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Nigerian fraudster Omole pleads guilty to massive fraud in U.S., faces 20 years jail term

Nigerian fraudster, Oluseun Martin Omole aka ‘Seun Omole’ has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his participation in a widespread scheme to defraud thousands of victims in the United States and elsewhere of thousands of consumer electronics and other goods totaling more than $12 million.

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said Omole pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker.

Williams said: “Over the course of approximately five years, Oluseun Martins Omole received more than $12 million worth of fraudulently obtained consumer electronics and other items.

“Thousands of victims believed that they were sending these electronics and items to romantic lovers, legitimate buyers, and reputable employers.

“Instead, they went straight to Omole, who repackaged those electronics and goods and shipped them in bulk to co-conspirators located overseas in exchange for the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars. Those like Omole who participate in such fraud schemes will find themselves facing prison time.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and Complaint, the plea agreement, and other public filings and statements made in court: From at least in or about February 2018 through at least in or about March 2023, Omole participated in a criminal enterprise based in Nigeria (the “Enterprise”), which orchestrated various scams to defraud thousands of victims in the United States and elsewhere of more than $12 million in consumer electronics, including smartphones, smart watches, laptops, and tablets, among other items.

The scams perpetrated by the members of the Enterprise included (i) romance scams, in which Enterprise members sent electronic communications to victims feigning romantic intentions, gained their trust and affection, and took advantage of that goodwill to induce victims into sending consumer electronics and other money or property to OMOLE;

(ii) online marketplace scams, in which Enterprise members sent electronic communications to victims feigning interest in buying consumer electronics, falsely represented to the victim that the items had been paid for, and instructed the victim to send the consumer electronics to Omole; and (iii) employment scams, in which Enterprise members posted phony jobs online and informed unwitting victims that they were hired before instructing victims to send electronics to OMOLE under the guise that those electronics were needed for the job (together, the “Fraudulent Electronics Scams”).

During the relevant time period, Omole owned and operated a business corporation named Tobylink Impessions, Inc., a/k/a Tobylink Impressions, Inc. (“Tobylink”), which claimed to be a distributor, re-seller, and supplier of satellite communications equipment. In reality, however, Tobylink served as a vehicle through which Omole received thousands of fraudulently obtained goods from victims of the Enterprise before repackaging and shipping those items to various co-conspirators located in Nigeria.

During his participation in the conspiracy, Omole received and sent more than $12 million in consumer electronics and other items to other members of the Enterprise, in exchange for the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars in fees that OMOLE charged other Enterprise members.

Omole, 57, of Sugar Land, Texas, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

As part of his plea agreement, Omole agreed to pay restitution in an amount to be ordered by the Court and to forfeit an amount of U.S. currency to be ordered by the Court, as well as various consumer electronics and other goods seized by law enforcement.

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Omole’s sentencing is scheduled for July 30, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman.

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Obaseki swears-in 5 new judges into Edo State high court

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki on Friday sworn in five judges to the bench of the Edo State High Court.

Addressing the judges at the swearing-in held in Government House, Benin City, the governor urged them to do right to all cases brought before them.

“It is with delight that today I am swearing in five additional judges to the bench of the Edo State High Court. When I came into office in 2016, one of the commitments we made was to strengthen the judiciary. This is because of its role in the democratic process. As a government, we are going to ensure that we support the judiciary.

“Let me start with the latest reforms which are, for me, assenting to the law providing for the autonomy of the judiciary. I believe that we are one of the few states in Nigeria today that have signed the bill of the autonomy of the judiciary into law.

“It is going through a learning curve but because we believe in the independence of the judiciary; we have demonstrated our commitment to wholistic reforms by enacting that law. We would work with the chief judge and members of the judiciary to continue fine-tuning the way and manner in which the laws are applied.

“You are all witness to the infrastructural upgrade which we have begun in the judiciary. From providing court rooms especially in Benin City to more accommodation for Judges. In the development plan we are currently designing, we have enshrined and ensured that within five years of implementing the new Edo State Master Plan, the infrastructural development for the judiciary will be completed.

“In line with the other reforms which we are undertaking in the state, we are encouraging the judicial arm of government to take advantage of the digital infrastructure that the State is currently investing in as we have built over 2,000 km fibre optic connection across the State. We now have a digital infrastructure in every area where we have a high court. Please take advantage of the investment made.

