Society

Court Dismisses Businessman, Funtua’s Suit Seeking To Stop EFCC’s Probe Over Alleged Fraud

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A Federal High Court in Abuja and presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite has thrown out a suit seeking to compel the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AGF, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from investigating allegations of fraud and economic crimes allegedly committed by a businessman, Abu Samaila Isa Funtua.

The presiding judge dismissed the case on Monday, February 24, 2025 on the ground that the request of the businessman lacked merit and substance.

 

Delivering judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement suit against AGF and EFCC, Justice Nwite held that AGF has enormous power to take over proceedings in criminal matters but held that such enormous powers are not at large.

Justice Nwite said that under Section 43 of EFCC Act 2004, the anti-graft agency was not under any obligation to take advice from any ministry or agency to drop its statutory powers to initiate investigation into any alleged economic crimes.

The businessman had in his suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2024 sued the AGF and EFCC complaining of unlawful investigation into some business transactions involving him and others.

He alleged that EFCC was biased and mischievous in the ways and manners he was being investigated.

Specifically, Funtua alleged that EFCC was acting the script of his business adversaries to cause investigation against him without telling him the nature of his offence or show any petition against him.

Funtua subsequently asked Justice Nwite to issue an order of mandamus against the AGF to order EFCC to drop the investigation and direct any other security agency of the federal government to take over the investigation.

However, in his judgment, Justice Nwite held that Section 174 (3) of the 1999 Constitution upon which the case was predicated did not confer any power on the AGF to nominate any agency to conduct investigation into economic crimes or financial breaches.

The judge held that in the exercise of its statutory duties, the EFCC was not under any obligation to obey directives from any ministry or government department.

Justice Nwite said that Section 43 of the EFCC Act 2004, has no ambiguity to the fact that the anti-graft agency shall have powers to initiate investigation into alleged economic crimes and initiate prosecution of those indicted in the process.

He subsequently dismissed the suit for want of merit and substance.

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