Three Nigerians based in the United States of America, Olumide Olorunfunmi, Samson Amos and Emmanuel Unuigbe, could be sentenced to a combined jail term of 60 years for alleged money laundering to the tune of $4.5m.

TheNigerian Metro learnt in a statement by the US Department of Justice obtained on Sunday that the trio conspired among themselves to launder money which caused losses to about 125 victims in the US.

It added that the laundered money was proceeds from romance scams and business email compromise schemes.

The statement noted that while the duo of Amos and Unuigbe pleaded guilty in 2023, Olorunfunmi admitted guilty while being arraigned before a federal court on Friday.

It read, “Olumide Olorunfunmi, 39, a Nigerian national, appeared in federal court in Charlotte today and pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy for laundering millions in criminal proceeds linked to romance scams and business email compromise schemes.

“According to documents filed with the court and today’s plea hearing, the scheme caused more than 125 victims to transfer over $4.5 million of proceeds stemming from illegal activities.”

“Two of Olorunfunmi’s co-conspirators, both Nigerian nationals, have also pleaded guilty to federal charges and are awaiting sentencing.”

Stressing the individual’s role in the scheme, the statement noted that the victims were directed to deposit money into accounts controlled by Amos and his co-conspirators who then transferred the monies to accounts in Nigeria.

The schemes, which were orchestrated between 2020 and 2023, also saw the defendants keeping a percentage of the monies that were deposited by the victims.

It continued, “As Olorunfunmi admitted in court today, from 2020 through 2023, Olorunfunmi conspired with Amos, Unuigbe, and others to launder the criminal proceeds of various illegal activities, including romance scams that typically targeted elderly victims and business email compromise schemes.

“Court records show that the victims of the schemes were directed to transfer funds into domestic and international bank accounts controlled by Olorunfunmi and his co-conspirators. Upon receiving the fraud proceeds, Olorunfunmi and his co-conspirators transferred the funds to other bank accounts, in the U.S. and overseas.

“They also profited by agreeing to ‘pay’ for the domestic deposits received by others by transferring Nigerian Naira from accounts the co-conspirators controlled in Nigeria to other accounts, based upon a “black market” exchange rate for United States Dollars to Naira.”

The statement concluded that each of the defendants risks 20 20-year jail term for the offence of conspiracy.

“The charge of money laundering conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set,” it concluded.

The South-West zone of the National Association of University Students has called on the Federal Government to reverse the hike in telecommunication tariffs.

The university student body said the country would witness the mobilisation of learners against the hike if the government and other stakeholders failed to address the issue.

Other imperative issues that NAUS asked the government to address included rising insecurity on campuses, epileptic power supply, and incessant strikes, among others.

The students made these demands known in a press conference held on Thursday in Lagos.

According to the statement signed by the NAUS National Vice President (South-West), Tiamiyu Olayinka, the reversal of increased telecommunication tariffs was crucial as students depend on affordable internet access to learn in this digital age.

“Students across campuses depend on affordable internet access to attend virtual lectures, conduct research, submit assignments, and participate in online discussions.

“By increasing telecom tariffs, these critical academic engagements are being disrupted. We call on relevant authorities to act swiftly and responsibly to address pressing concerns.

“Failure to meet up with our demands will leave us with no choice than to moblise students across South-West and take a bold step to defend our rights and secure a better academic environment for all,” it added.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has disclosed that it will arraign the 37 suspected Internet fraudsters arrested in different locations in the Ilorin area of Kwara State in court.

According to a statement by the commission on Wednesday, the suspects were arrested following credible intelligence about their activities in the Tanke Oke-Odo, Alao Farm Estate, Yidi Road, and Irewolede areas of Ilorin.

The statement noted that operatives of the commission arrested 15 of the suspects in a location in the Tanke area of the state capital, while 22 others were arrested in an earlier operation in other parts of the state capital.

The statement read, “Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, arrested 15 suspected internet fraudsters in the Tanke Oke-Odo area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

“Officers of the directorate had earlier on Friday, March 22, 2025, arrested 22 suspected Internet fraudsters in Tanke, Alao Farm Estate, Yidi Road, and Irewolede areas of Ilorin.

“Both arrests brought to 37 the number of suspected Internet fraudsters rounded up in Ilorin by the anti-graft in a space of one week.”

The statement added that exhibits including luxury cars, smartphones and laptops were recovered from the suspects.

