Lagos court sentences oil and gas association chairman to 21 years' imprisonment for N43.5m fraud

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, November 18, 2024, convicted and sentenced Fatuyi Yemi Philips, Chairman, Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, NOGASA, to 21 years imprisonment for N43.5m fraud.

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on April 5, 2022, arraigned Philips alongside his firm, Oceanview Oil and Gas Limited, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N43, 502,000.00.

Count one reads: "Fatuyi Yemi Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, on or about the 28th day of September, 2016 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the aggregate sum of N43, 502,000.00 from Elochukwu Okoye and Elebana Unique Ventures Nigeria Limited on behalf of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited under the false representation that you would sell to WAPCIL Nigeria Limited $98,870.00, a representation you knew to be false."

Count two reads: "Fatuyi Yemi Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, on or about the 28th day of September, 2016 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, stole the sum of N43, 502,000.00, property of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited."

He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges, thereby leading to his full trial.

In the course of the trial, prosecution counsel, M.S. Owede, tendered several documentary evidence and called five witnesses to substantiate the allegations against him and his company.

The defense, on its part, called three witnesses during the trial.

Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Dada held that the prosecution proved its case against the defendants beyond reasonable doubts.

Consequently, the judge sentenced Phillips to 14 years imprisonment on count one and seven years on count two, without an option of fine.

The sentences are to be served concurrently.

The Judge also ordered the second defendant, Oceanview Oil and Gas Limited, to pay a fine of N500,000( Five Hundred Thousand Naira) in respect of count one and another N250,000( Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) in respect of count two within 30 days or be wound up.

The court further ordered the convicts to make restitution in the sum of $90,202.00 or the prevailing Naira equivalent to the nominal complainants.

Phillips’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when he collected the sum of N43, 502,000.00 from Elochukwu Okoye and Elebana Unique Ventures Nigeria Limited on behalf of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited with a false promise of selling its dollar equivalent($98,870.00) to them. 

He neither returned the naira nor dollar equivalent to the petitioners. 

Canada now permits international students to work 24 hours

Canada has increased the permissible work hours for eligible international students during academic terms from 20 to 24 hours per week. 

This adjustment aims to provide greater opportunities for students to gain work experience while maintaining their focus on academics. 

Marc Miller, Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister, stressed the intent behind this policy change, saying, “This change will give students more flexibility to manage their time and gain practical experience.” 

The decision builds on remarks Miller made in October 2022 when he emphasized the importance of work experience for international students. 

At the time, he stated: “With the economy growing at a faster rate than employers can hire new workers, Canada needs to look at every option so that we have the skills and workforce needed to fuel our growth. 

“Immigration will be crucial to addressing our labour shortage. By allowing international students to work more while they study, we can help ease pressing needs in many sectors across the country, while providing more opportunities for international students to gain valuable Canadian work experience and continue contributing to our short-term recovery and long-term prosperity.” 

International students can now work full-time during designated academic breaks, such as summer and winter holidays. These periods allow students to increase their earnings without interfering with class schedules, bolstering their financial stability while continuing their education. 

The updated regulations permit students to work up to 24 hours per week during academic terms. This increase offers greater employment opportunities while ensuring students can maintain a sustainable study schedule. 

Designated Educational Institutions (DLIs) are now required to submit reports twice yearly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These reports will confirm students’ enrollment status and academic progress, ensuring compliance with study permit requirements and upholding the integrity of the International Student Program. 

Under the new rules, international students must obtain approval before transferring to a different DLI. This requirement ensures adherence to permit conditions and maintains academic standards across Canada’s institutions. 

In Quebec, eligible international students can work off-campus without a separate work permit, provided they meet specific criteria. Students must be enrolled full-time in post-secondary, vocational, or professional training programs, or vocational training at the secondary level. These courses must be at least six months long and lead to a recognized degree, diploma, or certificate. 

By introducing these measures, Canada aims to enhance opportunities for international students while addressing labour shortages in key sectors, ensuring a balance between work experience and academic success.

Five feared k!lled as gunmen attack two communities in Anambra

Five persons were feared k!lled when some unknown gunmen attacked two communities in Anambra State.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, November 18, 2024. 

It was gathered that the heavily armed gunmen said to be enforcing sit-at-home, stormed the Abatete community in Idemili North Local Government Area, targeting security personnel attached to the town’s President-General.

Some sources in the area said three security men were shot and k!lled during an exchange of gunfire.

The PG of the community was critically injured and rushed to a nearby hospital.

