The Council of Legal Education has said that 1,864 students of the Nigerian Law School passed the Bar Final Examinations conducted in January.
The council made this known in a statement signed by the Director-General of the School, Prof. Isa Chiroma on Sunday in Abuja.
The council, while releasing the results said that a total of 2,515 students participated in the examinations.
Chiroma, who described the performance as outstanding, said that among the 1, 864 students who were successful, only 5 made First Class while 632 others failed the examinations.
“Candidates graded in First Class are 5, Second Class Upper 77, Second Class Lower are 633, those who got pass marks are 1,067 and those with Conditional Pass are 82.
“632 candidates failed the examination, 17 were absent and 2 results are withheld.”
Chiroma further explained that only 0.2 per cent made First Class, 3.06 per cent made Second Class Upper, 25.17 per cent made Second Class Lower and 42.42 per cent passed.
He said other performances include a 3.26 per cent for those with conditional pass, 25.12 per cent failed the examinations, 0.7 per cent were absent and 0.8 per cent results are being withheld.
He also said that screening and Call to Bar ceremony dates for the successful candidates would be communicated in due course.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned social media influencer and comedian, Adedamola Adewale Rukayat (a.k.a Adeherself) before Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Special Offence Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a one-count charge of possession of fraudulent documents.
The defendant was arrested last month following intelligence received by the Commission on the activities of some young men allegedly involved in internet fraud in the Lekki axis of Lagos State.
During interrogation, Adewale AKA “Adeherself” reportedly confessed to being a picker” in cybercrimes.
The count read: “That you, Adewale Adedamola Rukayat, on or about the 15th day of June 2020 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession documents titled “WhatsAPP”, which representations you knew or ought to have known, was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 (8) (b) and 1 (3) (d) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In view of her plea, prosecution counsel, S.O. Daji, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed that she be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCS.
The defence counsel informed the court of a bail application for his client and also prayed for a short date to enable its hearing.
Justice Solebo adjourned the matter to July 13, 2020, for the hearing of the bail application and also ordered the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC custody
Just like you, I was shocked to see the recent newspaper advert by a Nigerian commercial bank calling on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria to subscribe for legal services, including the preparation and review of legal documents.
Understandably, this caused quite a stir in the legal community for not only being an unlawful encroachment of the business of lawyers and a breach of the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act, but also for being beyond the statutory mandate for which banks are established.
What is more? Even the legal practitioners whose roles the bank’s advert set out to usurp, are prevented by the Rules of Professional Conduct from advertising their services.
I understand that this has come to the attention of the NBA leadership and they have promised to do something about this and similar activities.
To complement that, in the meantime, I am glad to announce that, after my engagements with the relevant authorities of the said institution, I have been assured that steps will be taken to discontinue the programme.
I took this step because of my strong belief that we must rise up to the challenge of protecting and defending our turf from interference. It is a collective responsibility. Such interference seems to be on the increase in various sectors with the resultant effect of further dwindling of the pool of services statutorily reserved for lawyers.
This accords with what I have been saying that the Bar has a role to play in the preservation of the legal industry by ensuring that only those who have been licensed and set up to provide legal services can play in the industry. This will not only ensure quality control, it will also improve the general welfare of our lawyers as more opportunities for legal work will be unlocked.
This was what informed the establishment of a Task Force during my time as Chairman of the SBL that was charged with the responsibility of determining the scope of legal work that is statutorily prescribed to be the exclusive preserve of Nigerian lawyers and to work out modalities for enforcing such laws.
The battle to reclaim what is rightfully ours is far from being won, but with the political will and institutional & regulatory frameworks that are dynamic & fit-for-purpose, the Bar can regain what we have lost and are still losing to those who have no business meddling in our profession.
Preservation of the lawyer’s business is key to our collective survival.
THE US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has revealed the mode of operation through which the suspected Nigerian swindler Ramon Olorunwa Abbas alias Hushpuppi, and his gang were tracked until he was arrested in Dubai, United Arabs Emirates (UAE) on June 10.
Special agent Andrew John Innocenti, in an affidavit attached to the charges against Hushpuppi in the US, said the main suspect and others identified only as Coconspirator 1 and Coconspirator 2, used to hack into the computers of their targets and move money from one account to the other across the globe.