It continued that the suspect would be charged in court upon the conclusion of an ongoing investigation.

“The arrest of the suspects followed credible intelligence that linked them to fraudulent internet activities. Items recovered from them at the point of arrest included eight luxury cars, smartphones and high-end laptop computers.

“The suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” the statement concluded.

TheNigerian Metro reported on February 25 that the EFCC operatives arrested 59 individuals for alleged internet fraud.

According to the agency, the suspects were apprehended at Abacha Road in the Mararaba area, a key gateway between Nasarawa State and Abuja.

Upon their arrest, 73 mobile phones of various brands were recovered from them.

Two Nigerians based in the United States of America, Solomon Aluko and Nosakhare Nobore, alongside four others, are at risk of 62 years’ imprisonment each following their arraignment before a New York court on allegations of defrauding the US government to the tune of $50m.

TheNigerian Metro gathered from a court document obtained on the US Department of Justice website on Sunday that the suspects were arraigned on four counts bordering on conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity, conspiracy to defraud the government, and aggravated identity theft.

The court document indicated that the suspects committed the offences between March 2020 and March 2025, in the Southern District of New York and across other places in the US.

The charge sheet noted that “the defendants, and others, worked together to steal money that did not belong to them by passing counterfeit, stolen, and fraudulently obtained cheques. They submitted the cheques to banks and then withdrew or transferred funds before the banks could determine that the cheques were counterfeit, stolen, or fraudulent.”

According to the document, the defendants allegedly stole information and identities of different individuals and businesses and used the information and identities to open bank accounts through one of their members, who was a bank teller at the time.

The bank accounts were allegedly used to deposit fraudulently obtained cheques from different US agencies.

It continued, “Once the cheques were deposited, the defendants withdrew the fraudulently obtained funds in cash or transferred them to other bank accounts under their control.

“Throughout their scheme, the defendants attempted to obtain approximately $80 million in total. They succeeded in depositing approximately $50 million.”

In a statement accompanying the document on the DoJ website, it was revealed that the suspects created a ‘fraud bible’, which contained specific instructions on how each member of the syndicate would operate.

It further noted that the syndicate also openly communicated its operations via a Telegram group where discussions on their operations were held.

Commenting on the activities of the syndicate, the statement quoted the US FBI Acting Assistant Director, Leslie R. Backschies, as saying, “These six defendants allegedly used sham businesses, stolen, and fake identities to operate a multi-year cheque fraud scheme, resulting in $50 million in illicit funds being deposited into their accounts.

“The defendants brazenly attempted to exploit multiple United States government programmes in their attempts to illegally enrich themselves. The FBI will continue to ensure fraudsters attempting to lie, cheat, and steal from the government answer for their crimes in the criminal justice system.”

Similarly, the US IRS Special Agent in Charge of the case, Harry Chavis, said, “This group of suspects openly communicated about their fraud, taking pride in the multiple schemes that stole nearly $50 million from the American public.

“They lied and cheated a benefits system meant to help struggling businesses that need it, all while stealing cheques from agencies that assist the elderly and veterans. This gang of ‘bag hunters’ will now face justice for multiple charges.”

Following their indictment, the statement noted that the suspects could be sentenced to 62 years imprisonment each for the four counts.

It acknowledged that the defendants were presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.

“Anand, 34, of Queens, New York; Nobore, 29, of Edgewater, New Jersey; Pappas, 28, of Miami, Florida; Ujkic, 44, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Aluko, 29, of Hackensack, New Jersey; and Gonzalez, 28, of North Bergen, New Jersey, are each charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; conspiracy to commit money laundering and engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from specific unlawful activity, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; conspiracy to defraud the government, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison.

“The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

“The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,” the statement concluded.

As the move to form a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027 intensifies, Sunday TheNigerian has learnt that the ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and zoning dispute are stalling negotiations among political leaders.

A reliable source involved in the coalition discussions revealed that the camps of 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, were demanding that power should stay in the South for eight years.

The source revealed that the delay in negotiations was due to uncertainty surrounding whether Atiku would run.

According to him, the participants in the coalition drive, particularly from the South, were hesitant to fully engage in the discussions to avoid jeopardising their ambitions and zones.

Coalition moves unveiled

On Thursday, the 2023 presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku; Labour Party’s Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, announced the formation of a coalition to oust President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

There had been a growing debate about whether opposition parties should unite to challenge President Tinubu’s administration. The discussion later gained momentum, as various political figures expressed differing views.

