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Interpol declares 26-year-old businesswoman, Munachim Onyia wanted over N5.3bn investment fraud

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The Interpol section of the Nigerian Police Force has declared a popular Nigerian businesswoman, Munachim Onyia wanted, following her involvement in a N5.3 billion investment fraud, People Gazette reports.

Before going at large, Ms. Onyia had been running MECO Enterprises, a sole proprietorship she registered in September 2018, according to companies registration filings.

She also ran IBC Africa, an investment firm, and Muna Investment, a Ponzi scheme through which she allegedly swindled unsuspecting investors.

A warrant of arrest issued for Ms. Onyia by the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court said she is wanted for obtaining money under false pretence and pretending to be a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“She is wanted by the police for the offence of obtaining money under false pretence, the suspect falsely claimed to be a CBN agent and obtained over one Billion Naira (N1B),” a notice issued by the Interpol section of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos said.

The Lagos State Police Command has also arrested Silas Babatunde, a marketing executive who was with Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) at the time of the fraud.

The police are looking into whether or not Mr Babatunde acted alone or with the knowledge and approval of his superiors at the bank.

Mr Babatunde who was in charge of Munachim Eze Chukwuma Onyia account 0588532974 with GTB was arrested by officers at Zone 2 Command Headquarters in Lagos.

A representative of GTB confirmed that Mr Babatunde was a staff of the bank, but failed to disclose when and why he ceased to be a staff of the bank.

Babatunde Silas

“He is no longer a staff of the bank. The bank has no comment on the matter,” the official said.

However, according to sources, Mr Babatunde tendered his resignation shortly after the scam went bust and the police took him into custody for his role.

CHIVE GPS, an intelligence research analysis firm based in Lagos, initiated the petition on behalf of the victims. Many of the victims said they have been extorted repeatedly by the police and other law enforcement agencies while the principals in the fraud remain at large.

At a meeting of victims held in Ikoyi two weeks ago, victims said Ms Onyia duped them to the tune of N5.3 billion.

They also alleged that Ms Onyia had been on the run and was looking for ways to circumvent justice and reparation.

It was unclear when Ms Onyia disappeared with investors’ funds, but on May 2, when the search intensified for murdered job seeker Iniubong Umoren, her brother, Jordan Onyia, took to Twitter to declare her missing and said that she was last seen at her office in Victoria Island.

Mr Jordan also claimed that his sister’s phone number was unreachable “and seems to be with a guy that has been scamming people and us in exchange for information about her whereabouts, he asked us to send him money so as to get an address and to help her escape only for him to send an address with a dead end.”

His claim and the sympathy it gathered online were however short-lived after several users publicly accused Ms Onyia of fleeing after defrauding unsuspecting investors to the tune of billions.

Social media accounts said that while she was a student of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, in 2015, Ms Onyia lured her fellow students into partaking in a Ponzi scheme in which many were said to have invested their school fees in dollars.

The 26-year-old businesswoman reportedly disappeared with investors’ funds after a while and was also absent on social media platforms.

While many laid the accusations on Twitter, a video of Ms Onyia surfaced wherein she pretended to be a financial expert promoting Halo Invest, a financial services platform, and declaring that she was targetting $4 million investments.

This is coming only a few weeks after Nigerians were left stranded by Imagine Global Solutions Ltd, after squandering investors’ money to the tune of N22 billion, according to social media accounts of investors.

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Aviation Minister Celebrates Festive Season Through Generous Palliative Distribution In Delta

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In the spirit of the festive season, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has undertaken a remarkable act of goodwill, distributing a substantial array of food items to the people of Delta State. This benevolent initiative is aimed at fostering camaraderie and ensuring that the joy of the season is shared with all.

The extensive distribution exercise includes over 10,000 bags of rice, hundreds of cows, and rams, benefitting a wide spectrum of recipients including traditional rulers, party leaders, religious leaders, community leaders, opinion leaders, ethnic groups, and other key stakeholders. The gesture has been widely applauded as a demonstration of the Minister’s enduring connection with his roots and his commitment to the welfare of his people.

Speaking before the distribution commenced, Keyamo expressed his heartfelt motivation for this philanthropic effort, emphasizing the importance of giving back to a community that has shown him unwavering support throughout his journey. “This initiative is my humble way of reciprocating the kindness and generosity I have received from the people of Delta State. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ with my kith and kin,” he said.

Keyamo also used the occasion to call on Nigerians to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing the importance of collective effort in addressing the nation’s challenges. He underscored the need for unity, collaboration, and shared responsibility as critical factors for national development.

A proud son of Delta State, Keyamo has long been a champion of the Nigerian people’s welfare. His distinguished career as a lawyer, human rights activist, and public servant has been marked by an unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and fairness, earning him widespread admiration both at home and abroad.

The festive season distribution is yet another testament to his enduring dedication to the betterment of society and his determination to make a meaningful impact in the lives of his people.

Tunde Moshood
Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development

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Late Samuel Ogbemudia’s daughter Eghe impeached as Egor council chairman

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The legislative arms of Egor Local Government Area of Edo State have impeached the council chairman, Eghe Ogbemudia, and the vice chairman, Frank Osawe.

The legislators also suspended the leader of the legislative arms, Bosede Omokaro, Majority Leader, Iwinosa Enabulele, and Elliot Inneh Enni, the Chief Whip.

The council’s chairman and vice chairman were impeached for alleged gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial misappropriation, unlawful withholding of statutory allowances of a principal member and three other council members as well as budget padding.

The principal officers of the council were allegedly suspended for inability to collaborate effectively with the local government chairmen, particularly in ensuring timely payment of salaries,

the two-month delay in councillors’ salaries, failure to provide effective oversight and neglect of responsibilities.

The motion for their impeachment was moved by Nosakhare Isiegbuwa, seconded by Stella Ogida Osagioduwa and signed by four legislators.

The suspension of the former principal officers of the legislative arms was passed by five members, with one member absent.

The House immediately swore in Kelvin Eguakun, the leader of the legislative arm, as the acting chairman of the council.

Moving the motion for the impeachment, Nosakhare Isiegbuwa, at plenary on Friday, December 27, 2024, said the report submitted by the seven-man panel appointed to probe the allegations of gross misconduct against the chairman and vice chairman found the duo guilty of all the allegations.

In a unanimous voice vote, the councillors impeached the chairman and vice chairman.

Society Reporters learnt that the impeachment proceedings were formally documented in the Edo State Government Gazette.

The gazetted document notified the affected officials of the initiation of impeachment proceedings in line with the Edo Local Government Bye-law on Pro-Action Notices, Legislative Privileges, and Impeachment Procedures For Elected Council Officials, 2024.

Society Reporters reports that the impeached council chairman, Eghe Ogbemudia, is the daughter of the late General Samuel Ogbemudia, the former military governor of the old Midwest and Bendel states.

He was also a civilian governor of old Bendel State in 1983. He ruled for three months before the government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari was overthrown by the former military government of General Muhammadu Buhari on December 31, 1983.

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Kwara Governor, Abdulrazaq mourns late Chief of Staff, Abdulquadri Mahe

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Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State has described his late Chief of Staff, Abdulquadri Mahe, as a perfect gentleman, community leader, urbane public servant and a statesman.

In a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye in Ilorin on Saturday, governor Abdulrazaq said: ‘In total submission to the will of Allah, we regret to announce the passing of the Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Prince AbdulKadir Mahe.

“He died this morning, December 28, 2024, as has been destined by Allah.

“The late CoS will be buried today, Saturday, at his residence on Moro Street, Adewole Estate, Ilorin, after the Asr prayer.

“His Excellency deeply mourns the death of Prince AbdulKadir Mahe, a perfect gentleman, community leader, urbane public servant, and a statesman.”

The governor commiserated with the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the immediate family of Prince AbdulKadir, government establishments and cabinet members.

“We ask for the understanding of everyone at this mournful period as the government and family mourn the quintessential public servant.

“We pray that Allah accept his return, ease his accounts, admit him to al-jannah Firdaus, and uphold his family upon goodness,” the statement added.

 

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