News
Smuggled Nigerian petrol floods W’African markets, sells N1,700/litre
The Federal Government, on Monday, raised the alarm over the renewed smuggling of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, following the massive hike in the pump price of the commodity in neighbouring countries.
It stated that while the average price of petrol in Nigeria was about N701/litre, the average cost of the product in neighbouring countries was N1,787/litre, a development that heightened PMS smuggling out of Nigeria in the past two weeks.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, who disclosed this at a press conference in Yola, said the NCS had to join forces with the Office of the National Security Adviser to tackle the menace.
He said, “Today, we are here to update members of the public on the strategic efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service in addressing the critical issue of fuel smuggling through the recently launched Operation Whirlwind, under the auspices of the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“About a year ago, the Federal Government made the bold strategic decision to remove the fuel subsidy. This crucial step was aimed at freeing up substantial funds that could be redirected to other productive sectors of the economy, reducing pressure on our foreign exchange reserves, and diversifying economic growth.
“The immediate impact was an upward adjustment in fuel prices to reflect current realities. Despite the inflationary pressures and financial strain on households, particularly those with lower incomes, comparative studies still show that fuel prices in Nigeria remain the cheapest compared to other countries in the West and Central African region,” he stated.
PMS prices
Speaking further, Adeniyi said, “While PMS is sold at an average of N701.99 in Nigeria, it is sold at an average of N1,672.05 in the Republic of Benin and N2,061.55 in Cameroon. In other countries around the region, the price of PMS ranges from N1,427.68 in Liberia to N2,128.20 in Mali, averaging N1,787.57, according to the fuel price data obtained from opensource.”
The customs boss said this comparative price advantage, though beneficial to Nigerian citizens, unfortunately, created a lucrative incentive for smuggling PMS out of Nigeria, where prices were two to three times higher.
He said this is substantiated by the report on the average daily evacuation of PMS to various states in Nigeria, obtained from the Nigeria National Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
In his speech, which was made available to our correspondent in Abuja, he said, “The (NMDPRA) report shows significant changes in evacuation patterns that are not justified by corresponding economic and demographic changes, particularly in border states that share contiguous borders with our neighbours.
“Between April and May 2024, Borno and Kebbi states recorded 76 and 59 per cent increases in evacuations, ranking among the top three states. On a year-on-year basis (May 2023 and May 2024), Sokoto and Taraba states recorded the most substantial increases in evacuations, with 247 and 234 per cent increases, respectively.
“Border states like Katsina and Kebbi also recorded more than 50 per cent increases in evacuation. These discrepancies, along with the price disparity between domestic PMS (N701.99) and neighbouring countries (N1,787.57), raise concerns about the actual delivery of PMS and the potential for smuggling.”
Adeniyi said credible intelligence on activities around border areas corroborated these suspicions.
“In response to the alarming increase in fuel smuggling, the NCS in close collaboration with the NSA initiated Operation Whirlwind. This nationwide operation aims to: a. Ensure that Nigerians enjoy the full benefits of fuel price deregulation in line with the vision of President Bola Tinubu.
Defend the national currency and reduce pressures that may be attributed to the activities of smugglers. c. Identify, dismantle and disrupt cartels of smugglers operating within the ecosystem. d. Raise awareness of the local communities and solicit their support to achieve these objectives,” he stated.
Anti-smuggling team
He said the operations, which were guided by credible intelligence and empowered by the new Customs Act 2023, target illegal exportation, particularly of petroleum products, ensuring their availability within the country and conserving government resources.
“Coordinated by a Comptroller of Customs, the operation covers all NCS Zones (A-D), involving selected officers trained and equipped to handle the task with strict adherence to professionalism.
“Collaboration with the ONSA and the NMDPRA supports the operation, utilising internal and external sources. This operation was launched approximately two weeks ago,” Adeniyi stated.
According to him, the NCS had made some significant strides in the ongoing Operation Whirlwind, aimed at curbing the smuggling of Premium Motor Spirit out of the country.
“In the past two weeks we have received credible intelligence on the relative stability of the price of PMS around border states, this is easily attributed to disruptions in the operations of smugglers. Within seven days of intensive operations, a total of 150,950 litres of PMS, valued at N 105,965,391, have been intercepted at various locations nationwide.
