Tag: Nigerian Diaspora Project Committee

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Nigeria Security USA/Europe

THREE NIGERIANS EXTRADITED TO THE US FROM UK FOR PARTICIPATING IN BUSONESS EMAIL COMPROMISE FRAUD SCHEMES

PUSH NEWS 24 INTERNATIONAL : November 17th, 2022

Push News 24 International reports that three Nigerian citizens were extradited from the United Kingdom (UK) and arrived in the United States in relation to their alleged participation in multimillion-dollar cyber-enabled business email compromise (BEC) fraud schemes in the Western District of North Carolina, Southern District of Texas and Eastern District of Virginia. The scams allegedly perpetrated by the defendants and their co-conspirators targeted unsuspecting victims including universities in North Carolina, Texas and Virginia, and attempted to cause more than $5 million in losses.

BEC, also known as “cyber-enabled financial fraud,” is a sophisticated scam often targeting employees with access to company finances, businesses working with foreign suppliers and/or businesses that regularly perform wire transfer payments. The same criminal organizations that perpetrate BEC also exploit individual victims, often real estate purchasers, the elderly, and others, by convincing them to make wire transfers to bank accounts controlled by the criminals. This is often accomplished by impersonating a key employee or business partner after obtaining access to that person’s email account or sometimes done through romance and lottery scams. BEC scams may involve fraudulent requests for checks rather than wire transfers; they may target sensitive information such as personally identifiable information (PII) or employee tax records instead of, or in addition to, money; and they may not involve an actual “compromise” of an email account or computer network. Foreign citizens perpetrate many BEC scams. Those individuals are often members of transnational criminal organizations, which originated in Nigeria but have spread throughout the world.

Further findings by Push News 24 International indicated as follows

Western District of North Carolina

Oludayo Kolawole John Adeagbo aka John Edwards and John Dayo, 43, a Nigerian citizen and UK resident, and Donald Ikenna Echeazu aka Donald Smith and Donald Dodient, 40, a dual UK and Nigerian citizen, are charged with wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and aggravated identity theft for defrauding a North Carolina university (the University) of more than $1.9 million via a business email compromise scheme. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in the Western District of North Carolina on April 17, 2019, and was unsealed yesterday following Echeazu’s initial appearance in federal court in Charlotte.

According to allegations contained in the indictment, from Aug. 30, 2016, to Jan. 12, 2017, Adeagbo and Echeazu conspired with other individuals to obtain information about significant construction projects occurring throughout the United States, including an ongoing multi-million-dollar project at the victim University. To execute the scheme, the defendants allegedly registered a domain name similar to that of the legitimate construction company in charge of the University’s project and created an email address that closely resembled that of an employee of the construction company. Using the fake email address, the co-conspirators allegedly deceived and directed the University to wire a payment of more than $1.9 million to a bank account controlled by an individual working under the direction of defendants. Upon receiving the payment, the co-conspirators allegedly laundered the stolen proceeds through a series of financial transactions designed to conceal the fraud.

The wire fraud conspiracy charge and the money laundering conspiracy charge each carry a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence consecutive to any other term imposed.

The FBI Charlotte Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Billings of the Western District of North Carolina is prosecuting the case.

Southern District of Texas

Oludayo Kolawole John Adeagbo aka John Edwards and John Dayo, 43, a Nigerian citizen and UK resident, is also charged in the Southern District of Texas with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. A federal grand jury returned the indictment March 30, 2022, which was unsealed on Aug. 3, 2022 before he was extradited to the United States.

From November 2016 until July 2018, Adeagbo allegedly conspired with others to participate in cyber-enabled business email compromises in an attempt to steal more than $3 million from victims in Texas, including local government entities, construction companies and a Houston-area college. The indictment alleges Adeagbo and his co-conspirators registered domain names that looked similar to legitimate companies. They then sent emails from those domains pretending to be employees at those companies, according to the charges. The conspirators allegedly sent emails to clients or customers of the companies they impersonated and deceived those customers into sending wire payments to bank accounts they controlled.

Adeagbo faces up to 20 years in prison, if convicted on the charges.

