₦airaland Forum

…directs special team to dismantle Islamic Movement’s structures
…blames group for killing DCP, corper
•We’re aware –IMN spokesperson

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria may be in for a new ordeal as the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the arrest of all identified Shi’ite leaders across the country.

He has also directed a team of special police to dismantle the structures of the IMN in the country immediately.

Adamu, in a signal to the operatives dated August 30, 2019, said the force would not allow the Shi’ite members to violate the proscription of the IMN by the court.

He blamed the violent protest by the group on July 22 for the killing of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Umar Usman, and a youth corps member, Precious Owolabi.

The IG further stated that a special investigation team set up to probe the murder had gone far in its investigations.

The signal, sighted by our correspondent on Saturday, read in part, “You will also recall that given the odious activities of the movement, the Federal Government obtained an order proscribing the group.

“NIGPOL FORCID (Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department) directs you (to) ensure that identified leaders of the group and their structures are dismantled and their activities contained.

“You are to inform me of your action for discreet investigation and possible prosecution of violators of the proscription order. Treat as very important.”

The police had earlier arrested 54 Shi’ite members after the July 22 violent clash between the force and the IMN members in Abuja.

But, the fate of the detainees could not be ascertained as the police have failed to provide information on their status.

The force headquarters informed one of our correspondents that the suspects were being held by the FCT police command, but the command in turn directed one of our correspondents to the FCID for further inquiries.

CAN president, Adeboye, others meet over insecurity
The Shi’ites had been protesting the detention of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who had been in the custody of the Department of State Services for over three years.

El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, held in a detention facility in Kaduna, were recently granted bail by a Kaduna State High Court on medical grounds on August 5.

When contacted for reaction to the planned onslaught against the IMN leaders, the Shi’ites spokesman, Musa Ibrahim, said the group’s leadership was aware of the IG’s order, adding that a statement would be issued today (Sunday).

The Federal Government had on July 30, 2019, proscribed the Islamic Movement in Nigeria following a July 26, 2019 court order which designated the activities of the Shi’ites organisation in any part of Nigeria “as acts of terrorism and illegality.”

Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja, in her ruling, directed the Federal Government to publish the order in its gazette and in two national dailies. This was subsequently done.

A copy of the gazette titled — ‘Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice, 2019’ — described it as “Government Notice No. 79.”

“Notice is hereby given that by the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/Cs/876/2019 dated July 26, 2019, as per the schedule to this notice, the activities of Islamic Movement in Nigeria are declared to be terrorism and illegal in any part of Nigeria, as proscribed, pursuant to Sections 1 and 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 (as amended).

“Consequently, the general public is hereby warned that any person or group of persons participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intentions or otherwise of the said group will be violating the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 (as amended) and liable to prosecution,” the notice had read.

In the application for the proscription of the group, the Federal Government accused the group of carrying out coordinated violent protests in the country.

It alleged that the “aggressive activities” of members of the group had led to the loss of lives and destruction of private and public property in the Federal Capital Territory and other cities in northern Nigeria.

The Federal Government had claimed that El-Zakzaky’s sole objective was to turn Nigeria into an Islamic state, insisting that the cleric had the full support of Iran to achieve this aim.

The government made the claims in a counter-affidavit it filed against the IMN’s motion challenging the Federal High Court’s order of July 26, 2019 proscribing the group.

The counter-affidavit was deposed to by Enyinnaya Adiogu, a Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operation in the Federal Capital Territory Command.

It stated that El-Zakzaky was influenced by the Iranian revolution, which led to the emergence of Ayatollah Khomeini as the Asian country’s leader in 1979 after Shah was overthrown in a popular uprising.

The government further claimed that the IMN members first pledged their allegiance to Khomeini at their gatherings, and then to their local leader, El-Zakzaky.

It added, “The IMN views itself as a government and Sheikh El-Zakzaky as the only legitimate source of authority in Nigeria and it does not recognise the authority of the Nigerian government and views its leaders, both Muslims and Christians, as corrupt and ungodly.