Atiku had consistently emphasised the need for unity among opposition parties.

In his comments on March 8, 2025 he revealed that he was actively working to unite opposition groups to form a coalition to remove the APC from power.

Following El-Rufai’s shift from the APC to the Social Democratic Party on March 10, discussions among opposition leaders gained momentum.

Atiku, along with other opposition figures, declared that the last Thursday gathering marked the official beginning of the coalition.

He said, “Yes, this is the birth of the coalition of opposition ahead of 2027.”

Other opposition leaders present at the press conference included a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; the National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ahmeh; and the Convenor of the Alternative, Segun Showunmi, among others.

Among those involved in the coalition, but whose apologies for absence were noted, were leaders from the ruling APC, including former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); and the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Adamu, among others.

Why talks stalled

Our source disclosed that negotiations were stalled because the key figures in the coalition discussions intended to run in the 2027 election.

He stated, “What I can tell you is that quite a lot of people are involved in the coalition. However, they fear zoning. You know that Obi and Amaechi are very much interested in replacing Tinubu, so their camps want power to remain in the South.

“Meanwhile, the Atiku camp is also pushing for the former Vice President to take another shot at the presidency in 2027. So, largely, the zoning issue and Atiku’s uncertain position on 2027 are stalling the negotiations.

“The southerners who want to replace Tinubu are afraid to get involved without knowing Atiku’s stance. If they get involved and, in the future, the coalition declares the race open to all, and Atiku grabs it like he did in 2019 and 2023 in the PDP, most of them would jeopardise their ambitions and potentially shortchange their region.

“This is why many are not participating openly or attending the meetings, like at the last press conference. So, that’s the situation. It’s one thing to agree on a coalition, as they have all agreed on the need for opposition political parties or their leaders to come together. But without clarifying whether they support another Southerner taking over from Tinubu (zoning), the discussion will remain unresolved. It may even give a few leaders reasons not to participate.”

Speaking on this, the National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ahmeh, and a close ally of Obi confirmed the camp’s position, stating that stakeholders should support a Southern candidate to run in 2027.

In an interview with Sunday TheNigerian, Ahmeh expressed confidence that a Southern candidate could defeat Tinubu in 2027.

He stated, “We cannot disregard the unwritten agreement between the North and South. So, the best option for those of us in the coalition is to allow the South to complete their eight years, so that the North can come. So, we have to get a southern candidate with the momentum to lead the coalition.

“I am a northerner. By all definitions, by all geographical location, I am a northerner. But one thing I am stating clearly is that we already have an unwritten agreement. We agree that power shall rotate between the South and North. And it shall be on eight years basis. But it is not automatic because it is still subject to elections. People will contest elections, and Nigerians will decide.

“Parties involved in the coalition should be able to consider that this agreement is already there, and we should honour it. The North must understand that all it takes for a country to develop is the principle of understanding, sharing and co-existence, dictated by the fact that we carry and accommodate all corners, regions, and tribes of this country through consensus.

“For me, I believe that this arrangement will be of benefit to the North. The reason why the government system has failed in Nigeria is that we are driven by mediocrity. We are not looking at competence, merit, and ability. If we are looking at competence, merit, and ability, and governance starts to work, I know that in the nearest future, when we have a robust democracy, governance will work for the interests of the people. Then this issue of region, this issue of tribe, will disappear automatically.

“But for now, since it exists, it is in our interest that we do not break that unwritten agreement. Because if we break it, and if a Northern is running on the mutual coalition discussion, I assure you that before 12 o’clock, there will be a consensus with the South to defeat that coalition.”

He insisted that for the coalition to grow into a majority and for the opposition to win the election, there must be an agreement for a southern candidate.

NNPP, PDP oppose zoning

Buba Galadima, a leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and a close ally of the NNPP’s 2023 Presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, clarified that there was no agreement between the North and South.

While speaking with Sunday TheNigerian, Galadima emphasized that opposition parties should focus on ensuring credible elections rather than worrying about the zones from which presidential candidates originated.

He stated, “I don’t discuss the North and I don’t discuss the South when I speak on democracy. Okay. If Tinubu is finishing and has done well, and Nigerians decide to vote for Seyi Tinubu, I have no grudge, provided that there is a free and fair election.

“I have no grudge because that is democracy. Opposition should be more concerned about credible election, than this North and South thing.

