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News_Naija

US Indicts Nigerian For $690k Scam, False Citizenship Claim

A Nigerian-born United States citizen, Oladapo Fadugba, risks 27 years imprisonment over his alleged involvement in a $690,000 wire fraud scheme and making false declarations to obtain US citizenship. PUNCH Metro learnt this in a statement by the US Attorney for the District of Florida, Gregory Kehoe, obtained on Wednesday. According to Kehoe, Fadugba was indicted for multiple charges, including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements during his naturalisation process. According to Kehoe, between October 2020 and July 2023, the suspect allegedly diverted $690,000 in funds belonging to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, which was meant for reimbursement to a major local healthcare provider. It was further alleged that Fadugba used another person’s identity to facilitate the transfers into various bank accounts under his control. The statement read, “According to the indictment, beginning on October 30, 2020, and ending no later than July 11, 2023, Fadugba had more than $690,000 of Department of Veterans Affairs funds, intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider, transferred to his personal bank accounts. “Fadugba then wrote cheques to himself or to businesses associated with him, which were subsequently transferred to other bank accounts under his control. It is alleged that he used the identification of another individual to carry out these transfers.” In addition, Fadugba is accused of lying under oath during his US naturalisation proceedings by falsely stating that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested. Kehoe stated that, if the suspect was convicted on all counts, he risked a maximum sentence of 27 years in the US federal prison and the forfeiture of $400,000, representing proceeds from the alleged crimes. “The indictment further alleges that Fadugba, a naturalised US citizen from Nigeria, made a false statement under oath during his naturalisation proceedings by claiming he had not committed any offence or crime for which he had not been arrested. “If convicted on all charges, Fadugba faces up to 27 years in federal prison. The indictment also includes a notice that the United States is seeking a forfeiture order of $400,000, which reflects the approximate proceeds of the criminal conduct charged,” the statement added. Kehoe concluded by noting that “an indictment is merely a formal accusation of criminal conduct, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.” PUNCH Metro reported on April 12 that a 24-year-old Nigerian man, Mercy Ojedeji, pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and unlawful use of fraudulent immigration documents in the United States. According to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, the plea was entered in a US District Court in St. Louis, Missouri. Ojedeji had admitted to fraudulently securing a student visa and gaining admission into the University of Missouri’s chemistry PhD program in Fall 2023. He acknowledged using falsified academic transcripts, recommendation letters, a fake resume, and a fabricated English language proficiency report to obtain the visa.

