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BREAKING: Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Is Dead

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The Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, is dead.

His demise was confirmed via the officially Facebook page of the church.

He was said to have died on Monday, August 7, in the United States of America (USA).

His first wife, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya, was among the passengers who boarded the ill-fated Sosoliso Airlines Flight 1145 going to Port Harcourt from Abuja in 2005.

The plane was involved in a crash while landing at Port Harcourt International Airport on December 10th. Although the female cleric survived the initial impact, she died from injuries on December 11, 2005.

He later married another woman, who died in November 2021 after battling with cancer.

May his soul rest in peace.

BIG STORY

Police Stop Dreaded Igbo Ajofia Nnewi Masquerade From Entering Lagos, Cite Cultural Sensitivity, Security Concerns

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The Lagos State Police Commissioner, CP Ishola Olarewaju Olawale, has prohibited the Ajofia Nnewi Masquerade from entering Lagos for the Igbo Festival, citing concerns over public safety and the potential breach of peace.

This decision was made following a meeting between Igbo stakeholders in Lagos and the police commissioner.

The Ajofia Nnewi Masquerade, referred to as the “Evil Forest,” holds significant cultural and traditional value in Igbo society.

However, its proposed appearance in Lagos has been met with strong opposition from various Yoruba communities in the state, who have raised concerns and reservations about its presence.

CP Olawale explained that both residents and indigenes were uncomfortable with the masquerade’s presence in Lagos after a group associated with it boasted about unleashing mayhem.

He played a video recording showing the masquerade performing rituals, which heightened suspicions about their intentions.

The police commissioner emphasized that every tribe has its own masquerade, which operates within its cultural context, and that the Ajofia is an Igbo masquerade that should not come to Lagos State, which is home to another tribe.

Eze Nwachukwu, responding on behalf of Ndigbo, thanked the CP for the meeting and acknowledged the message.

Despite Eze Nwachukwu’s emphasis on the peaceful nature of the festival featuring the Ajofia Nnewi Masquerade in Lagos, indigenous people of the state have voiced strong objections to its appearance. They are concerned that it could pose a risk to individuals who are unfamiliar with the traditional significance and cultural context of the masquerade.

According to reports, in Igbo mythology, the Ajofia Nnewi Masquerade is believed to possess spiritual powers, which can be unsettling for those who do not share the same cultural beliefs.

Furthermore, the masquerade’s name, “Evil Forest,” evokes a sense of mystery and foreboding, which can be intimidating to those unfamiliar with its cultural significance.

The Ajofia Nnewi Masquerade is traditionally not performed in front of women, which adds to its air of mystery and exclusivity.

The masquerade’s performances often involve elaborate rituals and ceremonies, which can be perceived as “dangerous” or “threatening” by those who do not understand their cultural context.

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BIG STORY

FBI Traces Bobo Chicago’s Million-Dollar Fraud To African Shrine Club, Owner Loses Licence

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Nevada state authorities have revoked the license of the African Shrine, operated by Wale Ogundana in Las Vegas, after the FBI traced proceeds from stolen funds by suspected Nigerian fraudster Bobo Chicago to the entertainment venue.

The FBI arrested the notorious fraudster, Oluyomi Omobolanle Bombata, also known as Bobo Chicago, in Illinois, Chicago, on November 20. As agents expanded their investigation and followed the money trail, they discovered that African Shrine had received part of the fraudulent funds.

The FBI found that Bobo Chicago, 25, had wired $394,000 to African Shrine in Las Vegas, drawing Mr. Ogundana into the case. Agents then launched a criminal investigation to determine the extent of his involvement with the suspect, if any.

In response, the Nevada state government immediately moved to revoke Mr. Ogundana’s license to operate the nightclub, a decision that could severely affect his finances, given that Las Vegas is a city renowned for its nightlife, which includes clubs, casinos, liquor stores, and other adult entertainment.

Mr. Ogundana has been banned from engaging in any entertainment business, including nightclubs, liquor sales, and related activities.

Mr. Ogundana did not respond to requests for comments to clarify his involvement—or lack of involvement—in Bobo Chicago’s alleged multi-million dollar fraud scheme.

The 25-year-old alleged scammer is accused of hacking into computers, particularly the emails of individuals and corporate organizations, to steal their funds. The FBI has tracked $2.8 million in stolen money between June 2023 and October 2023.

The FBI is continuing its efforts to locate Bobo Chicago’s accomplices and is also investigating Mr. Ogundana’s activities in Las Vegas.

Bobo Chicago, for his part, claimed that he could not afford an attorney to fight the charges and was relying on a public defender provided by Oklahoma state.

He was initially arrested in Illinois, Chicago, but was later transferred to Oklahoma, where he allegedly committed the crimes. He is now facing five counts of fraud.

Several Nigerians have been apprehended by law enforcement in the U.S. for committing fraud, including infamous Instagram influencer Ramon Ray ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas and Mr. Woodberry. The two are currently serving sentences at the Fort Dix Correctional Facility in New Jersey.

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BIG STORY

N52m Fraud: Lagos General Overseer, Wife Bag 16 Years In Prison, Church Closed Down

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A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on Wednesday convicted and sentenced a couple, Harry Uyanwanne and Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa (a.k.a Kristein Uyanwanne), alongside Temple International Church.

Justice Mojisola Dada delivered the verdict after finding them guilty of the charges brought against them.

The judge also ordered that the third defendant, Temple International Church, be deregistered and closed down for exploiting the name of God and the church to defraud people.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed seven charges related to stealing, dishonest conversion, false presentation, and fraud against the convicts.

When the EFCC arraigned the couple on February 25, 2020, they pleaded not guilty, and the prosecution began its case.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by Mr. Babatunde Sonoiki, called five witnesses, while the defense presented two witnesses.

In her judgment, Justice Dada ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, finding both defendants guilty.

Justice Dada sentenced Harry Uyanwanne to three years in prison on count one. On counts two through six, Uyanwanne was sentenced to seven years in prison. Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa (a.k.a Kristein Uyanwanne) was sentenced to three years in prison, but the court acquitted both defendants on count seven.

Uyanwanne received a 10-year sentence, while Odemuyiwa was sentenced to six years. The judge ordered that the sentences run concurrently.

Additionally, Justice Dada ordered that Temple International Church, the third convict, be deregistered and closed down, stating: “Using the name of God and church to defraud people, I order that the third convict should be deregistered and closed down.”

The judge further ordered the convicts to restitute the sum of N31 million to the nominal complainant within 60 days of the judgment.

The EFCC had alleged that in March 2016, the convicts dishonestly converted N10 million, the property of the late Mrs. Janet Adeola Odemuyiwa, for their own use. The anti-graft agency claimed that the convicts, with the intent to defraud, sold a property known as Plot 32, Block 9, Magodo Residential Scheme 1, Ikeja Local Government, to one Mr. Kingsley Atere for N42 million, falsely presenting that Harry Uyanwanne had the authorization to sell the property from its legitimate owner, the late Mrs. Odemuyiwa.

According to the EFCC, the offences violated Section 1 (2) and (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14, 2006, and Sections 278 and 285 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria No. 11, 2011.

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