“That the Islamic Movement in Nigeria began with a Shia Muslim university activist, Ibrahim El- Zakzaky, who became so impressed with the 1979 Iranian Revolution that he wanted one at home (Nigeria).

“That later, El-Zakzaky went to Iran, ultimately becoming a Shia cleric. That after he returned home, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky formed the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and turned it into a vehicle for proselytising and gaining followers in the 1990s.”

El-Zakzaky and his wife had recently been permitted to travel to India for medical care, but their treatment was aborted and they were repatriated to the country following the alleged refusal of the Medenta Hospital at New Delhi to allow their preferred doctors treat them.

The religious leader in a video alleged he was given the option of having his treatment at the hospital or returning to Nigeria, saying that he was still discussing with his wife when unnamed officials returned to tell him to prepare for home.

Following the IMN leader’s return to the country, the Federal Government accused the sheikh of plotting to seek asylum in India and escape from Nigeria.

Last week, 77 Nigerians were arrested by the United States Federal Bureau of Intelligence for alleged involvement in business email compromise, romance scam and defrauding American citizens millions of dollars which were allegedly channelled through Nigerian banks.

The development has triggered the arrest of some local collaborators while the FBI and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have launched a manhunt for other accomplices. This development has swelled the list of Nigerians on the wanted list of security agencies. We bring to you 10 most wanted Nigerians including their foreign accomplices.

Valentine Iro

Wanted by the FBI for cyber crimes

The 31-year-old was named along with Chukwudi Igbokwe, 38, as the lead suspects in the three-year FBI investigation of romance scams, business e-mail compromise, wire fraud and money laundering. At the end of the investigation, about 80 Nigerians were indicted, with some of the accomplices still in Nigeria. Iro and Igbokwe’s role was to ensure the laundering of money deposited by a victim into a bank account or a money services account.

According to the FBI, Iro and Igbokwe coordinated the transfer of victims’ funds from a fraudulent bank account they controlled in US bank accounts belonging to illicit money exchangers. “Those money exchangers, in turn, used a Nigerian banking application to transfer other funds in naira from Nigerian bank accounts they controlled to the Nigerian bank accounts specified by Iro and Igbokwe,” the FBI said in a statement. The authorities said this strategy was used to transfer millions of dollars to Nigerian co-conspirators without directly transferring funds overseas.

Mrs Ngozi Olejeme

She is on the run for diverting N69bn public fund, and money laundering. The Former Chairman of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund has been living in the shadows since she fled the country to evade arrest for allegedly diverting N69bn alongside a former Managing Director of the NSITF, Mr Umar Abubakar. They were said to have stolen the money by awarding bogus contracts and through other financial malpractices. They allegedly committed the crime with Mrs Theresa Ittu.

Olejeme

Affiong, a principal suspect in two cases of fraud, Adjunct Prof. Olufunmilade Adeyemi, Haruna Adamu Gazau, Jennifer Turnah, two Chinese, Liang Zhang, Junyuang Jiang, and Christopher Achebe.

Olejeme, hails from Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Areas of Delta State and speaks English and Igbo languages fluently, while her last known address was given as No 14 J.F. Kennedy Street, Asokoro, Abuja. Following her escape, the EFCC detained her sureties, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja, Lagos State branch; Monday Ubani and Christopher Enai, an ex-senator representing Bayelsa State. They were subsequently granted bail by Justice Silvanus Orji of FCT High Court, Apo, in the sum of N50m, with two sureties who must be civil servants on Grade Level 15, after their lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, challenged their detention in court.

Government Ekpemupolo

He is wanted by the EFCC for N45.9bn fraud.

The EFCC declared the former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, wanted in February, 2016. The anti-graft agency in an advertorial signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said it declared Tompolo wanted following two bench warrants issued against him by a Federal High Court in Lagos, where he was charged with N45.9bn fraud.

He was said to have illegally diverted the money belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency. The 50-year-old, dark-complexioned native of Okerenkoko, Gbaramotu Kingdom in the Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, went underground and had not been seen since then.