They then use the huge money so realised to live large, acquiring expensive properties, designer clothes, expensive watches and luxury cars, and also charter jets.
According to the FBI agent, their Business Email Compromise (BEC) fraud schemes “often involve a computer hacker gaining unauthorised access to a business-email account, blocking or redirecting communications to and/or from that email account, and then using the compromised email account or a separate fraudulent email account (sometimes called a “spoofed” email account) to communicate with personnel from a victim company and to attempt to trick them into making an unauthorised wire transfer.
“The fraudster will direct the unsuspecting personnel of the victim company to wire funds to the bank account of a third party (sometimes referred to as a “money mule”), which is often a bank account owned, controlled, and/or used by individuals involved in the scheme based in the United States.
The money may then be laundered by wiring or transferring it through numerous bank accounts to launder the money, or by quickly withdrawing it as cash, by check, or by cashier’s check.”
Abbas and Coconspirators 1 and 2 allegedly laundered approximately $396,050 while Coconspirator 2 was in Los Angeles, California
Abbas and Coconspirator 1, he said, “conspired to launder funds intended to be stolen through fraudulent wire transfers from a foreign financial institution (the “Foreign Financial Institution”), in which fraudulent wire transfers totaling approximately €13 million (approximately USD $14.7 million) were sent to bank accounts around the world in February 2019.
“Coconspirator 1 conspired with the persons who initiated the fraudulent wire transfers, and also conspired with a number of others, including ABBAS, to launder the funds that were intended to be stolen.
“ABBAS, specifically, provided Coconspirator 1 with two bank accounts in Europe that ABBAS anticipated would each receive €5 million of the fraudulently obtained funds.”
Continuing, he said that analysis of Coconspirator 1’s iPhone and other online accounts showed that Coconspirator 1 “operated and tasked money mule crews for a number of fraudulent schemes, including BEC schemes and cyber-heists.
“Analysis also showed that Coconspirator 1 communicated with the U.A.E. phone number +971543777711 (“Phone Number 1”) about multiple fraudulent schemes and money laundering.
“Phone Number 1 was one of the phone numbers ABBAS used during 2019 and 2020.
“Based on my review (pursuant to federal search warrants obtained in this District) of data from Coconspirator 1’s iPhone and from an online account connected to that phone (the “Online Account”), other law enforcement personnel’s review of that digital data, and from discussions with United States Secret Service (“USSS”) and FBI personnel, I know the following: a.Coconspirator 1’s iPhone listed Phone Number 1 (+971543777711) with the contact name “Hush.” The phone also contained a contact for Snapchat username “hushpuppi5,” which listed the Snapchat contact name “The Billionaire Gucci Master!!!” b.Searches of Phone Number 1 and the contact name “Hush” inCoconspirator 1’s iPhone revealed messaging conversations between “Hush,” using Phone Number 1, and Coconspirator 1. (For ease of reference, communications with this moniker and Phone Number 1 are referred to as communications with ABBAS in the remainder of this affidavit.)
“In or around December 2019, April 2020, and June 2020, I reviewed the publicly viewable Instagram account of “hushpuppi” at http://www.instagram.com/hushpuppi.
Based on information available on the profile page, the user of that account made more than 500 posts and had 2.3 million followers as of June 2020.11.
“This Instagram account included numerous publicly viewable images of a man who appeared to be ABBAS, based on comparisons to photographs of ABBAS in passports and other identification documents referenced below in paragraphs 16.c to 16.c.iv.
Hundreds of these images on the Instagram account showed ABBAS in designer clothing and shoes, posing on or in luxury vehicles, wearing high-end watches, or possessing other luxury items, indicating substantial wealth.”
Abbas made his initial court appearance in Chicago, USA, on Friday and he is expected to be transferred to Los Angeles in the coming weeks.
He was extradited to the USA from Dubai on Thursday to face charges of conspiracy to launder millions of dollars from business email compromise (BEC) frauds and other scams.
The US Justice Department described Abbas as a “Dubai resident who flaunted his extravagant lifestyle on social media.”
Hushpuppi was arrested along with 11 others in six simultaneous raids carried out by the Dubai Police.
