Crime
Brisk Capital MD, Dominic Ngene Joshua in trouble again over alleged bank hack
This may read like the plot of a Nollywood crime movie: Dominic Ngene Joshua was arrested in May 2021 by the police for the alleged diversion of investors’ funds worth over N2 billion. He was subsequently charged to court and granted bail in early 2022.
But alas, a few days ago, he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over another alleged fraudulent scheme.
Who is Dominic Ngene Joshua and why is his matter raising eyebrows? He is a 21-year-old managing director of Brisk Capital Limited and a self-styled investment expert who hails from Ebonyi state.
Joshua earned notoriety in May 2021 when the police special fraud unit (PSFU) in Ikoyi, Lagos state, announced his arrest. The mugshot taken after he was nabbed for the alleged crime went viral on social media.
Prior to his arrest, several Nigerians had accused him of allegedly defrauding them of billions of naira.
The “investment expert” was said to have asked victims to invest in Bitcoin, forex trading, real estate and oil & gas with a promise of “prompt and accurate” 60 percent return on investment (ROI) per month, plus the guarantee of the invested capital.
‘HUNTED FOR VICTIMS ON SOCIAL MEDIA’
The police had claimed that Joshua lured his victims on social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, with the claim that he is a financial investor of repute that manages funds for individuals and companies.
His arrest was a respite to victims who alleged that they had been defrauded of their hard-earned resources.
Subsequently, Joshua was arraigned before the federal high court, Ikoyi unit on a 14-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence.
In March 2022, the court granted an order of interim forfeiture of the 14 landed properties linked to Joshua following an ex-parte motion filed by the police.
We understands that the crime suspect was also granted bail in the first quarter of 2022.
YET ANOTHER SCAM?
More than a year after his first arrest, Joshua was on November 1 arrested by the EFCC for allegedly participating in the hack of a commercial bank in which
N1.4 billion was allegedly stolen.
The Brisk Capital Limited MD was arrested alongside Abdumalik Salau Femi and Ismaila Yusuf Atumeyi, a candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the Kogi state assembly.
The anti-graft agency disclosed that the sums of N326 million and $610,500 were recovered in cash from the suspects.
Speaking with newsmen, Eyitayo Johnson, spokesperson of the police special fraud unit, said the fresh controversy surrounding Joshua regarding the bank hack is not within the purview of the police.
The spokesperson however confirmed that Joshua’s 2021 trial is still ongoing at the federal high court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Crime
Thieves cart away cows meant for church harvest celebration
Suspected thieves have carted away two cows from the premises of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Testimony Parish in the Egbeda area of Oyo state.
In a post published on its Facebook page, the church said the stolen cows, bought at N1.9 million, were meant for its annual adult harvest thanksgiving celebration.
The incident happened on November 11 as the church prepared for the celebration slated for November 17.
After days of searching for the missing cows, the church solicited for financial contributions to buy new cows for the harvest celebration.
“Dear Celestians and The General public, This 2 Huge Cows was stolen where it was Tied in The Church Premises at CCC Testimony parish Elerumoke Area, Egbeda, Iyana Ajia and its meant for slaughter for the 9th adult harvest thanksgiving of the church coming up this Sunday 17th November 2024,” the church wrote on Facebook.
“We hereby solicit for your prayer for quick recovery of this harvest thanksgiving sacrificial materials.
“Anybody with useful information on how to recover these cows or any means of assistance to make the harvest thanksgiving a beautiful one should contact the parish shepherd.”
Crime
NDLEA arrests businessman for smuggling cocaine through ingestion
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the arrest of a businessman caught with a large quantity of cocaine.
Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy, revealed the arrest on Sunday via his X account, accompanied by a video displaying the seized contraband.
The businessman, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly ingested a substantial quantity of cocaine in an attempt to avoid detection.
Babafemi wrote, “Detty December: Before you swallow those drugs, please remember that the new @ndlea_nigeria has the capacity and capability to catch you.
“The businessman who excreted this amount of cocaine will not only spend Christmas behind bars but also risks a life sentence at the end of his trial. Beware!”
Crime
UK teenager risks 20 years in Dubai prison for sex with 17-year-old girl
An 18-year-old British boy has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old girl in Dubai.
Detained in Dubai, a group of UAE legal experts, said the teenager was on holiday with his parents when he met the girl — who is now 18 — at the same hotel.
The teenagers who are both from London were said to have made plans to continue their romance when they returned to the UK.
The group, which campaigns to help people it says have suffered injustice in the UAE, said the young man was charged because the girl’s mother found their chats and pictures back in the UK.
It was gathered that the woman subsequently contacted police in Dubai and he was arrested.
The boy however claimed he was unaware that the girl was younger than him when they met. The teenager also disclosed that he was in police custody for three days and was unable to contact his parents.
“We had a wonderful time together. We really liked each other but she was secretive with her family because they were strict,” he told Detained in Dubai.
“My parents knew about our relationship but she couldn’t tell hers. She had to meet me without telling them it was to see a boy.
“When she left, I couldn’t wait to see her again when I got home. Then suddenly, police knocked on our hotel door. They said they were taking me in for questioning but wouldn’t tell me why. I was frightened and my parents were terrified.”
The teenager, it is understood, could face up to two decades in prison owing to Dubai’s strict laws regarding sex outside marriage.
Radha Stirling, chief executive of the campaign group, said Dubai recently legalised out-of-wedlock sex for tourists but “still hosts a strict Islamic legal system”.
“Sex outside marriage is legal for tourists but only if both parties are over 18. The girl was just a few months younger than Marcus and he didn’t know that at the time,” Stirling said.
“Since his arrest, she has turned 18. This is not something Dubai should be prosecuting.
“Parents will be scared to take their older teenagers on vacation with them where they could end up losing their lives over behaviour that’s completely legal in their own countries.”
The teenager and his family have called on foreign secretary David Lammy, their local MP, to intervene in the case.
The teenager is no longer being held in a police cell but is unable to leave the country, with his family facing bills of £2,000 for Airbnb accommodation until his case is resolved.
-
Business7 days ago
Lagos state government to commence upgrade of major junctions in Ikeja axis, seeks residents’ cooperation
-
Politics1 week ago
DSS operatives arrest man with bags of cash during Ondo guber
-
Celebrities1 week ago
Daddy Freeze, Akah Nnani clash over Emmanuel Iren
-
Special Features2 days ago
Iyabo Ojo, Brainjotter, Dayo Oketola, Penzaarville, Tomiwa and others to speak at the Bodex Social Media Hangout 5.0
-
News1 week ago
Nnamdi Emeh: Suspect Facing Charges In Court, Process Independent Of Police Influence
-
News1 week ago
Alice Loksha, abducted UNICEF nurse, escapes captivity after 6 years
-
Health1 week ago
Five ways to rid your home of ants
-
Politics1 week ago
Aiyedatiwa takes commanding lead in Ondo guber poll after winning 15 of 18 LGAs