The FBI Houston Cyber Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FBI Cyber and Criminal Investigative Divisions. The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police and Crown Prosecution Service also provided substantial assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rodolfo Ramirez for the Southern District of Texas is prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney Brian Mund of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS).

Eastern District of Virginia

Olabanji Egbinola, 42, is charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

According to a criminal complaint issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, from Sept. 26, 2018, to Dec. 26, 2018, Egbinola is alleged to have conspired with others to defraud a Virginia-based university. Egbinola and co-conspirators created and used a fraudulent email account that incorporated the name of a construction company that had a large, ongoing contract with the university. Using this email account, Egbinola and co-conspirators deceived the university into transferring $469,819.49 to a bank account controlled by Egbinola and co-conspirators. That money was quickly laundered and transferred overseas through numerous transactions. Evidence obtained during the investigation showed that Egbinola repeatedly accessed the email account used to defraud the Virginia university.

The FBI Richmond Division conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hood of for the Eastern District of Virginia is prosecuting the case.

All three defendants were arrested April 23, 2020, by UK authorities at the request of the United States and ordered extradited on Sept. 3, 2021. All three defendants filed appeals, all of which were rejected by the UK High Court on July 12, 2022.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of all three defendants. The U.S. Marshals Service also assisted by transporting the defendants from the UK to the United States.

Victims are encouraged to file a complaint online with the IC3 at bec.ic3.gov. The IC3 staff reviews complaints, looking for patterns or other indicators of significant criminal activity, and refers investigative packages of complaints to the appropriate law enforcement authorities in a particular city or region. The FBI provides a variety of resources relating to BEC scams through the IC3, which can be reached at www.ic3.gov. For more information on BEC scams, visit: https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/business-email-compromise.

The charges contained in an indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Nigeria Politics USA/Europe

US ELECTIONS: MEET THE EIGHT DISTINGUISHED NIGERIANS WHO THEIR SEATS

PUSH NEWS 24 INTERNATIONAL: November 9th, 2022

Make no mistake; Nigeria has a lot of good stuff to talk about even in the midst of all sorts of gloom-ridden news that come out of it occasionally. Believe it or not, Nigerians are smart, intelligent, and innovative – which is why it’s no surprise that many hold prominent positions on the global stage.

Push News 24 International reporys that from academia to business, sports, arts, and politics, Nigerians have always shown the world their prowess. It is indisputable that globally, Nigerians have made their mark in science and engineering, medicine, music, and various other fields.

Make no mistake; Nigeria has a lot of good stuff to talk about even in the midst of all sorts of gloom-ridden news that come out of it occasionally. Believe it or not, Nigerians are smart, intelligent, and innovative – which is why it’s no surprise that many hold prominent positions on the global stage.

From academia to business, sports, arts, and politics, Nigerians have always shown the world their prowess. It is indisputable that globally, Nigerians have made their mark in science and engineering, medicine, music, and various other fields.

In recent times Nigerians in the United States of America have distinguished themselves in the US midterm elections as over 8 Nigerias won their elections in an unprecedented feat.

Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari has also extended his warmest congratulations to eight Nigerian-Americans on their victory in the United States midterm elections.

In Georgia State, Segun Adeyina, Gabe Okoye, Solomon Adesanya, Tish Naghise, and Phil Olaleye won their legislative seats as State Representatives in their Districts.

Similarly, Carol Kazeem won the Pennsylvania State Representative in District 159, Esther Agbaje was re-elected as Minnesota State Representative in District 59B, while Dr. Oye Owolewa was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives (Shadow Representative) in Washington D.C.

In his prayerful wishes for a successful tenure in office, President Buhari in a statement by his media aide, Femi Adesina, on Wednesday, thanked them for their invaluable support and partnerships, over the years, with groups affiliated with the ideals and objectives of Nigerians in Diaspora associations in the United States.

Restating his unflinching support for every Nigerian excelling at home and abroad, President Buhari believed that compatriots who succeed in good causes are assets to the nation and the continent, noting that their contributions will always be remembered and celebrated.

Adeoye Owolewa

Adeoye “Oye” Owolewa (born 1989) is a Nigerian-American politician, pharmacist, and a member of the Democratic Party. In November 2020, he was elected as the shadow representative of the United States House of Representatives from the District of Columbia. As a shadow congressperson, Owolewa is tasked with lobbying for D.C. statehood; the unpaid position is authorized by D.C. voters in 1982, but never approved by Congress. Although mistakenly described in Nigerian media as the first Nigerian-American to be elected to the U.S. Congress. Owolewa is not a member of Congress.

Push News 24 International confirms that Owolewa Shadow Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives from the District of Columbia’s at-large district

Carol Kazeem

Carol Kazeem, State Representative for the PA 159th District. 30 years old mother, activist, and a life-long resident of the great City of Chester. She attended the Chester-Upland School District and graduated from Ridley High School.

Carols progressive values are illustrated throughout her professional work having worked in healthcare for over 10 years as a caregiver, medical coder, and behavioral & mental health specialist. Currently serving as a trauma-informed outreach worker and violence interrupter.

She claimed to be running for office because she is fed up with the lack of leadership from elected officials. Unaccountable leadership has led to the advancement of violence, poverty, and exploitation in our community. As your next State Representative, She intends to extend her advocacy for education equity and a $15 minimum wage while continuing our district’s fight against gun violence and mass incarceration.

Phil Olaleye

Phil Olaleye, Georgia House, District 59, GA
Phil is a non-profit leader that supports Atlanta youth by providing exposure to local companies, colleges and after-school mentorship. Phil has dedicated his life to serving his community and believes in a future where hardworking families can prosper and every child can thrive no matter their zip code or background.

Phil ran to represent Georgia’s House of Representatives District 59, and is fighting to invest fully in our public schools, expand access to quality and affordable healthcare, and raise the minimum wage to a liveable wage. A former neighborhood president and a Peace Corps alum, he is working hard to build a vision for the communities that is inclusive and supports working families. Phil and his wife live in Summerhill where they are raising their son.

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Nigeria Politics USA/Europe

NIGERIA IS NOT TECHNICALLY RIPE FOR DIASPORA VOTING – DIASPORA LEAGUE

PUSH NEWS 24 INTERNATIONAL : January 2nd, 2022

Prince Olalekan Ojo Martins, Convener, Nigerian Diaspora League (NDL)

NIGERIA IS NOT RIPE FOR DIASPORA VOTING

The Nigerian Diaspora League on Friday in a new year message listed certain arrangements that must be in place before the National Assembly could come up with necessary legislation that would enable Nigerians who are resident abroad to participate in future general elections in the country.

The NDL also said the current situation in the country regarding power, ICT proficiency and poor telecommunications system was not conducive for the National Assembly to come up with a law that would legalize voting in the country.

The Convener, Nigerian Diaspora League, NDL, Prince Olalekan Ojo Martins in the State of Texas, USA, has said that Nigeria is not yet technically and financially ready to allow Nigerians in diaspora to vote in the 2023 and 2027 general elections.

The Ojo Martins during a meeting with NDL Executive Committee members said he was not against the right of Nigerians in Diaspora participating during elections by voting.

He noted that it was the National Assembly that should pass the relevant laws to give a legal backing to Diaspora voting.

The Chartered Public Relations Practitioner who disclosed this in an interview with Push News 24 International said that the call on National Assembly by Nigerians to fast track legislation that would allow Nigerians in diaspora to vote would not be possible following common home-grown irregularities that are still militating against the electoral process in the country.

To this end, the irregularities that mars the electoral system must be looked into before Nigerians in abroad could vote.
Irregularities, which include lack of an undated voter’s register, late arrival of voting materials among, adequate voters education, security amongst others, must be corrected before initiating diaspora voting.
“If a child is born, the child will learn how speak, crawl before beginning to run.
“Voters in Nigeria do not have confidence in the electoral process in term of provision of voting materials. All these have not been corrected.
“There are a lot of names of voters not being appeared on voter’s register which militating against the electoral process to have free and fair elections in the country and this must be looked into” Martins explained.

Martins said, “ There are so many things that are involved in Diaspora voting. It is not just enough to say that we are going to do diaspora voting.