“The seizures include: a. On Friday, May 31, 2024. A total of 45,000 litres of PMS in a tanker was seized at Mova, Adamawa. b. On Saturday, June 1, 2024, a total of 45,000 litres of PMS in a tanker was seized at Mubi, Adamawa. c.On Monday, June 3, 2024, a total of 2,375 litres of PMS in 95 25-litre jerrycans were seized at Mubi, Adamawa State.
On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, a total of 4,450 litres of PMS in 178 25-litre jerrycans were seized in three different locations, including Song-Wuroboki, Mubi-Sahuda road and Gidan Madara
– Sahuda road all in Adamawa. e. On Thursday, June 6, 2024, a total of 20,030 litres of PMS in 25 and 30-litre jerrycans were sized in various locations across
the country including Maiha, Adamawa State, Illela, Sokoto and Agbaragba Creek in Mfum border of Cross River State.
On Friday, June 7, 2024, a total of 32,900 litres of PMS were seized at border locations in the North-East and South-West axis of the country. A total of 17,500 litres was recorded in Mubi, Adamawa State, while 15,400 litres was recorded around Imeko Obada Road in 616 25-litre jerrycans. g. On Saturday, June 8, 2024, a total of 8,525 litres of PMS were also seized in two separate locations in Owode (Owode-Ilaro road and Owode-Atan road) in Ogun State.”
Adeniyi stated that in addition to the ongoing operations under Operation Whirlwind, the Customs Area Commands remained vigilant against the illicit activities. of smugglers targeting PMS.
He said the service had recorded significant seizures of PMS from unpatriotic individuals attempting to deprive Nigerians of access to fuel and cause unnecessary hardship.
“While the operation continues, our Federal Operating Units and Marine Commands have intercepted a total of 129,185 litres of fuel valued at N90,558,685. Notably, 54.48 per cent of these seizures occurred in the North-West region, including states such as Katsina, Kebbi, and Sokoto, while 23.87 per cent of the seizures were recorded in the North-Eastern part of the country, particularly in states like Taraba and Adamawa.
“It is worth noting that these states have also seen a significant increase in fuel evacuation as reported by the NMDPRA. It is now evident that the recent rise in the distribution of PMS to border states is driven by the activities of smugglers.
“A combined diversion of 280,135 litres of PMS worth N196,524,075.50 raises serious economic concerns with broader implications on national security. The quantum of this diversion is equivalent to more than 84 per cent of the daily evacuation of PMS to states like Ekiti and Jigawa. It also represents around 32.57 per cent of the daily evacuation to the border states of Borno and Katsina according to the data on average daily evacuation obtained from NMDPRA,” Adeniyi said.
He noted that if these activities were left unchecked, they could further deteriorate the country’s economic situation and exacerbate current foreign exchange challenges.
The customs helmsman stated that the influx of unaccounted foreign currency could be channelled into funding illegitimate activities, including the support of non-state actors engaged in criminal activities against the Nigerian state.
“These issues have serious implications for national security, making it imperative to check, curtail, and dismantle these illicit operations. Achieving this requires the cooperation and collaboration of patriotic government agencies, exemplified by the ongoing Operation Whirlwind.
“Under this collaboration, efforts are being made to resolve existing gaps in the following areas: a. Sharing of Critical Data Among Agencies. Ongoing engagement with the NMDPRA and the ONSA focuses on sharing daily data on PMS loading. This will enable the NCS to track the movement and delivery of these products to their intended locations.
Monitoring movement of PMS lifting. The NCS will enforce strict monitoring of tanker movements, ensuring that
PMS products lifted from NMDPRA facilities are delivered to approved locations. c. Use of Manual Systems by Independent Marketers. Independent marketers are advised to automate their existing fleet management systems to enable tracking and geo-fencing
capabilities.
Proliferation of fuel stations at border areas. The NCS will collaborate with relevant licensing agencies to manage the proliferation of petrol stations around border areas,” Adeniyi stated.
He said these measures were essential and would be rigorously implemented to ensure strict adherence to government expectations.