“And anybody who tells you there is any understanding or agreement between the North and South, tell him he’s a liar. And he doesn’t understand what democracy is. He doesn’t understand what politics is. As far as I am concerned, I am talking about democracy, I am not talking about North and South.”

The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, stated that the coalition ticket should be open to all Nigerians.

In an interview with The TheNigerian, Osadolor claimed that President Tinubu, a Southerner, had damaged the economy, and therefore, coalition leaders should abandon the North-South zoning system.

APC, Atiku trade words over coalition

The APC Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, ridiculed the coalition discussions, stating that a building could not stand on a faulty foundation.

Ibrahim, while speaking to Sunday TheNigerian, referred to Atiku as a contestant who was solely focused on his ambition.

He stated, “A building on a weak foundation cannot stand. So, the coalition is already faulty from the beginning. Atiku is always advancing just his interest. Atiku is just a contestant. He is not a democrat. He is a contestant as far as he is concerned. Everything he is doing, if it is not going to favor his candidature, he is not going to do it.

“So, he is not doing it in the interest of the nation. He is doing it in his own personal interest. Now, when personal interest supersedes national interest, there is just no way you can win the heart of the nation.

“So, no way, it won’t work. This thing has been done before. It failed, they are going to do it again, and they will fail.”

In response, the media adviser to the former Vice President, Paul Ibe, criticised the APC, stating that if the party had performed well in governance, there would be no need for coalition talks to remove them.

Addressing the suggestion that Atiku’s unclear stance on the 2027 presidency and zoning was hindering coalition negotiations, Ibe told Sunday TheNigerian that the leaders involved would prioritise what was best for the nation.

He also urged stakeholders and Nigerians not to rush the process.

Atiku’s media adviser said, “It’s clear they (APC) don’t know what to do with the mandate given to them; instead, they are scheming for the future. Everything happening, from the declarations of state of emergency in Rivers State, to the destruction of the democratic space, stripping Nigeria of freedom and liberty, silencing people so that no one would have a voice. The emasculation of opposition parties is what they excel at—dividing Nigerians and creating instability.

“Prices are rising, and Nigerians can barely afford a meal. This situation makes you question the true agenda of the APC government. Is it to preside over the destruction, decimation, and obliteration of Nigeria? Is that why they sought power? They should focus on governance. If they had made something out of the mandate given to them, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

He explained that the main focus of all the leaders and stakeholders was to solidify the coalition.

“It’s not just about one individual; it’s a collective effort. I believe they are discussing what is best for them, so we shouldn’t preempt them. Let’s not put the cart before the horse. I believe the priority of all these leaders and stakeholders is how to firmly establish this coalition to have a robust one.

“The goal is to oust the All Progressives Congress (APC), and I believe that’s what’s most important to them right now, not what has been suggested so far,” he added.

A tragic truck explosion near Karu Bridge in Abuja on Wednesday evening left six people dead and 14 vehicles destroyed, causing widespread panic among commuters and residents.

One of the survivors, Mr. Elvis Samuel, in an interview on Thursday recounted the moment the accident unfolded.

He said, “I think around 6pm or so we were coming back from town, unfortunately we got here and there was heavy hold up. So, we were waiting for traffic to go slow. The next thing we heard was ‘trailer don fail brake o.’ Then, the next we heard was fire outbreak, everybody was running for his life.”

He described the chaos as flames spread rapidly, “Myself, I saw fire on my face. So, I was trying to defend myself. Look at all these wounds.

“So, I ran out. We heard explosion, then good Samaritans helped me to tow the vehicle. If not, it would have been burnt.”

Eyewitnesses described how the trailer crashed into multiple vehicles before igniting a massive explosion that engulfed the area.

Emergency responders, including the fire service, arrived at the scene to battle the inferno, but not before significant damage had already been done.

According to the FCT police command, the explosion occurred around 7:14pm, resulting in multiple casualties and extensive property loss.

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The Department of State Services has arrested three workers of the Lagos State House of Assembly for allegedly attacking its personnel on February 18.

Some individuals had manhandled DSS personnel during a drama that ensued at the assembly on Monday.

The assembly, in a letter dated February 14, 2025, and signed by the acting clerk, A. T. B. Ottun, had invited the DSS to provide more security at the assembly.

According to the letter with referenced LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323 the DSS was instructed to ensure strict access to the facility from February 15 till further notice.

However, a source in the DSS claimed that the personnel deployed in the complex were attacked by some individuals.

