''How Robbers Stole My ATM And Cleaned Out My Account'' - Lady Narrates

 A primary school teacher identified as Evi Iwaha(pictured above) has narrated how some robbers attacked her,took her ATM card and cleared her account in the early hours of Saturday January 30th.

She narrated her story to The Nation. "It happened a few minutes to 6.00am; I’d boarded a bus supposedly to Oshodi from Obanikoro. No sooner had the bus moved than they sprang into action. The first thing they did was grab my phone; ‘What do you do? Where are you coming from?’one of them asked. I was hopeful that they’d take pity on me, having told them I was just a primary school teacher.

Why bother to ask if it meant nothing to them? After rummaging through my wallet, they found two ATM cards and some cash. The question that followed hit me with a bang. ‘What’s your pin number?’ Instinctively, I hesitated for a while, but a resounding slap on my face soon got me spilling it out. These guys were actually going to do the unimaginable. They were going to clear my account. To think that I was about experiencing stories that had seemed far away. I looked up in time to see another member of the gang, sitting in the front seat. They called him officer. I don’t know if he was some military officer or if the name was just a code name. Even though I was still a little dazed from the slap, I couldn’t but notice the gun that hung loosely in the man’s hand, as he spoke to his colleague. He quickly handed the ATM cards to another member who played the role of a bus conductor. The driver slowed down at my inquisitor’s command, and the bus conductor jumped off the bus on his way to emptying my accounts. I silently wished I had payed the money into my friend’s account, he had asked me to do so to avoid spending it, since I’m saving towards paying my rent. Meanwhile, while we awaited the arrival of the messenger, the bus kept going round and round. In the process, the two women I met on the bus were told to disembark, and two others, a guy and his girlfriend were picked up at the next stop. They were lucky, as they didn’t have any ATM card on them. They were ripped of their phones and the only one thousand Naira note the guy had on him. They had also searched the lady who came on at the same time as I did. Obviously they didn’t get much from her. I was their sacrificial lamb. Soon my phone beeped – an indication that the money had been withdrawn. Then they drove back to the spot where they had dropped off the bus conductor, picked him up and drove off. By all means, it was a smooth operation, and we were home-bound now. I silently prayed that they dropped me off at a safe place. All along, I didn’t know where we were because I had been sitting on the floor of the bus. Suddenly, the bus pulled to a stop and we were all told to alight. I discovered that they had dropped us at the toll-gate. My inquisitor who had promised to give me transport money to take me home had either forgotten or couldn’t care less. They zoomed off as soon as we were all out of the bus. I stood there thinking of how to get to my place in Gbagada, until one good Nigerian who happened to be passing by came to my rescue by giving me N100, my exact fare home.”she said

“I'm Into Dating, I Just Tried My Luck By Blackmailing MKO's Wife”- Fraudster Confesses

 Caleb Nzube, 26, allegedly hacked the Twitter handle of Mrs Tinu Abiola, the wife of late Chief MKO Abiola, downloaded her picture and using photoshop, designed a web page showing the woman carrying a human skull. He then posted it on his website, with a story that she was caught while carrying out a ritual with the skull.

He threatened to make the news go viral if Tinu didn't give him $5000. A traumatized Mrs Abiola, petitioned the IG of police, Solomon Arase, and Caleb was arrested at Obosi, Anambra State.

It was gathered that Mrs Abiola was not the suspect’s only victim, as a serving Senator and two others were also being harassed by him on the social media.

In a confessional interview with Vanguard, Caleb admitted that  he is an internet fraudster as he specialised in online dating before venturing into blackmailing thinking it was more lucrative.

Disclosing he spent hours on the social media searching for prominent Nigerians, Nzube said his targets are mainly rich politicians, popular businessmen and socialite.

He said he goes after these set of people because he thinks they are usually sensitive to what is said about them in the public

“I started following Mrs Timu Alade Abiola on Twitter and I got her pictures. I felt she was a good catch and I decided to blackmail her. I used Photoshop to make it look like she was carrying a human skull.

I designed a web page with a little gossip story on it that she was caught for ritual. I sent her the link and when she saw it I demanded she pays me $5000 or I will show it to the whole world.

One of her friends came in and begged that I shouldn’t do it and that they were ready to pay me $ 2000. I rejected the money, insisting that I must collect $5000. .

.

Later they discovered I was Igbo and they gave my number to an Igbo girl who started talking to me and I accepted their offer, what got me angry was that while we were still talking, they sent a fishing link that destroyed my website which I have been maintaining for more than 4 years.

That website had paid me little money I have used in sustaining myself. I told the Igbo girl about it and that if I don’t get the money before the end of the week I will show the web page to the whole world.

She asked for my account, I gave it to her but before I knew what was happening, the police came and arrested me. I don’t understand why she has to bring in the police; I told the girl that what I needed was for her to tell her madam to just pay me for my website they destroyed.

In fact I regret all this, if I had known it will be this messy I would have not ventured into this. What I do is only dating. I just wanted to try my luck on this one", he lamented.

Pastor Accused of Diverting Church Funds Commits Suic*de

 A 49-year-old pastor, identified simply as Bassey, has reportedly slashed his throat after he was accused by his church members of diverting funds for personal use.

It was learnt that the incident happened last Monday around 5am on Abari Street in the Mulero, Dopemu area of Lagos.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the suicide was reported to the police at the Dopemu divison, and policemen deposited his remains in a morgue, while his wife, called Iya Emmanuel, and son, Emmanuel, were arrested in connection with the incident.

It was learnt that the pastor had written a short note, stating that his family was not complicit in his 

death.

A police source told Punch that preliminary investigation revealed that the pastor was frustrated after he was accused by the church of diverting the undisclosed sum.

“The knife used by the pastor to kill himself has been recovered. He also wrote that he killed himself. We learnt that he was accused by his church of diverting money. He was probably frustrated because his neighbours described him as a God-fearing and honest person. We are still trying to find out the actual amount involved,” the source said.

A neighbour, who identified herself as Seun Oladimeji, said the pastor had been awake in the night, walking around the passage. She said a note, which read, “I, myself, not my wife”, was found in the family’s room after his death.

“I don’t know whether he (pastor) did it because of the money issue, but he and his wife were very friendly. He woke up around 3am that day. I learnt his wife and son, Emmanuel, later begged him to go back to bed. At about 5am, the woman screamed for help. We all gathered in their room and saw blood gushing out of the pastor’s neck.

“Unknown to the woman, he hid a knife which he used to slash his throat. Before he died, he wrote on a piece of paper ‘I, myself, not my wife’. I can say it anywhere that it was not his wife who killed him. The son was just crying; he was not himself. Both of them were arrested.”

Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the pastor and his wife had a good relationship with each other, adding that she did not believe his family members had a hand in his death.

He said:

 “Pastor helped his wife with her hair before the incident. They really loved each other. Most times, while the wife washed clothes, he would be spreading it on the line.”

Another resident, Mr. Olatunde Olasunbo, said the pastor moved to the area with his family two years ago.

“I did not know his church, but he was God-fearing and very nice. He was always with his bible. Even if he diverted the church funds, suicide is not the solution. He and his wife related like siblings. They moved to this area two years ago,” he added.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident via a text message, adding that the case had been transferred to the State Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba.

“Case transferred to the SDCI for further investigation,” she stated in the text.

I Have Never Been a Director or Signatory to Sylvan McNamara - Obanikoro's Son Denies

 Gbolahan Obanikoro, the son of the former minister of State for Defense and Foreign Affairs - Musiliu Obanikoro, in this interview, clears the air on allegations against him in respect of the N4.75billion received from the embattled former NSA.

How do you respond to the allegations that you are a director of the company Sylvan McNamara Ltd and signatory to the Diamond account which allegedly received the sum of N4.75B from the National Security Adviser?

