The Lagos state police command has confirmed that Paul Adefarasin, senior pastor and founder of House on the Rock church, has been granted bail.

Adefarasin was questioned by the police on Tuesday regarding a viral video that showed him pointing an object at a content creator while driving.

He voluntarily reported to the Lagos police command headquarters.

In the video, Adefarasin was seen lowering the tinted window of his Range Rover and pointing a gun-like object at the content creator before driving away.

The video triggered backlash, with social media users accusing the pastor of “possessing a firearm.” Adefarasin denied the allegation.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the police clarified that the item in question was not a lethal weapon but a stun gun.

A stun gun is a compact, battery-powered device used for self-defence. It delivers a high-voltage electric shock to temporarily disable an assailant, causing severe pain and involuntary muscle contractions.

Although non-lethal, stun guns can still result in injury.

According to the statement, Adefarasin was granted bail after being questioned.

“Paul Adefarasin, who turned himself in today at the Lagos State Police Command over a viral video where he was seen holding a gun-like object against another road user, was interrogated and he volunteered cautionary statement to the police investigators,” the statement said.

“What was recovered from him, the gun-like object seen in the viral video, is not a lethal weapon or firearm but a stun gun, which is a prohibited anti-riot equipment.

“The pastor has been granted bail while investigations continue into the case.”

President Bola Tinubu arrived in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, on Wednesday afternoon as part of efforts to respond to the recent violent incidents in the state.

He landed at Makurdi Airport, situated within the Nigerian Air Force Tactical Air Command Base, at approximately 12:58 p.m.

The President is scheduled to visit Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area, one of the locations impacted by the attacks.

He is also set to engage with key stakeholders to explore solutions for ending the violence and restoring peace in the state.

To mark the President’s visit, the Benue State Government declared Wednesday a public holiday.

More to come…

A court in the United States has sentenced five Nigerians to a total of more than 159 years in prison for defrauding over 100 Americans, businesses, and government agencies of $17m.

This information was disclosed in a statement published on the website of the US Department of Justice on Wednesday. The statement was signed by Ray Combs, the acting US Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas.

According to the statement, the convicts—Damilola Kumapayi, Sandra Iribhogbe, Edgal Iribhogbe, Chidindu Okeke, and Chiagoziem Okeke—were members of a transnational organised crime syndicate.

The attorney said the defendants began their operations in 2017 and focused on deceiving elderly and vulnerable individuals through various methods to take their money, sometimes draining victims of their life savings.

Combs explained, “The defendants coordinated how to extract money from their victims, and then how to disguise, disburse, and launder that money once they successfully defrauded their victims.

“The scheme resulted in approximately $17 million fraudulently obtained from at least 100 individual victims, companies, and government entities from across the world. The scheme specifically targeted elderly persons and used various schemes, such as online dating sites, to lure their victims.

“Once funds were obtained from their victims, the defendants laundered the money through a network of various bank accounts and sent money to bank accounts, co-conspirators and businesses located in Africa and Asia.

After their arrests, they faced multiple charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering. They pleaded guilty to the charges.

Following their guilty pleas, US District Judge Amos Mazzant handed down varying sentences.

Combs noted that “Damilola Kumapayi, 39, of Plano, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to 109 months in federal prison.”

“Sandra Iribhogbe Popnen, 50, of Plano, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 365 months in federal prison.”

“Edgal Iribhogbe, 51, of Allen, was found guilty at trial of conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 480 months in federal prison.”

He continued, “Chidindu Okeke, 32, of Houston, was found guilty at trial of conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 480 months in federal prison.

“Chiagoziem Okeke, 32, of Houston, was found guilty at trial of conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 480 months in federal prison.”

Combs stated that the sentencing demonstrates the US government’s commitment to holding fraudsters accountable.

“Transnational organised criminals targeting the hard-earned savings of elderly and vulnerable populations are simply despicable.

“The defendants’ lengthy sentences in this case reflect the seriousness of their crimes and the dedication of law enforcement officers and prosecutors to bring them to justice,” Combs concluded.