The source stated that after analysis of the CCTV footage, three persons who assaulted their personnel were traced and have been arrested.

The source said, “Some of our personnel deployed to the Lagos House of Assembly were attacked on Monday. Our personnel were there because we were invited to provide security there. After extensive analysis of CCTV footage, we were able to clearly identify three of the suspects.

“The suspects, Ibrahim Olanrewaju Abdulkareem, a photographer and two others attached to the Assembly’s Seargent at Arms, Adetu Adekunle Samsudeen and Adetola Oluwatosin Fatimoh, a lady, were consequently tracked and arrested during the week in different parts of Lagos,”

The source said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

A human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, confirmed the arrest while speaking to Sunday TheNigerian.

He disclosed that the suspects had been released on bail.

“I can confirm that the three assembly workers who were arrested by DSS have been released on bail,” he said.

The UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off draw was revealed on Friday, setting up exciting clashes between some of Europe’s top clubs.

The ties are scheduled to take place on February 11/12 and 18/19.
The draw has paired Atalanta against Club Brugge, while Borussia Dortmund will face Sporting CP in a battle between German and Portuguese giants.

England’s Manchester City will take on Spain’s Real Madrid in what promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the round.

Elsewhere, Bayern Munich will meet Celtic, while PSV Eindhoven will lock horns with Juventus.

AC Milan have been drawn against Feyenoord, and Paris Saint-Germain will face Brest in an all-French encounter. Lastly, Benfica will take on AS Monaco.

With some of Europe’s biggest clubs involved, the knockout play-offs are set to be highly competitive as teams battle for a place in the next stage of the tournament.

See the full list below

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About 3,690 Nigerians in the United States are faced with deportation as Donald Trump begins a crackdown on illegal immigrants in the country.

In a document compiled by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and sighted by our correspondent on Tuesday, the agency revealed the data is broken down by nationality and number of people faced with deportation.

It also clarified that as of November 24, 2024, there are 1,445,549 non-citizens on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders.

In the document titled “Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship”, Mexico and El Salvador top the list of nations facing the most deportation, with 252,044 and 203,822, respectively.

The ICE is charged with the responsibility of protecting America from cross-border crime and illegal immigration that threaten national security.

On Thursday last week, hundreds of migrants were arrested, and others flew out of the country on military aircraft as Trump’s promised mass deportation operation got underway.

The TheNigerian reports that Nigerians and other African illegal immigrants in the United States may be the next target for deportation by the American government.

The fear of deportation has gripped many Nigerians who are illegally staying in the US following Trump’s declaration of war against illegal immigration.

Trump, on his inauguration day as the 47th President of the US, signed a series of executive orders aimed at hardening immigration policies, including the stoppage of citizenship by birth for children of illegal immigrants.

Trump has signed orders to declare a national emergency at the Mexico-US southern border, stating the deployment of more troops to the area as he threatened to deport “criminal aliens.”

Recently, President Gustavo Petro of Colombia has relented and will allow US military planes to fly deportees into the country after turning two transports back in response to what he called inhumane treatment.

The two leaders had engaged in a war of words on Sunday after Colombia’s move to block Trump’s use of military aircraft in deporting thousands of unauthorised immigrants.

But on Sunday night, the White House released a statement in which it said that because Petro had agreed to all of its terms, the tariffs and sanctions Trump had threatened would be “held in reserve.”

Other penalties, such as visa sanctions, will remain in effect until the first planeload of deportees has arrived in Colombia, the statement said.

“Today’s events make clear to the world that America is respected again,” it added.

Colombia’s foreign ministry released a statement soon afterwards that read, “We have overcome the impasse with the United States government.”

It said the government would accept all deportation flights and “guarantee dignified conditions” for those Colombians on board.

Petro began the day by announcing that he had turned back US military planes carrying deported immigrants. This set off a furious back and forth with Trump, who in turn announced a barrage of tariffs and sanctions targeting the country, which has long been a top US ally in Latin America.

Trump said on social media that the United States would immediately impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Colombian imports and would raise them to 50 per cent after a week. The Trump administration would also “fully impose” banking and financial sanctions on Colombia, apply a travel ban on Colombian government officials and their associates, and revoke their visas, the president said.

Petro hit back on social media. In one post, he announced retaliatory tariffs of 25 per cent on US imports to Colombia; in another, longer post, he said those tariffs would hit 50 per cent.

See the full list below: