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Self-Styled Footballer, Two Others Convicted For Cybercrime In Kwara

Published

10 months ago

November 4, 2025

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of a self-styled footballer, Musa Ayomide Olasunkanmi, for offences bordering on personation and retention of proceeds of crime.

Justice Haleema Saleeman of the Kwara State High Court, sitting in Ilorin, gave the judgment while deciding on a three-count charge of fraud brought against the defendant by the anti-graft agency.

Similarly, on Friday, the anti-graft agency secured the conviction of Owolabi Bolaji Abduljeleel and Ayomide Fawas Olaoye before the same court, presided over by Justice Saleeman, for offences bordering on cybercrime.

According to the proof of evidence, Olasunkanmi, who claimed to be a footballer, retained over ₦3.4 million in his Kuda Microfinance Bank account, proceeds traced to fraudulent activities. He also obtained $500 (Five Hundred US Dollars) from one Karyn and $1,000 (One Thousand US Dollars) from one Courtney Rouse under the guise of a romantic relationship.

Specifically, Count One of the charge against Musa reads:

“That you, MUSA AYOMIDE OLASUNJANMI between January to October, 2025, in Ilorin, Kwara State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did knowingly had under your control the sum of N3,453,000.00( Three million, four hundred and fifty three thousand naira only) in your bank account number:2048878559 with the name: AYOMIDE OLASUNKANMI MUSA domiciled with the kuda microfinance Bank Limited which you knew to be proceeds of criminal conduct and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 319(a) of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria”

The charge against Ayomide reads;

“That you, AYOMIDE FAWAS OLAOYE (Alias: Lizzy) Sometimes in June, 2025 within the judicial of the High Court, was found to have retained the control of the gross sum of N2,069,000.00 ( Two million and sixty-nine Thousand naira only) deposited in your moniepoint microfinance Bank account number 5652232444 which you knew to be proceed of criminal conduct and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 319(a) of the Penal Code”

In the same vein, the charge against Owolabi read:

“That you, OWOLABI BOLAJI ABDULJELEEL, in or about the 26th day of September 2025, in Ilorin, Kwara State state, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did attempt to cheat by personation, when you pretended to be ROHAN SCAILET, a white female based in United States of America, with a Facebook Business suit Account Name: ROHAN SCAILET and chatted one MATT and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 95 of the penal code law and punishable under Section 324 of the same Penal Code Law”

Upon his plea of guilt, counsel to the EFCC, Andrew Akoja and Omolade Ajibola, reviewed the facts of the case through witnesses Olumide Olasode and Biobaku Barakat, both operatives of the Commission. They tendered the defendants’ extra-judicial statements, incriminating exhibits recovered at the point of arrest, and evidence of restitution made by the convicts.

In her judgment, Justice Saleeman sentenced Musa to four months imprisonment with an option of ₦200,000 fine on count one, six months or ₦500,000 fine on count two, and eight months or ₦500,000 fine on count three. The court also ordered the forfeiture of an iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone XS Max, Samsung S9, and the sum of $1,000 recovered from him to the Federal Government.

In the same vein, Ayomide Fawas Olaoye (alias Lizzy) was convicted for retaining ₦2,069,000 in his Moniepoint account, being proceeds of criminal conduct. He was sentenced to three months imprisonment or ₦150,000 fine on count one, six months or ₦250,000 fine on count two, and four months or ₦250,000 fine on count three. The court also ordered the forfeiture of $350, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and a motorcycle belonging to the convict.

Justice Saleeman equally convicted Owolabi Bolaji Abduljeleel for attempting to cheat by personation after he posed as Rohan Scailet, a purported white female from the United States, and defrauded one Matt via a fake Facebook account. He was fined ₦70,000, while his iPhone XS Max and Samsung Galaxy S9 were forfeited to the Federal Government.

End

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Kwara: Ifelodun Travellers Transport System Revived

Published

8 hours ago

August 19, 2026

Our Reporter

As Council Signs MoU With P&A Contract Ltd

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Ifelodun local Government, under the leadership of Hadji Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with P & A Contract Limited for the construction of a modern motor park in Amoyo, as the Council moves to revive the Ifelodun Travellers transport system and improve transportation within the Local Government.

Speaking during the MoU signing ceremony at the Council s Contact Office in Amoyo, the Chairman explained that the decision to construct the motor park was driven by the need for Ifelodun Local Government to establish its own transport identity, intended to ease people’s transportation problem.

He recalled that residents travelling to and from Ifelodun had, over the years, relied on transport facilities at Offa Garage and Maraba in Ilorin, stressing the need to create a dedicated transport hub that would serve the people of the Local Government.

“At some point in the history of Ifelodun Local Government, we had Ifelodun Travellers, which does not exist anymore. I don’t think there is anything wrong with bringing that identity back to the limelight. Now, we want to add value to that identity,” the Chairman said.

He added that the Council was also working with relevant stakeholders to bring in 10 units of Korope buses, which would commence operations as soon as possible.

