Crime
EFCC arraigns McHarvey Capital boss, and two others over $1.6m Crypto fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three young men over alleged $1.6 million cryptocurrency fraud.
According to a press release by EFCC on X, the charges are brought against Benjamin Okenna Ikaa, the operator of McHarvey Capital Limited, along with two others, Chidera Jonas and Ikaa Ejike Benjamin.
The arraignment took place on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The charges faced by the trio include four counts related to obtaining funds through false pretence and money laundering in connection with a cryptocurrency investment fraud amounting to $1,621,352.
The charges against the three defendants revolve around their alleged fraudulent activities on social media platforms, enticing victims with promises of substantial daily returns in cryptocurrency investments.
One of the specific charges alleges that the defendants, with intent to defraud, sent electronic messages misrepresenting facts about cryptocurrency investment on their website, http://mcharveycapital.com, resulting in financial loss to one Monica Garcia in the sum of $1,501,0352,000. This charge violates Section 14(2) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention etc.) Act 2015.
During the court proceedings, Benjamin Okenna Ikaa, identified as the only defendant present, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution counsel, Bamidele Akanmode, requested a trial date and proposed remanding the defendant in EFCC’s custody for plea deal negotiations. In contrast, the defence counsel, Adachi Abel, sought a brief adjournment.
Justice Nwite ordered the remand of the defendant at Kuje Correctional Centre and scheduled the next hearing for December 13, 2023.
A further search revealed negative reviews about the integrity of the company from platforms like Reddit, Scam Watcher and some other sites. Also, a visit to the McHarvey website showed that it has now been disabled.
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.
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