“However, in enforcing these measures, we are mindful of the potential challenges they may pose to border communities. Our operations will not obstruct or interfere with the legitimate activities of patriotic citizens in these areas. I will conclude with a stern warning to the perpetrators of these illicit acts: Desist immediately or face the full wrath of the law,” Adeniyi declared.
Petrol subsidy
On May 29 2023, the Federal Government removed the subsidy on petrol.
Earlier in February that year, the government declared that it had to shut down 270 filling stations in a bid to stop the smuggling of petrol out of Nigeria.
It said the activities of smugglers pushed Nigeria’s petrol consumption daily to about 67 million litres because a large volume of the product was moved out of the country illegally by smugglers.
The PUNCH precisely reported on February 3, 2023 that the Federal Government had to deploy operatives of the Department of State Services on tankers transporting petrol to filling stations to halt the diversion and smuggling of the product.
The report stated that over 120 DSS officers were deployed at the time to follow fuel tankers to their various retail outlets in Abuja, as more security agencies were drafted into the exercise for nationwide coverage.
This came as the government also revealed at the time that it shut down over 270 filling stations for being involved in diverse infractions such as hoarding and selling above-approved price, among others.
The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, disclosed this in Abuja during a live television programme monitored by our correspondent.
Speaking on efforts being put in place to halt the diversion and cross-border smuggling of PMS, Kyari had said, “So much is going on, there are government security interventions.
“I know the kind of work that we do with the security agencies, for instance, in Abuja alone, we have over 120 DSS officers following every truck to fuel stations and we are activating this across the country.
“We are ensuring that we get other government security agencies to follow these trucks to their locations, in order to be very sure that these trucks actually get to the fuel stations and there are not sold on the way and they don’t cross the borders.”
Kyari had earlier explained at a stakeholders meeting in Abuja that Nigeria’s fuel was smuggled to other countries, as he insisted that the scarcity of PMS at the time was not due to the elections that were held in February 2023.
“There’s no dispute about this that our fuel gets to other countries, including in marine containers. We have evidence now that some of our customers are actually taking investors to other countries and we will get to the root of this.
“The appropriate government security agencies will deal with this. But this is the reality that we are dealing with. You do have cross-border smuggling, either in the form of round-tripping or whatever name we call it.
“So the 66 or 67 million litres that you have always seen include all these, the cross-border smuggling volumes. And it means that anytime we don’t satisfy those markets, it will affect your domestic market. This is the reality that we are dealing with,” he stated.
The NMDPRA boss, while speaking on sanctions taken against downstream operators who flouted the approved regulations, stated that over 270 filling stations and seven depots were closed at the time.
Ahmed had said, “Because of control that we have in most of the major cities, whether it is Port Harcourt, Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, etc, the marketers tend to go to the rural areas where you can buy petrol at a high price.
“And, of course, it is our responsibility as a regulator to ensure strict monitoring and enforcement. What we did was that a couple of weeks ago we had to shut about seven depots because of the inflation of their ex-depot price.”
Source: The Punch
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the Managing Director of Fargo Petroleum and Gas Limited, Seun Ogunbambo, wanted for jumping bail in his trial over alleged oil subsidy fraud.
The EFCC made the declaration via a notice signed by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Friday, June 13, 2025.
The anti-graft agency said Ogunbambo allegedly defrauded the federal government in bogus oil subsidy claims to the tune of N976,653,110.28.
The commission stated: “He was facing trial before a Lagos State High Court but disappeared after being released on bail.
“His co-defendants, Mamman Nasir Ali and Christian Taylor, were convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment each on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
“Light complexioned Ogunbambo speaks English and Yoruba.
“His last known address is 2, Olamiyuyan Crescent, Ikoyi, Lagos.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Friday, June 13, 2025 arraigned the duo of Halima Buba and Innocent Mbagwu before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja for alleged fraud.
The defendants, who are Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank Ltd and Executive Director/Chief Compliance Officer of SunTrust Bank Ltd, respectively are being prosecuted on a six-count charge, bordering on money laundering to the tune of $12 million (Twelve Million Dollars).