His last known address was given as No. 1, Chief Agbanu Street, DDPA Extension, Warri, Delta State. The fugitive, who wielded political influence in his state, is said to speak both Izon and English languages.

Tompolo

Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos issued a bench warrant against Tompolo on January 14 after he shunned a summons dated January 12 issued on him by the judge to appear in connection with the fraud charges filed against him and nine others by the EFCC. Buba ordered the law enforcement agencies to produce Tompolo before him on February 8 for him to answer the charges, but rather than appear in court on January 8, he went underground after the court dismissed his application to quash the bench warrant and arrest order.

The EFCC filed 40 counts against Tompolo and nine others, including the immediate past Director-General of NIMSA, Patrick Akpobolokemi. The other suspects in the charge are Kime Engozu, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Capt. Warredi Enisuoh. They were charged alongside four companies, namely: Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd., Odimiri Electrical Ltd., Boloboere Property and Estate Limited and Destre Consult Ltd.

Ittu Theresa

She is wanted by the EFCC for N1bn contract fraud.

Ittu is a principal suspect in two cases of fraud, contractual malpractices and obtaining goods under false pretence to the tune of N1bn and $1.4m, respectively. She allegedly received about N1bn from a government agency as payment for contracts which she failed to properly execute. Furthermore, the suspect was alleged to have fraudulently collected aircraft parts worth $1,416,000 from a Russian company and evaded payment.

The suspect failed to honour the EFCC’s invitation and is currently at large. The 50-year-old is fair in complexion. Her last known address was No. 2B Oko-Awo Close, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Aisha Nur

She is wanted for money laundering.

A bank worker, Aisha Shettima Nur, has also been on the run from the EFCC since 2016, for allegedly laundering money believed to be proceeds of crime.

Aisha Nur

In November 14, 2016, Nur was convicted in absentia on 10 counts of money laundering. Investigations revealed that the convict laundered monies which were proceeds of crime through the accounts of her siblings and daughter, as well as through the purchase of vehicles and stocking of a provision shop. While the cases were ongoing at both the federal and state High Courts, the convict had jumped bail, consequent upon which judges of both courts issued bench warrants for her arrest. The fair-skinned fugitive is 39 years old and 5.4 feet tall. She hails from Maiduguri, Borno State and is fluent in Hausa, Kanuri and English languages. Her last known address was No 1, Umar Galadima Street, Kawo, Kano.

Ijeoma Ugwah

She is declared wanted for $10m, N4m advance fee fraud and employment scam

Ugwah is wanted by the EFCC in a case of criminal conspiracy, employment scam and obtaining money by false pretence. The fugitive allegedly induced the petitioner to pay to her account $10m and another N4m for a fictitious Federal Government appointment. The fair-skinned fugitive is 62 years old and hailed from Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State. She is fluent in English and Igbo languages. Her last known address was No. 20, Oladele Oke Street, Okota, Lagos.

Idris Usman

He is accused of complicity in the misappropriation of N1bn SURE-P fund. Usman is wanted by the EFCC for alleged complicity in misappropriation of public funds, money laundering and abuse of office. A popular contractor in Katsina town, Usman is the Managing Director of Idris Kwado & Sons Ltd. as well as Aminu Dikko & Sons Ltd.

According to the EFCC, the suspect was given a contract of N1bn by the immediate past governor of Kastina State, Ibrahim Shema, who is facing trial for alleged N11bn fraud. Dark in complexion, Usman, 51, is from Katsina Local Government Area, Katsina State. His last known address was Kwado Village, Off Ring Road, Katsina.

Anthony Onetule

He is wanted by Interpol for cyber crime and hacking. Onetule, 34, was declared wanted by the International Police for allegedly hacking into a computer, theft committed by an organised group, and theft causing damage on a large scale. Onetule, born in Lagos, is 1.45 metres tall with grey eyes.