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Futbol

How It Stands As Women's Nations League Returns

The Women's Nations League is back this week with England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all having two more matches. There were mixed fortunes in February's opening two rounds of fixtures as England gained a win and a draw, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland both secured one victory and one loss, while Scotland and Wales were unable to pick up a win. The next round of games takes place on Friday, 4 April, with the nations also in action four days later on 8 April. BBC Sport takes a look at the competition so far, what is up for grabs in the tournament, and how England and Wales' preparations are going for this summer's Euros in Switzerland. The league was launched in 2023, with the first edition offering qualification spots for the 2025 Women's European Championship. Countries have been placed into groups of three or four teams, across three different leagues, with promotion and relegation between the leagues depending on the match results. And there's a lot at stake. Teams are not only competing for the Nations League title, but their finishing position will also determine where they start in the league system for the European qualifiers for the 2027 Women's World Cup. Scotland, England and Wales are all in the top league - League A. It has been a tough start for Scotland in Group A1, as they have suffered two narrow defeats - 1-0 in Austria and then 2-1 at home to the Netherlands, who are on four points and level with leaders Germany. Scotland have two tough matches coming up against a Germany side ranked number three in the world, starting at home at Dundee United's Tannadice Park on 4 April, before an away game in Wolfsburg on 8 April. France have made a strong start in Group A2, with two home wins, beating Norway 1-0 and Iceland 3-2. Next matches in Group A1 and A2 Group A1: 4 April - Scotland v Germany, Netherlands v Austria; 8 April - Germany v Scotland, Austria v Netherlands. Group A2: 4 April - Iceland v Norway, Switzerland v France; 8 April - Iceland v Switzerland, Norway v France. England began their Group A3 campaign with an underwhelming 1-1 draw in Portugal, but looked closer to their best in their next match as Jess Park scored in a superb 1-0 win at Wembley over reigning world champions Spain. The Lionesses, who will attempt to defend their European title in Switzerland this summer, will play bottom-placed Belgium twice in April, at Bristol City's Ashton Gate on 4 April before the away game four days later. Wales, who are preparing to compete in their first major women's tournament this summer, lost 1-0 in Italy in their first Group A4 match. But they responded with an an impressive 1-1 draw at home against Sweden, who are ranked sixth in the world, courtesy of Kayleigh Barton's penalty equaliser. The Welsh entertain Denmark at the Cardiff City Stadium on 4 April, before playing Sweden in Gothenburg on 8 April. Next matches in Group A3 and A4 Group A3: 4 April - Portugal v Spain, England v Belgium; 8 April - Spain v Portugal, Belgium v Italy. Group A4: 4 April - Sweden v Italy, Wales v Denmark; 8 April - Denmark v Italy, Sweden v Wales. In Group B1, Northern Ireland started with a 2-0 loss in Poland and were heading for another defeat before two late goals from Simone Magill gave them a dramatic 3-2 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Tanya Oxtoby's side now have two matches against Romania, who have lost both their opening two games. The away game takes place on 4 April, before Romania come to Windsor Park on 8 April. Carla Ward's reign as Republic of Ireland manager got off to a winning start in Group B2 with a 1-0 home win over Turkey, but they suffered a 4-0 thrashing in Slovenia in their following game. Greece away comes next, with the reverse tie in Dublin four days later. Next matches in Group B1 and B2 Group B1: 4 April - Poland v Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania v Northern Ireland; 8 April - Northern Ireland v Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina v Poland. Group B2: 4 April - Greece v Republic of Ireland, Slovenia v Turkey; 8 April - Turkey v Slovenia, Republic of Ireland v Greece. Teams were placed in each league based on their rankings at the end of the 2024 women's European qualifying league stage. The four League A group winners will meet in the semi-finals, followed by a third-place play-off and a final which crowns the Nations League winner. These will be played over two legs. The teams who finish fourth in each League A group will be relegated to League B, and the League B group winners will be promoted. Each group winner of League C will be promoted to League B, with the teams finishing at the bottom of League B, as well as two of the lowest ranked third-placed teams, dropping to League C. Spain won the inaugural Women's Nations League title in 2024, claiming their second major trophy in six months. The group standings at the end of the Nations League determine which teams are placed in each league for the European qualifiers for the 2027 Women's World Cup. There will be another draw in November 2025 to decide the groups within the three leagues. Teams who finish in the top two in each League A group stay in the top league for the World Cup qualifiers. The top four teams in League B will be promoted. Third-placed teams from League A will have to play the second-placed teams from League B to decide which four teams claim the final League A spots. At the end of the World Cup qualifiers, the four League A winners will qualify directly for the Women's World Cup. Other teams will be entered into the play-offs to claim the remaining spots. The Nations League group fixtures all take place before the 2025 Women's Euros, which starts on 2 July. League phases Match days 1-2: 21-26 February Match days 3-4: 4-8 April Match days 5-6: 30 May-3 June Finals Semi-finals (two legs): 22-28 October Final/third-place play-off (two legs): 26 November-2 December

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News_Naija

INEC Moves To Legalise Voting Without PVC

The Independent National Electoral Commission has expressed willingness to allow eligible Nigerians without Permanent Voter Cards to vote in the 2027 general elections, but insists that such a move must be backed by legislative amendments. The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, told The PUNCH on Wednesday that the commission was committed to expanding voter access through technology, but emphasised that legal provisions must first be updated to accommodate any shift from the current PVC-only system. The initiative followed remarks by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in December 2024 during a quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja. Yakubu highlighted the growing role of technology, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, in streamlining the electoral process. He noted that while PVCs will remain valid for those who possess them, future elections could allow voters to use slips generated by INEC or downloaded from its official website for accreditation. This shift, he said, would lower costs, ease logistical burdens, and curb the misuse of voter cards. “The commission also believes that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, the use of the Permanent Voters’ Cards as the sole means of identification for voter accreditation on Election Day should be reviewed. “Those who already have the PVCs can still use them to vote, but going forward, computer-generated slips issued to the voter or even downloaded from the Commission’s website will suffice for voter accreditation. “This will not only save cost, it will also eliminate the issues around the collection of PVCs and the diabolical practice of buying up the cards from voters in order to disenfranchise them,” Yakubu explained. However, giving an update in an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday,  Oyekanmi stressed that any change in the voting procedure must be supported by corresponding legal amendments. “It is not our stand alone that is important. Equally critical is what the subsisting law says. While the commission is favourable disposed to the recommendation by stakeholders (that PVCs alone should not be the only criterion for voting at an election), the law needs to be amended to reflect it,” he said.