Count two of the charge reads: “That you, HALIMA BUBA, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer SunTrust Bank Ltd, and INNOCENT MBAGWU being the Executive Director /Chief Compliance Officer SunTrust Bank Ltd on the 10th day of March, 2025 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court aided Femi Gbamgboye to make a cash payment of the sum of Three Million United States Dollars ($3,000,000) to Suleiman Muhammed Chiroma and associates without going through a financial institution and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2l(a), 2(1), 19(l)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19 (2) (b) of the same Act.”
Count three reads: “That you, HALIMA BUBA, the Managing Director/ChiefExecutive Officer of SunTrust Bank Ltd and INNOCENT MBAGWU, the Executive Director/Chief Compliance Officer of SunTrust Bank Ltd on the 13th day of March, 2025 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to make a cash payment of the sum of Three Million United States Dollars ($3,000,000) to Mukhtar Miko an associate of Suleiman Muhammed Chiroma without going through a financial institution and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2l(a), 2( 1 ), 19(1 )( d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19 (2) (b) of the same Act.”
They pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges when they read to them, following which the lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN announced the readiness of the prosecution to proceed with the trial and prayed for accelerated hearing of the case. The defence counsel, J.J. Usman, SAN on his part, reminded the court of subsisting bail applications of the defendants, dated May 27, 2025 and prayed that the court should uphold the applications and admit the defendants to bail.
The prosecution counsel in his response, described the May 27, 2025 bail application of the defendants as incompetent, given that the defendants were neither under arrest, nor in detention, nor have appeared before the court, being the grounds provided by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA that should precipitate a bail application, but rather applied for bail from the comfort of their homes or offices when nor action has been taken against them. He therefore prayed the court to discountenance the said bail application and urged the defendants to make fresh bail applications in court.
While the position of the prosecution met opposition from the defence, Justice Nwite, however, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N100million (One Hundred Million Naira), each as well as one surety each, in like sum. The sureties he held must have landed properties in Abuja of which the particulars of the properties would be deposited with the court. The sureties are also to deposit their passports and two recent passport photographs with the court. In addition, all the documents the sureties provided, including their residences must be verified by the court before approval.
He ordered that they should be remanded in correctional facility pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions and adjourned the matter till July 17 and 18 for continuation of trial.
Political anxiety is mounting in Bayelsa State amid strong indications that Governor Douye Diri is in advanced discussions to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), according to Politics Nigeria.
Governor Diri’s potential switch is expected to further weaken the PDP’s standing in the South-South geopolitical zone, following recent defections of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom to the APC.
Investigations reveal that Diri has opened talks with senior officials in the Presidency and has been holding consultations with key political stakeholders in Bayelsa regarding the proposed defection.
A reliable source disclosed that Diri had informed several National Assembly members representing the state of his plans and sought their views on the matter. However, not all lawmakers are reportedly on board.
“Governor Diri has spoken to members of the National Assembly about his intention to leave the PDP.
“While some are supportive, others, like Mitema Obordor (Ogbia), Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor), and Maria Ebikake (Brass/Nembe), have expressed reservations.
“They believe there is no urgent need for such a political shift,” the source told Daily Sun.
The source also noted that Oboku Oforji (Yenagoa Federal Constituency) is expected to follow the lead of former governor and current Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson.
Senator Dickson is reportedly not in support of the defection but has chosen not to interfere in Diri’s decision.
Meanwhile, Senators Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East) and Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central) are said to be indifferent but likely to move with the governor if the defection occurs.
Governor Diri has also reportedly instructed the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ngobere, to gauge the opinions of lawmakers on the defection.
A senior member of the Assembly confirmed that the Speaker had begun informal consultations and was expected to formally brief the House upon his return from an overseas trip.
“The chances of the governor defecting are very high. Many of us in the Assembly are ready to follow him.
“Bayelsa cannot be the only South-South state still in the PDP, especially given the internal uncertainties.
“The constant risk of our candidacies being voided by court rulings makes the APC a more stable option,” the lawmaker said.
Former Minister of Petroleum and ex-governor of Bayelsa, Chief Timipre Sylva, speaking in a telephone interview, said he was unaware of the reported plans but welcomed the idea.
“If Governor Diri is coming to the APC, I will be happy to receive him.
