The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, opened its case in the ongoing trial of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, and three others when it presented its first witness, Mohammed Babansule, a relationship manager with the First City Monument Bank, FCMB.

In his examination-in-chief, the witness, who is the account manager of the Sixth defendant, Josmon Technologies Ltd, told the court that the account opening form and other documents submitted to the bank showed that the fourth defendant, Apeh, is the signatory to the account.

In addition, Babansule said the account of Josmon Technologies Ltd which was opened in 2015 was allocated to him in June 2018.

The prosecution counsel, O. I. Uket, thereafter asked the court to admit in evidence, copies of account opening package, Corporate Affairs Commission’s registration forms with copies of the director’s international passport and utility bill.

With no objection from the defence counsel, Justice Agbaza admitted the documents as exhibit 1 to 33 and adjourned the matter to January 21, 2021 for continuation of trial.

Lawal along with his younger brother, Hamidu David Lawal; Suleiman Abubakar; Monday John Apeh and two companies: Rholavision Engineering Ltd., and Josmon Technologies Ltd as standing trial before Justice Charles Agbaza of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Jabi Abuja on a 10-count charge bordering on diversion of funds, criminal conspiracy and official corruption to the tune of N544 million.

The defendants were re-arraigned before Justice Agbaza on November 30, 2020 after the demise of Justice Jude Okeke who had been hearing the matter.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Office, have arrested 10 persons for their alleged involvement in computer-related fraud.

The suspects are: Jonathan Daniel Adebayo, Lawal Waidi Seun, Adeosun Joseph, Taiwo Gbemileke, Oseni Omotayo, Emmanuel Fakiyesi, Rasheed Ogunlana, Oladunni Segun, Sowunmi Rotimi and Efetobore Prince Wilfred.

According to EFCC Media head, Wilson Uwujaren,they were arrested on Saturday, January 9, 2021 during an early morning operation in the Alagbado area of Lagos, following credible intelligence received by the Commission about their alleged criminal activities.

He said items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest are cars, mobile phones, laptop computers, passports, a digital video recorder and a chequebook.

The anti fraud agency’s spokesman said the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded on them.

In its bid to have itch free yuletide in Lagos State, the Lagos State Police Command has intensified its strategies to curb crimes and criminality particularly traffic robbery across the state.

The operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) during one of the command’s undercover operations around Ikeja Area, arrested 3 (three) suspected traffic robbers at Agidingbi, Ikeja, at about 11.30pm on Tuesday 22nd December, 2020.

The suspects, on sighting the RRS operatives, took to their heels but were given a hot chase by the police before they were eventually arrested. During preliminary interrogation, the suspects confessed to have been terrorising and responsible for some traffic robberies and other crimes at Isheri, Ojodu, Berger, Motorways, Agidingbi, Ketu, Alapere and Ogudu.

The suspects are DAMOLA AJEWOLE, m, 17, OMOTOSHO SEYI, m,19, and OLANREWAJU SUNDAY, m, 23. Their operational motorcycle and weapons were recovered from them.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos state, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has directed that the suspected armed robbers be handed over to the State CID, Panti, Yaba, for proper investigation.

In the same vein, in order to be proactive and fortify security in Ikorodu and its environs following the speculations or threats of robbery attacks on the residents of Ikorodu, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered the commander RRS, CSP Saheed Egbeyemi and other operational units, including Mobile Police Force, State Intelligence Bureau, CP Monitring Unit, to relocate to Ikorudu. The operation also involves the Area Commander, Area N, Ijede and all the Divisional Police Officers and their operatives in Ikorodu.

It will be recalled that recently there were speculations that robbers were planning to lay siege and attack the residents of Ikorodu and its environs. Premised on the speculations, CP Hakeem Odumosu, swung into action and re-strategised towards providing adequate security in Ikorodu and other parts of the state.

While felicitating with Lagosians on Christmas celebration, he appeals to the general public to abide by the laws of the land and observe COVID-19 preventive protocols during and beyond the seasons.

E-SIGNED

SP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI(mnipr)
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
LAGOS STATE COMMAND
IKEJA
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