Confiscated from them were 13 luxury cars worth N2. 640 billion (Dh 25 million), 21 laptops, 47 smartphones, 15 memory storage devices, 5 external hard drives and 800, 000 emails of potential victims.
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Rev Yakubu Pam as the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC).
This was disclosed Saturday in a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
The statement said his appointment took effect from June 20 and would be for a period of five years.
It added that President Buhari urged the new executive secretary of the commission to sustain his reconciliatory pre-disposition in his new position.
Until his appointment, Rev Pam was the Chairman of the Plateau State Christian Pilgrims Board.
Born on 20th February, 1960 in Gyel, Jos South LGA of Plateau State, Rev Pam holds a first degree in Christian Education.
As an ordained Minister, Rev Pam brings to the position more than 30 years of leadership experience in the Christian community, coupled with a deep understanding of promoting inter-religious harmony and conflict resolution in the northern parts of the country.
The cleric has held many leadership positions in the Church, including Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of Northern Nigeria (which includes the 19 Northern States and Abuja) from 2016 to date, Vice President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, 2013 to date and District Superintendent, Jos mainland Assemblies of Nigeria, 2010 to date.
I have observed some of our Nigerian laws that when considered in their application, they can be presumed to be ‘an ass’. Take for instance, when an Applicant/Plaintiff or Respondent/Defendant secures judgment in a court of law, especially against the Government, then, the Sheriff and Civil Process Act, 2004 (which is an Act being in force since 1945 (which is since 75 years a go) but has remained applicable till date despite several laws made thereafter), requires such person to seek the consent of the Attorney-General of the Federation or of the State (where applicable). See: section 84 of the Act (if not only of recent that some of our courts have been departing from this application and setting a new path for its application). This provision of the Act is no doubt a proof that such provision of the Act is ‘an ass’! How reasonable would it be that a successful party would still be at the mercy of his opponent?! Where on earth would such be a form of justice?! This is just one of those laws that shows the ‘ass’ in some of Nigerian laws which require immediate reform should ‘justice’ be the overriding interest of government, hence, this paper! The clause ‘the law is an ass…’ is commonly said since time immemorial!
“It was all Mrs. Bumble. She would do it,” urged Mr. Bumble; first looking round, to ascertain that his partner had left the room.
That is no excuse,” returned Mr. Brownlow. “You were present on the occasion of the destruction of these trinkets, and, indeed, are the more guilty of the two, in the eye of the law; for the law supposes that your wife acts under your direction.”
If the law supposes that,” said Mr. Bumble, squeezing his hat emphatically in both hands, “the law is a ass — a idiot. If that’s the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law is, that his eye may be opened by experience — by experience.” ― Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist. (Underlined words are mine for emphasis).
‘The legal system or a particular law is wrong or not good enough, and should be changed:
If that is against the law, then the law is an ass.’
From the above meanings of the words ‘the law is an ass’ as depicted and publicized in the well celebrated literature ‘Oliver Twist’, it is such a situation where the application of the law as it is would likely result in absurdity or in other words when the interest of justice is concerned, strict application of such law enacted to a particular circumstance would result in miscarriage of justice or where the application of the law in strictness would lead to unimaginable injustice when such matters or cases are brought before a court of law to decide. I am of the respectful view and recommendation that all these laws should be outlined and be recommended for immediate reform and the court of law in any of such instances or circumstances, whether civil or criminal cases, must utilize its discretion where it has to ensure that the interest of justice or the justice in the case prevails. Even where the court (ably symbolized by the Honourable the Presiding trial judge or the appellate court) is not conferred with discretion, the court having considered the interest of justice in a case, should consider devising judicial activismin order to arrive at that which is just, fair and or reasonable in the circumstance, rather than strictly applying the law as it is which according to the judgment or reasoning of the court, is likely to lead to miscarriage of justice. This is a rudimentary or primary role that I view that a court of law should be concerned with. Laws are made by man and man enforces the same law. So, there should be a certain risk bearing in the application and enforcement of the law. Law enforcement agencies that are to enforce the law too should consider justice in the enforcement of the law, else, an ordinary man in the society should not seek self-help or jungle justice as substitute for justice! The fear which I have is that ‘if the common man should see law as ‘an ass’ or ‘unconscionable’ or ‘idiot’ i.e. lacking mental reasoning just as it was depicted in the above quoted words extracted from the literature ‘Oliver Twist’, then, that common man in the society would likely avoid the court of law and also bypass the law and make his own law (without considering whether his act and or omission is lawful or unlawful or rational or irrational)’.