“I thank the chief judge for the support he has continued to extend to the executive. I know that the swearing-in of judges that we are experiencing today has raised quite a few issues. As part of our intention to reform the entire arm of government in Edo State, when we get complaints or petitions that some of our choices will not go well to strengthen the judiciary, I believe it is important to take a step back and re-examine the petitions critically. This is what has happened in this case.

“We are currently waiting on the National Judicial Commission (NJC) to let us know the outcome of its decision on the other judges we have received petitions for and we will comply with the decision of NJC.

“We congratulate the judges being sworn in today. They are lucky as they are likely to spend more time in the service because of the extension in the retirement age. We wish you well and hope you will always do right in all cases brought before you.

Speaking on behalf of the new judges, Osayende Ikwuemosi Awawu, said, “We are going to do our jobs and perform our duties to the best of our ability.”

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Police arrest fake alcoholic drink producer in Delta

Operatives of Delta Police Command have arrested one Chiemenam Adigwe a 45 years old native of Akpo community in Aguata LGA, Anambra State who specialised in production of fake alcoholic drinks.

Adigwe was one of the suspects recently arrested by tbe police paraded in Asaba headquarters of Delta Police Command earlier in the week.

The fake alcoholic drink producer was paraded alongside kidnapping, armed robbery and other suspects

Adigwe was arrested following intelligence report about a suspect who produces fake alcoholic drinks in Bomadi to operatives of Delta Police Command.

Following the report, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda had detailed the Divisional Police Officer, DPO of Bomadi to investigate the claim.

The DPO subsequently led operatives to the hideout where Chiemenam Adigwe was arrested with over hundred bottles of Gordons, Chelsea, Eagle Schnapps and McDowell’s recovered from his hideout.

On how Adigwe was producing the fake drinks, the Police Commissioner who briefed journalists on the arrest said,

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect mixes ethanol with water and adds flavor to it, then package these fake drinks in empty bottles of Gordons, Chelsea, and McDowell’s which he usually buys from Onitsha.

“Suspect also stated that when he supplies to his customers,

“He tell them he usually order the drinks from Onitsha. Suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing.

News

LAWMA arrests 1,081 environmental offenders in Lagos

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has arrested 1,081 environmental offenders in the last one year.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab disclosed this on Friday at a ministerial news conference in Alausa, Ikeja.

Wahab said disclosed that LAWMA during the period under review identified 103 illegal blackspots across the metropolis and made efforts to ensure it dislodged them.

“A total number of 1,081 environmental offenders were arrested for various environmental offences with 1,016 being prosecuted by the Mobile Magistrate’s court and sentenced to community service at various locations in the state, with an option of fine.

“Monitoring gangs were also deployed across 20 Local Governments to capture evidence of illegal dumping activities and possible prosecution,” he said.

The commissioner said LAWMA improved containerization and sanitation practices in markets, plazas, malls, warehouses, and mechanic workshops achieved through awareness campaigns promoting proper waste management practices.

He added that the Lagos State Government through LAWMA signed an MOU with Jospong Group on waste treatment solutions in the state.

“This MOU will see to the Identification of existing dumpsites/TLSs as potential candidates for conversion/upgrading to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and compost facilities.

“Collaboration between LAWMA and Jospong technical teams will Re-engineer the solid waste management system in Lagos State and ensuring Creation of job opportunities in the Waste to Wealth value chain,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wahab disclosed that following his announcement of a ban of use, sale and distribution of Styrofoam food containers on January 22, 2024, due to grave health concerns and the dangers to the ecosystem and drainage channels, the Ministry through the Sanitation Services Department facilitated meetings with stakeholders concerned and followed up the three weeks moratorium to mop-up Styrofoam products from distributors and Lagos markets.

“After the expiration, enforcement activities were commenced by joint effort of Scientific Officers in the Ministry, Environmental Health Officers as well as KAI personnel in the State.

“A total of over 900 kg of Styrofoam food containers have so far been confiscated and deposited at the TLS Marini in Oshodi for destruction.

“More efforts are however being intensified on public awareness and sensitization of residents on the dangers inherent in the continued usage of the Styrofoam food containers,” he said.