“We are working with the NURTW, Kwara State Chapter, for guidance and to ensure that the operation runs smoothly,” he added.

The Supervisory Councillor for Works and Infrastructure Development, Mrs. Kolo Rebecca, explained that the proposed park would feature several amenities, including a garage, warehouse, 100-unit shopping complex, parking spaces and general toilets.

She said the facilities were designed to boost economic activities, improve the image of the Local Government and provide a more convenient transportation system for residents.

According to her, the initiative is also in line with the efforts of the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to take governance and development directly to the grassroots.

The contractor, Mallam Jimoh Toheeb Abolore, assured the Local Government of the prompt execution of the project, promising that the construction would meet the required standards and contribute positively to the image and development of Ifelodun Local Government.

Those in attendance included the Vice Chairman, Hon. Nike Ajibola; Secretary to the Local Government, Dr. Kamil Akorede; DPM, Mallam Ayinde Salman; LGT, Mallam Usman Waheed; Chief of Staff to the Chairman, Chief Ademola Zubair; Head of Works, Engr. Awodi Muhammad; Land officer, Tola Kadir and other Special Assistants.

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Lawyer Demands Release of Detained Kano Blogger, Maryam Shehu

Published

1 day ago

August 18, 2026

Our Reporter

By Hassan Agboola

A lawyer and human rights activist, Hamza Nuhu Dantani, has called for the immediate release of Kano-based blogger, Maryam Shehu, who he said has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for almost 30 days.

Dantani, in a statement on Monday, said the prolonged detention of Shehu was becoming difficult to reconcile with the rule of law and provisions of the 1999 Constitution, particularly her fundamental right to personal liberty.
He questioned why Shehu should remain in detention for nearly 30 days, particularly over an offence he described as ordinarily bailable.

“How on earth can a person be detained for almost 30 days and counting, particularly in relation to an offence that is ordinarily bailable, without meaningful consideration of her liberty and constitutional rights?” he asked.
Dantani said the EFCC’s powers to investigate did not give the commission the right to detain a suspect indefinitely, punish her before trial or disregard her fundamental rights.

He also criticised the alleged practice of photographing persons in EFCC custody and publishing their images online while they remain presumed innocent.
Citing Section 36(5) of the Constitution, Dantani said the law guarantees the presumption of innocence until a suspect is proven guilty by a competent court.

He warned that publicly portraying suspects as criminals before trial could amount to subjecting them to public punishment and humiliation.
“The EFCC is a law-enforcement institution. It must therefore be the first institution to demonstrate obedience to law. It cannot demand respect for law from citizens while appearing to disregard constitutional safeguards itself,” he said.

Dantani urged the commission to either charge Shehu before a competent court if it has credible evidence against her or release her immediately
.
“We call on EFCC to respect the Constitution, respect presumption of innocence and respect fundamental right to personal liberty. Investigation is not conviction. Detention is not punishment. And an allegation is not guilt,” he said.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Comment on Lionel Messi’s Tribute to His Dad Becomes Most-Liked Instagram Comment

Published

1 day ago

August 18, 2026

Our Reporter

By Fabian Apechihin

Cristiano Ronaldo’s heartfelt message to Lionel Messi following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, has reportedly become the most-liked comment in Instagram history.

Jorge Messi died on August 7 in Rosario, Argentina, aged 68. Five days later, Messi paid tribute to his late father in an emotional Instagram post featuring a photo of the pair.

In the post, Messi wrote, “Te amo, pa” — meaning “I love you, Dad” — alongside a lengthy tribute reflecting on his father’s influence and the pain of losing him.

Among the many reactions from fans, celebrities and fellow footballers was a message from Ronaldo.

“Un abrazo enorme para ti y los tuyos en estos duros momentos, Leo. Mucha fuerza,” Ronaldo wrote, which translates to: “A huge hug to you and yours in these tough times, Leo. Much strength.”

Ronaldo’s comment reportedly attracted more than 6.86 million likes and over 86,000 comments, making it the most-liked comment on Instagram.

The previous record was also held by Ronaldo, whose comment on Kylian Mbappé’s announcement of his move to Real Madrid reportedly received more than five million likes.

Other football stars also expressed their condolences to Messi. Neymar Jr.’s message, translated as “Much strength for you and your family. Big hug,” reportedly received more than 1.6 million likes, while David Beckham’s comment expressing support for Messi and his family attracted more than 300,000 likes.

In his tribute, Messi described his father’s death as difficult to comprehend, saying he struggled to accept that he would no longer see or speak with him.

Messi also recalled how his father had encouraged him to play at the 2026 World Cup despite his deteriorating health. He said his father had hoped to watch him compete and had planned to travel if his condition improved.

According to Messi, he had promised his father that Argentina would reach the final so he could be there. Although Argentina reached the final, his father was unable to attend.

Reflecting on the loss, Messi said he had wanted to win the tournament and bring the trophy to his father but ultimately struggled physically during the competition.

The emotional tribute highlighted the close bond between Messi and his father and the profound impact of his loss on the football superstar.