Section 6 (1), (2) and (6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)-herein after referred to as the Constitution-, has conferred judicial roles (and discretion) on the court of law as follows
‘6.—(1) The judicial powers of the Federation shall be vested in the courts to which this section relates, being courts established for the Federation.
(2) The judicial powers of a State shall be vested in the courts to which this section relates, being courts established, subject as provided by this Constitution for a State.
(6) The judicial powers vested in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section—
(a) shall extend notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution, to all inherent powers and sanctions of a court of law ;
(b) shall extend to all matters between persons, or between government or authority and to any person in Nigeria, and to all actions and proceedings relating thereto, for the determination of any question as to the civil rights and obligations of that person ;
(c) shall not, except as otherwise provided by this Constitution, extend to any issue or question as to whether any act or omission by any authority or person or as to whether any law or any judicial decision is in conformity with the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy set out in Chapter II of this Consitution ; and
(d) shall not as from the date when this section comes into force, extend to any action or proceedings relating to any existing law made on or after 15th January, 1966 for determining any issue or question as to the competence of any authority or person to make any such law.’.
Furthermore, the Nigerian National Assembly has enacted an Act known as the Nigerian Law Reform Act- now 2010 (as amended). The Act is by its Long title, ‘An Act to set up a Law Reform Commission for Nigeria to undertake the progressive development and reform of substantive and procedural law applicable in Nigeria by way of codification, elimination of anomalous or obsolete laws and general simplification of the law in accordance with general directions issued by the Government, from time to time and for matters connected therewith’. The Act in section 1 establishes the Nigerian Law Reform Commission which shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and may hold, acquire and dispose of any property or interest in property, movable and immovable.
The Act provides for the functions of the Commission in section 5 thus ‘ (1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, it shall be the duty of the Commission generally to take and keep under review all Federal laws with a view to their systematic and progressive development and reform in consonance with the prevailing norms of Nigerian society including, in particular, the codification of such laws, the elimination of anomalies, the repeal of obsolete, spent and unnecessary enactments, the reduction in number of separate enactments, the reform of procedural laws in consonance with changes in the machinery of the administration of justice and generally the simplification and modernisation of the law. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, the Commission- (a) shall receive and consider any proposals for the reform of the law which may be made or referred to it by the Attorney-General of the Federation (in this Act referred to as “the Attorney-General”); (a) may prepare on its own initiative and submit to the Attorney-General, from time to time, programmes for the examination of different branches of the law with a view to reform; (b) shall undertake, pursuant to any recommendations approved by the Attorney-General, the examination of particular branches of the law and the formulation, by means of draft legislation or otherwise, of proposals for reform therein; (c) shall prepare, from time to time, at the request of the Attorney-General, comprehensive programmes of consolidation and statute law revision, and undertake the preparation of draft legislation pursuant to any such programme approved by the Attorney-General; (d) may provide advice and information to Federal Government departments and other authorities or bodies concerned, at the instance of the Federal Government, with proposals for the reform or amendment of any branch of the law. (3) The Attorney-General may- (a) modify the terms of a reference; and (b) give directions to the Commission as to the order in which it is to deal with references. (4) For the purpose of the efficient performance of its functions under this Act, the Commission may, from time to time, obtain such information as to the legal systems of other countries as appears to it likely to facilitate the performance of any such function. (5) The Commission may conduct such seminars and, where appropriate, hold such public sittings concerning any programme for law reform as it may consider necessary from time to time. (6) The Attorney-General shall lay before the President any programmes prepared by the Commission and any proposals for reform formulated by the Commission pursuant to such programmes (7) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Commission shall be autonomous in its day-to-day operations. (8) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section “Federal laws” means all laws within the legislative competence of the Government of the Federation and includes all received law and rules of law in force in the Federation and having effect as if enacted by the Federal legislature and all procedural laws and all subsidiary instruments made under or pursuant to any such law.