“When I first introduced the APC in Bayelsa, many dismissed it as not being an Ijaw party. But today, it’s gaining acceptance, and his defection would be a significant boost,” Sylva said.
However, Governor Diri’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, denied knowledge of any such move.
His words: “I’m not aware of any discussions the governor has had with anyone about defecting.
“Governor Diri is a transparent leader. If he makes such a decision, he will communicate it clearly. For now, I cannot confirm anything because I simply don’t have that information.”
A 43-year-old man simply identified as Kazeem of Edun area, Ilorin, Kwara State, has died after jumping into a domestic well under the influence of a hard substance known as ‘Colo’ (Colorado)
According to LEADERSHIP, the incident happened shortly after Kazeem returned from Eid prayer on Friday.
It was gathered that men of the Kwara State Fire Service have recovered the lifeless body of Kazeem from the domestic well.
The spokesman of the State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the incident on Saturday.
He said that the firemen promptly responded to a distress call they received at about 10:29am on Friday that a man has jumped into a well at Alapo compound, Edun, Ilorin.
“The distress call was received by the Fire Service control room at about 10:29 hours, reporting that a man had fallen into a well. Firefighters were immediately deployed to the scene, where they successfully recovered the body from the well.
“The victim, identified as Kazeem, reportedly jumped into the well under the influence of a hard substance known as Colo (Colorado) shortly after returning from Eid prayers.
“The body was handed over to Inspector Babatunde Amos of the ‘C ‘ Division Police Station, Ilorin. The Ministry awaits formal identification and claim of the body by the victim’s family.
“The director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade Olumuyiwa, admonish residents of the state to stay away from drug abuse, warning that such acts often lead to tragic outcomes,” Adekunle stated.
When Sharadindu Ghosh* was young, he was taught not to speak about his father’s leprosy. He, like many others, grew up in the lanes of Jamuria Leprosy Colony, in West Bengal, facing stigma and discrimination.
Today, years after his father’s passing and an endless struggle through poverty, Ghosh is an electrical supervisor and a mentor to local children.
“Among the uneducated population in India, people believe that this disease is given by God,” said Mervyn Basil, communications specialist at NGO Until No Leprosy Remains-India (NLR-India).
Leprosy was eliminated as a public health problem in India as per the World Health Organization’s criteria of less than 1 case per 10,000 population, at the national level, in 2005.
However now, experts say, it is quietly resurfacing, particularly in climate stressed States including West Bengal and Bihar.
Floods, displacement and overcrowding have become frequent, leading to these States seeing the disease re-emerge in pockets.
India is hailed for eliminating leprosy two decades ago, but modern effects of climate stress and poverty may lead to its reappearance.
Climate change impacts leprosy through various mechanisms, primarily by exacerbating poverty, disrupting livelihoods, and altering environmental conditions. This can lead to increased vulnerability for people with leprosy-related disabilities, particularly in areas already struggling with malnutrition and food shortages. Additionally, climate change can indirectly influence leprosy transmission by impacting mosquito and tick populations, potentially increasing the spread of other diseases in affected areas.
Here’s a more detailed look at the connections:
- Exacerbated Poverty and Vulnerability:
Disrupted Livelihoods:
Climate change events like floods, droughts, and cyclones can destroy homes, livelihoods (e.g., farming, fishing), and support systems, leaving people more vulnerable to malnutrition, disease, and disability.
Increased Displacement:
Climate-induced migration can lead to overcrowding and increased risk of disease transmission, especially for communities already facing challenges with leprosy.
Reduced Access to Healthcare:
Climate change can disrupt healthcare systems, making it harder for people with leprosy to access timely treatment and care.
- Indirect Impacts on Leprosy Transmission:
Environmental Changes:
Climate change can alter natural cycles and processes that impact the spread of leprosy and other infectious diseases. For example, weakening monsoon winds can affect fishing communities and their livelihoods, potentially leading to increased poverty and disease outbreaks.
Vector-Borne Diseases:
While leprosy isn’t directly transmitted by insects like malaria or dengue, climate change can impact mosquito and tick populations, increasing the risk of other infectious diseases that can further burden already vulnerable communities.
- Specific Examples and Case Studies:
India:
While India has been successful in eliminating leprosy, climate stress and poverty may lead to its resurgence in pockets.