I am not and was never a director of this company and neither am I a signatory to its account or any other account related to the entity. My involvement with this company ended as far back as 2013 before all these incidents and before my father was even appointed as a Minister, so any dealings that transpired after that is of absolutely no concern or business of mine. The bank is available to confirm who the signatories to the account are, and the CAC is also available to confirm who the directors of the company are. I am positive the authorities if at all they are investigating this matter will discover this.

The online news platform Sahara Reporters, reported in story that you bought a home in 2014 as soon as the funds were transferred to Sylvan McNamara? 

What a coincidence right? And this home according to Sahara also is a hide out. It’s just silly. I bought a home in the United Kingdom in 2008. I built my home in Nigeria in 2010, and I opted to buy a town home in the United States in 2014 during which period my wife had our 3rd child.  My focus for almost a decade has always been on business and the private sector and not politics. I have been working hard and fortunate to run a successful business. So it is definitely not out of place for me, and it is most certainly not a crime to buy a house. I’m truly grateful to Almighty Allah for all he has bestowed on me and my family. 

The same online news platform alleged the funds transferred to the account were used towards the rigging of the Ekiti State Gubernatorial Elections which the current governor Ayodele Fayose was victorious. How do you respond?

It seems Sahara Reporters is the only news platform doing the reporting doesn’t it? Look its simple, MO and Sahara reporters have their own thing going on. He sued Sahara reporters both in New York and Nigeria in 2014 and since then I guess he’s had his axe to grind with him, and they’ve been going back and forth since then. Their scuffle has been in the public space for a while now. MO is a politician, and in politics all this is fair game. I’ve been roped into it as you can see, my brother also, I wonder who’s next? Unfortunately, at this time in our country, defamatory and libelous reporting or journalism isn’t restricted and anyone can wake up and say anything without proof or facts without any severe repercussion. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the reality and that is what the likes of Sahara are taking advantage of. 

According to the daily newspapers, the EFCC has begun its investigations, and unanimous sources within link you as signatories to the account?

Like I said earlier, my involvement with this company seized way back in 2013, and I challenge anyone to come forth with any evidence contrary to that. But let me say this; Justice is not served if authorities are taunting any information discovered during the course of their investigation to achieve a predetermined outcome. I think government must thread within the confides of the law. 

What are your thoughts on the Presidents anti corruption crusade? I have no problems with it at all. I believe it’s every Nigerian’s desire for corruption to be eradicated or at least significantly reduced. Steps have been taking in the past, steps will be taken now, and further steps will be taken even after President Buhari’s administration. Policies like the Cash less system, the BVN etc were all measures taken to tackle this problem prior to the President. He has now introduced additional measures and gradually as our institutions grow, the better grip we’ll have on this problem.

Have these revelations impacted you and your family in any way?  Of course! I am a young man with an adorable wife and three beautiful children, so there is a lot at stake for me. Furthermore, as a young business man these types of unguarded allegations and press have undesirable implications on one’s business. But then again, it is not surprising especially for a family like ours. The Obanikoro name is the envy of many from political opponents of my father and brother to personal adversaries. But that’s ok.  We are a God fearing Muslim family and a family deeply united with profound love and admiration for one another. We have individually and collectively accomplished a lot and as far as I am concerned the best is yet to come for the Obanikoro’s.  Insha Allah

Over 100 People Killed After Boko haram Attacked Dalori(Photos)

 At least 100 people were reportedly killed during an attack by Boko Haram members on Dalori, a settlement located on the outskirt of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital yesterday January 30th. 

Sahara Reporters reports that the sect members dressed in military uniforms, had stormed the village in 10 Hilux buses and motorcycles  and started shooting sporadically and setting houses ablaze. 

The villagers who spoke with Sahara reporters say the sect members operated unhindered for hours and stole some food items after the attack.

A resident of the village,  Ibrahim Muhammad, while narrating what happened, said that Boko Haram fighters dressed like military personnel and started opening fire on everybody:

 "All our wives and children were brutally killed while they looted and destroyed our livestock  as well as ."

 Vice Chairmn of civilians JTF in Dalori village Modu Kaka said that at least 100 dead bodies were evacuated lastmight and also stated that hundreds are still missing.

Rescue workers who participated in the evacuation the victims disclosed to Sahara Reporters that they brought out 45 dead bodies to state specialist hospital and deposited 23 corpses at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital but several burnt victims remain without help in the beleaguered village... See more photos of blast below...

Joseph and Adaeze Yobo Step Out in Style

 The former Super Eagles captain and his wife looked stylish in colour matching outfits as they stepped out today. More photos below...

Tragic : Pastor Dies Hours Before Burial Service He Was Supposed to Officiate

 Venerable Stephen Eseteru Ogue, JP, 53, of St. John’s Anglican Church, Agbarho in Ughelli, Delta State and author of several Christian books died at about 7.45 a.m. on Friday, December 11, 2015, two hours  before he was supposed to officiate at a funeral service.

He reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away at Lily Hospital, Deco Road, Warri. His first  daughter, Oghenenyoreme Ogue, said he had been suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure.

The hearse conveying the remains of the  woman whose burial the paster was supposed to preside at, mourners, including a large delegation of the church’s Women Guild as well as members of the Anglican Fasting and Prayer Society, had gathered in front of the church building as early as 9.25 a.m. for the service billed for 10.00 a.m.

Unaware of the tragedy that had occurred, the mourners waited patiently for the officiating ministers to receive the body but no pastor was in sight. Meanwhile, other  members of the church and visitors kept  trooping into the church premises for the funeral service.

Worried by the development, members of the mourning family  began to  call the vicar’s phone but someone kept answering his  asking them to exercise patient. The calls to Reverend Friday Erutere, billed to assist the venerable at the funeral service, were initially ignored until he answered  to similarly sue for patience, saying he was on his way to the church.

After about 45 minutes after the burial ceremony was supposed to start, a Toyota car, said to be owned by the vicar/archdeacon, hurried into the church premises and made its way straight to the staff quarters ,to the  relief of those waiting  outside the church. Immediately, people started regrouping around the hearse with the hope that the service would soon begin. But that didn't happen.

Eventually, 60 minutes after the scheduled time of service, Erutere, accompanied by two others, arrived at the West Door to officially receive the corpse and proceeded  with the funeral service.

After the service started, people wondered where the original pastor was, because on several occasions he had enjoined members of the Women’s Guild to be punctual for that particular service and had promised to lead the church delegation to Okpara Inland for the interment.

As the mourners departed the church for Okpara Inland, venue of the interment, there was no word about the sudden death of the vicar of the Agbarho church where another Anglican canon, Rev. Benedict  Akpoguma, took over proceedings. Put simply, neither the mourners nor well wishers, who had travelled from long distances, including Mr. John Salubi of the NNPC, Dr. Francis Eghwubare of Delta State University, Mr. Joshua Onoronimighwu of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Victor Onogagamue of Delta State Sports Commission, Barrister Joseph Ogedegbe, and a  former NBA  Chairman of Ughelli Local Government, were briefed on the reason for the funeral’s delay.

Only the first daughter, Oghenenyoreme, could volunteer comments,although, she was unable to explain the mystery behind the death of her father,  as, according to her, they were trained to submit to the will of God in all circumstances.

However, the daughter said they had prayed together that morning in accordance with family tradition, without any visible signs of danger, and the ebullient father retired to the couch in the sitting room apparently to relax.

“After a while, I noticed that daddy was no longer breathing normally and I raised the alarm to draw my mum’s attention. She quickly called the driver and we carried him to the car and drove straight to the hospital in Warri. That is all I can tell you, because nobody told us anything about his state of health until the bishop came later that day to break the sad news to us,” she tearfully narrated.