Also, the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Act 2010 (as amended) is another body to consider in the need for law reform of Nigerian laws. See its Long title. Also by section 1, establishes the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies to carry out the following functions ‘ (a) to provide information, supervision, guidance and advice to post-graduate students and other researchers who are working for post-graduate degree of any University in the field of law and related subjects; (b) to conduct research into any branch of the law or related subjects with a view to the application of the results thereof in the interest of Nigeria; (c) to conduct courses of instruction in legislative drafting leading to the award of post-graduate diploma or a post-graduate degree; (d) from time to time to organise, host, arrange and conduct national or international seminars, symposia, conferences, workshops, lectures on any branch of the law or related subject; (e) to prepare and publish books, records, reports, journals as may seem desirable for the dissemination of research findings, seminars, symposia, conferences, findings of workshops and lectures as aforesaid; (f) to co-operate with Nigerian universities, the Nigerian Law School, the Nigerian Law Reform Commission and such other bodies (whether in Nigeria or elsewhere) engaged in any major field relating to law reform, development or research in the mobilisation of Nigeria’s research potentials for the task of national development and dissemination of research findings for the use of policy makers at all levels; (g) to carry out other activities as are necessary and expedient for the full discharge of any of its functions under or pursuant to this Act’.
However, it is very unfortunate that despite the good provisions in the above Acts on research and reform of Nigerian Laws, there are still some if not many of these Nigerian laws (either of the Federal or the State) that require immediate reform.
Furthermore, in our various legislations of the Federation or the State, there are some legislations that really need reform. Some laws have been in existent for so long that some of their provisions do not serve the present situation.
Finally, the authority in charge of law reform are called upon by this paper to review these laws. The National Assembly also has roles and or power to play in repealing some of these obsolete legislations as conferred upon it by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon has suspended the operations of the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS).
This followed an attack that caused damage to an aid helicopter on Thursday in Damasak, a town in Borno State.
The attack was said to have been repelled by military forces who inflicted heavy injury on the insurgents who retreated and started shooting sporadically, resulting in the death of three civilians, including a minor
In a statement on Saturday, Kallon revealed that a UN Humanitarian Air Service helicopter caught up in the crossfire was hit by bullets, causing serious damage.
He said, “I am gravely concerned about reports of another violent attack by non-state armed groups in Damasak, Borno State, on 2 July, in which at least two innocent civilians lost their lives, including a five-year-old child.
“Several others were injured, and a humanitarian helicopter was hit, sustaining serious damage.”
Although the UN representative noted that there was no aid worker aboard the helicopter, he called on the Nigerian Government to investigate the attack and swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice.
According to him, the attack and damage to the helicopter severely affect the ability of aid actors to provide urgently needed assistance to vulnerable people in remote areas across Borno State.
“The UN Humanitarian Air Service is essential to evacuate wounded civilians and remains the backbone to facilitating humanitarian access, thereby enabling UN agencies and non-governmental organisations to safely and securely reach the most vulnerable populations.
“In 2019, UNHAS transported 66,271 passengers and 147 megatons of humanitarian assistance, as well as conducted 30 medical and 70 security evacuations,” Kallon added.
He condemned the attacks against civilians, humanitarian assets, and aid workers, thereby calling on all armed parties to respect the international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
The UN official also urged the parties to allow and facilitate safe and unimpeded access for humanitarians to deliver life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable people in the North East.
According to him, 7.8 million people in the crisis-affected states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, mostly living in remote areas need humanitarian aid.
Kallon explained that in recognition of Thursday’s incident and consultation with some humanitarian organisations, it became necessary to pause UNHAS rotary operations in the region.
He stated that this was to allow the UN to engage government partners and conduct new risk assessments for each helicopter location to ensure that they have taken all the possible mitigation measures.
“The pause will be for an initial period of one week, at which time we will review the situation.
LOS ANGELES – A Dubai resident who flaunted his extravagant lifestyle on social media has arrived in the United States to face criminal charges alleging he conspired to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from business email compromise (BEC) frauds and other scams, including schemes targeting a U.S. law firm, a foreign bank and an English Premier League soccer club.
Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, 37, a.k.a. “Ray Hushpuppi” and “Hush,” a Nigerian national, arrived in Chicago Thursday evening after being expelled from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Abbas made his initial U.S. court appearance this morning in Chicago, and he is expected to be transferred to Los Angeles in the coming weeks.