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News_Naija

Lagos LG Chair Aspirant Withdraws For Obasas Son

The Vice Chairman of Agege Local Government  Area in Lagos State, Mr Oluwagbenga Abiola,  has withdrawn his interest to vie for the chairmanship position of the LG in the upcoming July 12, 2025 council election. Abiola said he stepped down for Abdulganiyu Obasa, son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa. Abiola, who is a political protégé of  the Speaker, says his decision was borne out of his loyalty to Obasa, denying that he was forced to step down. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos, Abiola affirmed his loyalty to the party and to Speaker Obasa. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos, Abiola reaffirmed his commitment to the party and to Speaker Obasa. He emphasised that his withdrawal was a voluntary and conscious choice in support of Obasa’s son. On Monday, Agege stakeholders had urged Obasa to allow his son, Abdulganiyu, to contest the council chairmanship, citing the Speaker’s significant contributions to the development of Agege and his long-standing political influence in the area. In response to rumours that he had been pressured to withdraw, Abiola made it clear that he remained deeply appreciative of Obasa’s role in his political career. He further pledged his full support for the Speaker’s leadership, stating that he would never act against the party’s direction or Obasa’s guidance. “I will never go against my leader, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa. This is the man who made me,” Abiola stated. “He appointed me Special Assistant on Media when he became Speaker in 2015. In 2016, I was appointed Sole Administrator of Agege LGA, thanks to his recommendation to the governor. That appointment made me the youngest council boss in Lagos State at the time. “In 2017, I became Secretary to the Local Government, and in 2021, Vice Chairman — all through the party’s and Speaker’s support. So, why would I oppose a man who built me politically and helped me grow in experience and influence?” Although Abiola admitted to having aspired to the chairmanship, he made it clear that he respected the party’s collective decision. “Yes, I aspired. Every Vice Chairman dreams of becoming Chairman. But the party has spoken, and I fully agree. Leaders and stakeholders have united. They’ve asked the Speaker to allow his son to contest, and I respect and support that,” he stated. Abiola also expressed his commitment to serving the people, stating that he believed greater opportunities would come in the future. “I trust my leader. He knows what’s best and can recommend me for even greater responsibilities when the time is right,” he said. “I’m still young and full of energy. I’ll work for the party and ensure we achieve victory.” Abiola said he  had instructed members of his Obasa Youth Alliance to fully support the party’s decision. Protesters allege candidates imposition Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress  in the Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, staged a protest on Tuesday against the alleged imposition of candidates for the upcoming July 12 local government election. The protest followed a similar demonstration that took place during a party stakeholders’ meeting on April 14, which ended abruptly due to similar grievances over candidate selection. On Tuesday, supporters of various chairmanship aspirants gathered at the APC party secretariat before marching to the council secretariat to express their dissatisfaction with the alleged candidate imposition. Some protesters chanted slogans such as “He is not part of us, no room for strangers in our LCDA,” “Elders and leaders are to build things, not destroy them,” and “We want an indigenous leader, not a stranger.” Others raised their fists in the air while chanting, “Don’t sell Ojokoro to strangers,” “Don’t give us a stranger,” and “We want people from within, not outsiders.” Protesters also carried placards with messages like “We don’t want it, we don’t like it, strangers cannot lead us,” “Hon. Ojelabi, save APC Ojokoro,” “No imposition, Obasa is forcing it on us,” and “We demand a free and fair process.” Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria,  one of the protest leaders, Olusegun Akinoso-Olawaye, urged the party leaders not to ratify any imposed candidates. He stated, “Don’t place a leader on the people. Let all aspirants go to the field for free and fair primaries. We are not for violence; we are APC members, and we will not allow imposition. Many of these aspirants have spent their hard-earned money on the party, and we cannot allow their aspirations to be scuttled. We cannot let our house be led by strangers.” Akinoso-Olawaye emphasised the need for all aspirants to have the opportunity to test their political relevance in a fair contest. He also drew attention to President Bola Tinubu’s participation in party primaries at the presidential level, stating that all aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity in the same way. Another protest leader, Mrs Raimot Bello, added that the protest was aimed at preventing the installation of an unfamiliar figure as the next council chairman, which they believed would be detrimental to the party. Other protesters, including Alhaji Karimu Yusuf and Prophet Kayode, alleged that APC leaders were planning to impose a “stranger” as the chairmanship candidate for the council. Addressing the protesters, the Chairman of Ojokoro LCDA, Mr. Hammed Tijani, commended the demonstrators for their peaceful conduct and assured them that no one would be imposed as a candidate. “There is nothing like imposition. Meetings are still ongoing. We are all APC members, and the party will not be destroyed. I want to assure you that there is nothing like imposition; we are sorting out a lot of things,” Tijani said. Also speaking, the APC Chairman in the council, Mr. Jelili Oseni, assured the protesters that Ojokoro would not descend into violence. “Those who have worked for the party will be rewarded. There is no imposition here,” Oseni stated. NAN reported that during the protest, party leaders and stakeholders, including former Lagos Assembly member Mr. Ipoola Omisore and former House of Representatives member Mr. James Owolabi, were present at the council secretariat.