Foreigners on wanted list

Susan Elya

She is an Australian fugitive wanted for N20m forex fraud. Elya is wanted by the anti-graft agency in a case of criminal breach of trust and obtaining money by false pretence. The suspect allegedly collected N20m from the complainant, promising to help change the money to dollars. However, after receiving the money, all efforts to reach the suspect failed. Elya is 41 years old and dark in complexion. She speaks the English Language fluently. Her last known address was No. 11, Vernam Street, Maitama, Abuja

Doron Umansky

He is an Israeli who speaks Yoruba, English and Hebrew fluently. He is on the run for fraud and forgery. Umansky was believed to have fled the country after he was indicted for obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, forgery and altering. The 57-year-old allegedly committed the crime alongside Hannah Sobowale and Hammed Ariyomi who are also on the run. Umansky’s last known addresses were Signature Suites, Asaba, Delta State and 52A, Tunde Adebola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Sobowale is 44 and her last known address was 100 Acres Church Street, Abere Bus Stop, Ajayi Egan Road, Atan, Sango-Ota, Ogun State. Ariyomi is 33 and his last known address was No. 6, Sanu Street, Adura Bus Stop, Alagbado, Lagos State. Both suspects are dark-complexioned, hailed from Ogun State and speak English and Yoruba Languages.

@Daniediabasi “Titans this is not a time to blame Ebuka or Biggie. Just shut the Bleep up. Stop defending her misdemeanors. If you’re a true titan you’d acknowledge her wrong doings and pray for her to survive or you just switch fave!!

@Nazcouture “Anybody blaming this Tacha’s strike on Ebuka is a big fool, and I’m here to tell them.”

@Kissgold1 “Ebuka is fighting at all cost to send tacha away it will not work for you.”

@Cynbeast23 “So Seyi, I need you to tell Tacha to sleep whole day and keep quiet. Sit outside the diary room the whole day waiting for his Highness Biggie to call her and to always call Ebuka by all his names and add Sir.”

@Ij4realOkoli “Ebuka this is pure injustice towards Tacha.One person was given a strike for provocation and violence but another was given two strikes 4 violence and disobedience. Two offences but different rules applied, we know you never expected her to pull this fan base.”

@Bbschatz “Obviously Tacha not wearing ebuka’s wives clothes and her “because y has a long tail” response really pain am.“

@Kinglucia “Tacha and Ebuka clearly do not like each other. Too bad one has power over the other.”

@Cynbeast23 “Ebuka has a right to call Tacha “not very smart” on live tv but Tacha cant take a second before answering him. Y’all mad. Very very mad.”

@thic_didi “Why did Big Brother play that clip from last Sunday when ebuka asked T a question? And was there a particular reason for for Tacha’s second strike? I still don’t get this shit! Big brother deserves a BORING SHOW!Tacha should go mute. We will still vote!

@Oh_Titi “She actually told Ebuka why had 2 pattern and 1 tail? Wawu! Ebuka has suffered in Tacha’s hand this season! The disrespect is too much.”

@_Omoissy “Gedoni saying “Thank you” after being evicted is the highlight of this season.”

@Entr_Profiler “Gedoni kneeling down and saying thank you after getting evicted has to be disrespectful to Khafi.“

@_imabe “This BBNaijaEviction, Big brother just did Khafi a huge favour!

@Clairvoyant “Gedoni highlight is the most boring I’ve seen so far this season. Even Isilomo that spent one week had better moments. TUEH! Thanks biggie for taking down BBN most wanted.”

@HaajiRoy “So no more overnight knacking for Khafi again.Uncle Gedoni is on his way home.”

@AsiwajuDosunmu “Khafi is stronger than she thinks she is. Now, she needs someone like Tacha for some serious life coaching.”

@Itz_desmond “This one Gedoni is happy he was evicted while Khaffi is the one crying…like he was irredeemably exhausted from the back to back “lashing” and inevitably needed a break.”

@Shalom_samuel10 “Gedoni was happy to be evicted because he wants to reserve sperm he will use to start up a family.”