Abbas was arrested last month June 2020 by UAE law enforcement officials. FBI special agents earlier this week obtained custody of Abbas and brought him to the United States to face a charge of conspiring to engage in money laundering that is alleged in a criminal complaint filed on June 25 by federal prosecutors in Los Angeles.
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Abbas maintains social media accounts that frequently showed him in designer clothes, wearing expensive watches, and posing in or with luxury cars and charter jets. “The FBI’s investigation has revealed that Abbas finances this opulent lifestyle through crime, and that he is one of the leaders of a transnational network that facilitates computer intrusions, fraudulent schemes (including BEC schemes), and money laundering, targeting victims around the world in schemes designed to steal hundreds of millions of dollars,” according to the affidavit.
The affidavit describes BEC schemes as often involving a computer hacker gaining unauthorized access to a business’ email account, blocking or redirecting communications to and/or from that email account, and then using the compromised email account or a separate fraudulent email account to communicate with personnel from a victim company and to attempt to trick them into making an unauthorized wire transfer.
“BEC schemes are one of the most difficult cybercrimes we encounter as they typically involve a coordinated group of con artists scattered around the world who have experience with computer hacking and exploiting the international financial system,” said United States Attorney Nick Hanna. “This case targets a key player in a large, transnational conspiracy who was living an opulent lifestyle in another country while allegedly providing safe havens for stolen money around the world. As this case demonstrates, my office will continue to hold such criminals accountable, no matter where they live.”
“In 2019 alone, the FBI recorded $1.7 billion in losses by companies and individuals victimized through business email compromise scams, the type of scheme Mr. Abbas is charged with conducting from abroad,” said Paul Delacourt, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “While this arrest has effectively taken a major alleged BEC player offline, BEC scams represent the most financially costly type of scheme reported to the FBI. I urge anyone who transfers funds personally or on behalf of a company to educate themselves about BEC so they can identify this insidious scheme before losing sizable amounts of money.”
“This was a challenging case, one that spanned international boundaries, traditional financial systems and the digital sphere,” said Jesse Baker, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Los Angles Field Office. “Technology has essentially erased geographic boundaries leaving trans-national criminal syndicates to believe that they are beyond the reach of law enforcement. The success in this case was the direct result of our trusted partnerships between the Department of Justice and our federal law enforcement colleagues. These partnerships helped dismantle a sophisticated organized crime group who preyed upon unsuspecting businesses. It is thanks to these partnerships that the American people can feel a bit more secure today.”
The affidavit alleges that Abbas and others committed a BEC scheme that defrauded a client of a New York-based law firm out of approximately $922,857 in October 2019. Abbas and co-conspirators allegedly tricked one of the law firm’s paralegals into wiring money intended for the client’s real estate refinancing to a bank account that was controlled by Abbas and the co-conspirators.
The affidavit also alleges that Abbas conspired to launder funds stolen in a $14.7 million cyber-heist from a foreign financial institution in February 2019, in which the stolen money was sent to bank accounts around the world. Abbas allegedly provided a co-conspirator with two bank accounts in Europe that Abbas anticipated each would receive €5 million (about $5.6 million) of the fraudulently obtained funds.
Abbas and others further conspired to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from other fraudulent schemes and computer intrusions, including one scheme to steal £100 million (approximately $124 million) from an English Premier League soccer club, the complaint alleges.
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted of conspiracy to engage in money laundering, Abbas would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
The FBI led the investigation of Abbas, and the United States Secret Service was also involved and provided substantial assistance. The FBI further thanks the government of the United Arab Emirates and the Dubai Police Department for their substantial assistance.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anil J. Antony and Joseph B. Woodring of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in this matter.
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello Friday approved the appointment of Justice Henry A.Olusiyi to perform the functions of the Chief judge of the State
Similarly, The Governor approved the appointment of Hon. Justice Bayo Olowosegun to perform the functions of the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Kogi State.
These appointments followed the demise of both Justices Nasiru Ajana chief judge of the state and Shaibu Atadoga, president customary court of appeals.
A statement issued in Lokoja by the governor’s spokesman, Onogwu Mohammed said both appointments are for a period of three months.
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