Sri Lanka:
A coastal community in Sri Lanka experienced a rise in leprosy cases after a fishing industry crash due to climate change, leading to migration and exposure to the disease.
Mozambique:
The coastal province of Cabo Delgado, which is both poor and has a high prevalence of leprosy, is increasingly drought-prone and was hit by Cyclone Idai, highlighting the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities.
Bangladesh:
River flooding in Northwest Bangladesh affected 4,000 leprosy-affected farmers, destroying crops and livestock.
- The Need for Integrated Action:
Climate Change Adaptation:
Addressing the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, including those affected by leprosy, requires a holistic approach that considers their specific needs and vulnerabilities.
Social and Economic Support:
Providing social protection, livelihood support, and healthcare services to these communities can help them cope with the effects of climate change and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.
Community Empowerment:
Empowering communities to adapt to climate change and manage their health resources is crucial for long-term sustainability.
Sapphire Egemasi, a 28-year-old Nigerian software developer once known for showcasing a life of affluence and global travel, is currently in federal custody in the United States, facing charges connected to a wide-reaching internet fraud and money laundering scheme, as reported by The Guardian Nigeria.
U.S. prosecutors allege that she was part of a syndicate that defrauded several American government institutions of millions of dollars.
Egemasi was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in April 2025 in the Bronx, New York. Her arrest followed a federal grand jury indictment issued in 2024, which accused her and multiple co-conspirators, led by Ghanaian national Samuel Kwadwo Osei, of conducting a coordinated cyber operation that targeted U.S. city governments through phishing attacks and spoofed websites.
According to Peoples Gazette, Court filings reveal that between September 2021 and February 2023, the syndicate designed and deployed fake websites mimicking official domains of American government agencies. The goal was to deceive municipal employees into entering secure login credentials, which were then used to divert funds into fraudulent accounts controlled by the group.
Egemasi’s alleged role in the scheme was central to its technical execution. Investigators claim she developed the spoofed websites used in the phishing operations and also helped route stolen funds through a series of wire transfers across various banks.
In one instance, prosecutors say the group successfully diverted $965,000 from the government of Kentucky into an account with PNC Bank. In another case, $330,000 was moved into a Bank of America account. Authorities described the transfers as highly sophisticated, masked with false documentation to resemble legitimate government disbursements.
According to investigators, Egemasi had lived in Cambridge, United Kingdom, before her arrest and had spent time in Ghana, where she is believed to have first connected with the other members of the fraud ring. She was allegedly recruited for her software programming skills and soon became the syndicate’s primary tech specialist.
To conceal the source of her income, Egemasi publicly claimed on social media that she had interned at firms such as British Petroleum, H\&M, and Zara—assertions that U.S. prosecutors say are not supported by any employment records. On platforms such as LinkedIn and Instagram, she maintained the image of a young African woman thriving in tech. Her posts frequently featured designer fashion, luxury gadgets, and travel across countries, including France, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates.
Federal authorities contend that the lifestyle she advertised online was financed by proceeds of fraud. They argue that her public persona was carefully curated to deflect suspicion while she remained actively involved in the illegal operation.
Egemasi and her co-defendants are now awaiting trial in Lexington, Kentucky. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison, financial restitution, and potential deportation after serving her sentence.
The case is part of a broader crackdown by U.S. federal agencies on transnational cybercrime, especially fraud schemes that exploit public institutions. While the investigation remains ongoing, prosecutors have indicated that more individuals connected to the case may face charges.
EFCC declares Seun Ogunbambo wanted over N976.6m oil subsidy fraud
EFCC arraigns SunTrust Bank Directors over alleged $12 million money laundering scandal
NCC, stakeholders tackle rural connectivity challenges
Another PDP governor declares to join APC after Eno
SHOCKER: Surprising cost of renting a private jet in Nigeria
Rivers Crisis: What Tinubu told Fubara in Lagos as Pro-Wike kicks
Terrorists: Trump bans 10 fresh African countries from entering US
Why I can’t join APC – Eno’s Commissioner breaks silence
Tragedy in Kwara as man takes ‘Colo’, jumps into well after returning from Eid Prayer