“We are praying for his recovery. The armed hoodlums invaded the community in the early hours of today. This senseless violence has left our community shaken,” one of the sources said. 

In another separate incident, some gunmen attacked the Ukpo Community at the Ukpo roundabout in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state, k!lling one vigilante operative and a motorcycle rider. 

“It was chaos. The attackers came out of nowhere in a commando-like fashion and started shooting indiscriminately,” an eyewitness said. 

A police source who pleaded anonymity confirmed the incident to the punch.

"The police have launched an investigation into the attacks and are working to apprehend the perpetrators.

“We condemn these heinous acts and assure the public that we will do everything possible to bring the culprits to justice.”

It was gathered that both incidents were said to have occurred within an hour interval, with the first attack happening at 8am in Abatete and the second at 8.45am at Ukpo Roundabout. 

 

Driver of minister's wife d!es after falling into abandoned well in Kano

A 60-year-old man, Sabi'u Yusha'u Unguwa Uku, has d!ed after falling into an abandoned well located at CBN Quarters Hadejia Road, in Kano State.

The spokesperson for the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, who disclosed this in a statement at the weekend said the deceased was the driver of the Minister of Defence's first wife. 

According to the Abdullahi, the deceased came to drop some guests at a house after which he came out to urinate. 

Unknown to him, there was an abandoned well in the area. 

 “On Friday 15th November, 2024, at about 22:35 hrs, State Fire Service under the leadership of Alh. Hassan Ahmad Muhammad received a call for emergency assistance from one of our staff PFS II Sabo Wada Abdullahi who informed of the incident where a person fell in a well at CBN Quarters Hadejia Road,” the statement read.

 

"The crew on duty were mobilized to the scene of the incident and arrived at 22:50 hrs.

 

"When they arrived, they found a 60-year-old man named Sabi'u Yusha'u Unguwa Uku, who had fallen into a well.

 

"The victim was rescued unconscious and conveyed to Sir Sunusi specialist Hospital Hadejia Road for medical examination while doctors confirmed his d3ath.

 

"The corpse was handed over to CPL Faruku Musa of Dakata Police Division.

 

"Meanwhile, the victim was a driver to the first wife of the Minister of Defense and he came to drop some guests at one house nearby the place of incident.

 

"The victim came out with the intention of urinating in a place where he did not know there was an abandoned well and some debris.

 

“In that process he stepped on one side of the well cover, as a result of that he drowned in the water.” 

Lagos plotting to colonise Northern Nigeria — Kwankwaso

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused Lagos of plotting to “colonise” the northern region.

Speaking during the convocation ceremony at Skyline University in Kano, the former Kano State governor alleged that Lagos played a significant role in the ongoing emirate rulership battle in the state.

Let me note our situation here in Kano and indeed northern Nigeria,” Kwankwaso said.

“The emir is just being a stooge at this very difficult time, especially in this part of the country (northern Nigeria).

“Today, we can see very clearly that there is a lot of efforts from the Lagos axis to colonize this part of the country. Today, Lagos wouldn’t allow us to choose an emir, Lagos has to come to the centre of Kano to put their own emir.”

“Today, we are aware that the Lagos young men are working so hard to impose taxes and take away our taxes from Kano and this part of the country to Lagos,” he stated. “Even the telephones that we make or register here in Kano, efforts are there to take all the taxes to Lagos.

Even our sons and daughters who have brought factories—many of them here in Kano and northern Nigeria—and even banks, somehow, they are forced to take their headquarters to Lagos because taxes will now have to go to Lagos.”

The NNPP supreme also decried the widening gap between the rich and the poor, describing the situation as perilous for the nation.

At this moment, I would like to call all our National Assembly members to keep their eyes open so that they don’t do anything that would cheat the people of northern Nigeria, especially here, Kano,” he said.

We are witnesses to what happened during the first term, 1999 to 2000, where our members of the National Assembly were bribed, were treated into collecting huge sums of money to support offshore in this country. That law put a huge blow into our economy not only here in northern Nigeria but all other states,” Kwankwaso concluded. 

Katsina man connives with bandits to kidnap his mother for ransom

A middle-aged man, Jibril Falalu has confessed to orchestrating his own mother's kidnapping with the help of bandits in order to collect ransom. 

The incident happened in Tsa/Magam community in the Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State. 

Falalu instructed the bandits to kidnap his mother, but fortunately, she was rescued just a day later.