“it is not as if we are opposed to diaspora voting as stakeholders but there are so many challenges and issues that we have to be resolved first.

Prince Martins noted that the local elections in the country are usually confronted with numerous challenges especially when few numbers of votes are needed to determine the winner of an election, particularly at the state levels.

He said, “ For instance the Sokoto governorship election where the margin between the winner and the runner-up was very slim. Who will be the beneficiary of the votes from the Diaspora especially when the winner would be determined by the votes from the diaspora?

“We also have to determine who constitute the diaspora. Are they only Nigerians in Europe, America and Asia or are we also going to recognise Nigerians who are living in African countries?

“There are speculations that the population of Nigerians in Sudan, Niger, and Chad alone are running into millions. We also have Nigerians residing in other African countries. So, will all those millions of Nigerians there be allowed to vote under the diaspora voting?

“Another issue to determine is that, is it only those who genuinely emigrate and legitimately living in those country that would be regarded as diaspora? Are we talking about the documented and non documented Nigerians that are living abroad?

“Now, because of the nature of our elections, in which of the elections would the Nigerians in Diaspora vote? For instance, we talk about the local government election. Will the Disporans vote in such elections? How are we going to determine the local government they are voting for?

“Will they also vote in the National and state assembly elections? How are we going to determine the constituency or the lawmakers they are voting for? Is there any machinery in place to determine that? The answer is No!

“In the governorship election, are they going to vote according to their state of origin? The fact is that we don’t even have any arrangement or records in place to determine that, at least for now.

“So, it is not just enough to say the National Assembly should legislate on Diaspora voting but we have to find a way to address the serious issues that could hinder the process before coming up with any legislation that would give it a legal backing.”

Prince Ojo Martins noted that Nigeria Diaspora League (NDL) will be willing to work with the National Assembly on Diaspora voting but that all the important issues must be critically looked into to avoid consequences that may jeopardize the bill.

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Nigeria Politics USA/Europe

DIASPORA VOTING : NIDCOM TO ASSIST IN DRAFTING BILL – ABIKE DABIRI

PUSH NEWS 24 INTERNATIONAL : January 2nd, 2022

Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, NIDCOM Boss

Former Lawmaker and Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has come to clear the air on diaspora voting as we count down to the 2023 general elections.

Abike Dabiri, who, without a shred of doubt had raised the bar during her hugely successful stint as a journalist, who has been the face and link between Nigerians living abroad and the Federal Government is also confident that diaspora voting is doable.

Push News 24 International confirms that the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission through Abike’s leadership has expressed its readiness to assist Nigerians abroad to ensure that the National Assembly passes a law that will allow them to vote during general elections.

It however agreed that the proposed diaspora voting can be limited to some countries for a start.

The NIDCOM Chairman, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed these in an interview with the media.

Dabiri-Erewa in the interview, said her commission would do everything possible to assist Nigerians in Diaspora to achieve their dream on diaspora voting.

The assistance, she explained, would include the drafting of a bill that would be sent to the National Assembly as well as the necessary lobbying needed to ensure that the proposed amendment to the nation’s electoral laws scale through at the parliament.

She further disclosed that a seminar, where the issue and others as well as the possible challenges and how to tackle them would be addressed, had been fixed for Monday.

She said, “We will do everything to push along with Nigerians in diaspora on this issue of diaspora voting.

“A bill will be drafted and sent to the parliament to be included in the constitution amendment process because we will need the constitution to be amended to accommodate it.

“For now, diaspora voting may not feature the whole world. We will draft the bill in a manner that will give INEC the discretion to decide which countries for now, whether UK, US or so.”

Dabiri-Erewa worked for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for fifteen years, anchoring the weekly NTA News line programme and taking a particular interest in poverty and social justice issues. She retired from her position at Nigerian Television Authority to stand for election in the House of Representatives, winning with a substantial majority.