A crisis and conflict journalist in the Northwest region, Bakatsine, on Friday, said Falalu was arrested on Thursday by officials of Katsina Community Watch (KCW).

Bakatsine posted a video of the confessional statement made by Falalu when he was being interrogated by KWC officials

"I arranged for the abduction of my mother. We worked on it together with one Nakande and one other; we were three all together," Falalu said in the video.

Young man from Kano builds solar-powered tricycle

 

 Young man from Kano builds solar-powered tricycle

A young Nigerian man from Kano State has gained widespread attention on social media after it was reported that he single-handedly built a fully solar- powered tricycle.

The news went viral following a post shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which featured images of the man riding his creation on the road.

Although his name has not been disclosed, the photos highlight the innovative achievement as he is seen operating the solar-powered tricycle.

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“Wealth matters not in the end” – Man reacts to arrival of Sen. Ubah’s body

 

X user, Jeremiah Jackson Penking, popularly known as Dr Penking, has reacted to the arrival of the body of the Late Nigerian Senator, Ifeanyi Ubah for burial.

Recall that the Businessman died on the 27th of July 2024, of a cardiac arrest in London, at the age of 52.

The former Senator was said to have departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom two days earlier on 25 July.

A close family source said he died in a hospital where he went for surgery.

His body arrived Nigeria yesterday, ahead of his burial which is scheduled to hold on the 22nd of November 2024.

However, reacting to this, Dr Penking urged Nigerians to always reflect on their life’s journey, stating that at the end of the day, wealth and riches don’t matter.

He wrote, “Have you noticed where they are bringing him out from? That is the part of the plane they put luggage for passenger planes and Stockfish for cargo planes. This is a man with estimated net worth of 170 billion Dollars. What was all the money for? Nothing.

“Wealth and riches doesn’t matter at the end of the day. Only the good you have done in this world will speak for you when you are gone.”

Miss South Africa withdraws from Miss Universe 2024

 

Recently crowned Miss South Africa, Le Roux has withdrawn from the Miss Universe competition due to health concerns.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Miss South Africa Organization, on Friday.

The beauty queen while expressing her gratitude to her supporters from South Africa, stated that the decision to withdraw was not easy for her.

She noted that she is grateful for the opportunity to focus on her recovery, adding that this will enable her serve her country with full strength.

She stated, “Making this decision has been incredibly challenging, knowing the dreams and hopes that have been placed upon me. However, I am deeply grateful to have the opportunity to focus on my health and recovery so that I may continue to serve my country with full strength.”

The Miss South Africa Organization also showed its support for Mia’s decision, saying that “her health and well-being are our utmost priority.”

“We stand by her side, dedicated to ensuring she regains her strength and returns to full health. Our hearts are with her as she takes the necessary steps toward recovery,” the organization said.

The Miss Universe preliminary competition kicked off on Friday in Mexico City, with previous winners R’Bonney Gabriel of USA and Sheynnis Palacos of Nicaragua as hosts.

The coronation night will be held on November 16.

Ugandan TikToker convicted for insulting president

A court in Uganda has convicted a 21-year-old Tiktoker for calling for the public flogging of President Yoweri Museveni on TikTok. 

Emmanuel Nabugodi, who created a video depicting a mock Museveni trial, faces up to seven years in prison for “spreading hate speech” against the head of state. 

He pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Nov. 13, and was remanded in custody at the notorious Kigo maximum security prison near Kampala until November 18, when he will be sentenced.
State attorney Paul Aheebwa Byamukama said prosecutors have asked the Entebbe court to impose a seven-year sentence. 

Nabugodi is the fourth Ugandan to appear in court and be remanded in custody in the last two days for insulting the president and his family. 

In July, another 21-year-old TikToker was sentenced to six years in prison for insulting Museveni, who has ruled Uganda with an iron fist since he toppled president Milton Obote in 1986. 

Award-winning author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was arrested in late 2021 and charged with insulting Museveni and his powerful son Muhoozi Kainerugaba who many Ugandans believe is positioning himself to take over from his 80-year-old father. 

Rukirabashaija was awarded the 2021 PEN Pinter Prize for an International Writer of Courage, which is presented annually to a writer who has been persecuted for speaking out about their beliefs. 

He said he was tortured during his month-long detention in Uganda and fled into exile in Germany. 

In 2020, four members of a comedy troupe were jailed when they released a video sarcastically calling on Ugandans to pray for their leaders, including Museveni, the police chief and the head of prisons. 

An online campaign demanding their release led to the charges being dropped.