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Education Nigeria USA/Europe

ABIA STATE BORN KELECHI BAGS PHD FROM UK UNIVERSITY AT 28

PUSH NEW 24 INTERNATIONAL … December 26th, 2021

Kelechi Nwankpa, a business expert from Abia state, has bagged a PhD from the Commonwealth University, London, at the age of 28.
The business expert got her BSc in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, and MBA in information systems from Dublin Business School, Ireland

Kelechi started out early in business as she ventured into real estate as a teenager at age 19, marking her entrance into entrepreneurship

Kelechi Nwankpa, a 28-year-old Nigerian who hails from Isiala-Ngwa south local government, Abia state, has bagged a doctorate degree in Business Administration from Commonwealth University, London.

It was said that the Nigerian went into real estate at the age of 19, starting her journey into entrepreneurship.

Kelechi got her first degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. Afterwards, she proceeded to get her MBA in information systems at the Dublin Business School, Ireland.

The young business lady has been imparting lives with her business legacy. Kelechi is also a fellow of the institute of management consultant and licensed management consultant with the International Council of Management Consulting Institute.

She owns a real estate management company called De-Sure Fraimz Toral Investment Limited which she manages with another business entity called Nigerian Real Estate Investment for Diaspora.

The second company is into real estate consulting, assisting Nigerians abroad in securing legal landed property.

She is a shining light for many women in business as her impact is an inspiration to many females who want to hold their own as business people.

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Source:Legit/the news.com

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Education Nigeria Security

DOWEN COLLEGE ASSAULT : LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT CULPABLE – DIASPORANS

PUSH NEWS 24 INTERNATIONAL : December, 8th, 2021

DOWEN COLLEGE ASSAULT : LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT CULPABLE – DIASPORANS

The alarming trends of bullying and attacks on other students by student-cultists in private schools in recent times have led to the maiming and in most cases death of several innocent students in the hands of their fellow students, teachers or school guards who raped, sexually abused and inflicted other sundry bestialities on students.

Nigerians-in-Diaspora under the eagis of Nigeria Diasporans Project Committee (NDPC), a non governmental pressure group promoting the good image of Nigerians abroad have called out the Lagos State Government as been negligent in the effective monitoring and inspections of A- list private schools due to their “assumed” status.

Stating their position in a release on Tuesday over the death of DOWEN College student, the Team Lead of NDPC, Prince Olalekan Ojo Martins says

“NDPC is aware of reports of the death of a Dowen College pupil in Lagos State by fellow school mates allegedly in a cult related manner”

“No child should go through what children are going through now in Nigeria. Education should not be a matter of life and death for anyone. Nigeria and Lagos State is failing the children once again in a horrifying manner”

” The State apparatus via the Ministry of Education have erred in their duties to effectively monitor the so-called A-list schools which have now become danger zones”

“NDPC condemns in the strongest possible terms any attack or bullying in our schools and calls for the immediate sanctioning of both the pupils, parents of the suspects, school authorities and government officials who were negligent.”

“The American Academy of Paediatrics defines a ‘healthful school environment’ as one that protects students and staff against immediate injury or disease and promotes prevention activities and attitudes against known risk factors that might lead to future disease , disability or death”.

Push News 24 International reports that following the death of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, a 12-year-old student of Dowen College, a high flyer private school in Lekki, Lagos, stakeholders, including parents, students and the government have raised concern over the safety and well-being of students in the care of school owners and management of private schools.

They, however, described the death of the student as a result of bullying and torture in the hands of some student-cultists as a ‘threat to the collective peace and safety of innocent students in some schools.

The deceased student, Sylvester Oromoni Jnr allegedly died from internal injuries inflicted on him by some student-cultists, who were said to have tortured and beaten him for refusing to join their cult group.

The PRO of the group, Engr. Aina Badejo in her own submission said “NDPC is deeply concerned about these reported acts of violence in schools which are a violation of children’s rights. Children should feel safe at home and at school at all times – and parents should not need to worry for the safety of their children when they send them off to school.”

“A healthy school environment (physical, biological and socio-cultural) serves as a major determinant of health and greatly influences the individual’s level of intellectual growth and development, where a State apparatus fails to play her roles, then some persons need to be sanctioned” Badejo added.

The chattered PR Practitioner finally advise Lagos State government to ensure a Safeful School Environment and make all the conscious efforts to organized, plan and execute actions that will ensure the safety and healthy living conditions for all members of the school community.

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