Headlines

Police burst Nigeria’ s self-styled ‘King of Money’ in 1 billion naira fraud

By Owolola Adebola

Widely known within the social circles as the new Nigeria’s king of money, self-styled Osita David, of K.D.Likeminds has finally been unmasked by police detectives attached to the G7 Team, an arm of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Alagbon Close, Lagos as a crook with multiple identities.

His arrest was effected penultimate week.

As at the time of his arrest, he had succeeded in duping unsuspected Nigerians to the tune of over a billion naira.

Dependable sources at the police apex criminal investigations unit informed our dog -eared correspondent that prior to the arrest of the suspect, the police at Alagbon had received various letters of complaints from the victims of the arrested alleged fraudster, detailing how Osita David had played the fast one on the Intelligence of many Nigerians.

He was said to have coerced his victims into parting with their hard-earned money in a well-coordinated scheme to sustain his flamboyance lifestyle.

The suspect’s mode of operation was to place advertisements at some public places informing Nigerians of the need for them to invest little money and get big dividends in 30 days.

It was like the modern-day wonder banks.

While doing this, the suspect’s foot soldiers would be going around with handbills to smooth-talk individuals on the financial benefits accrued from such a business venture that takes little or no labour to harvest.

He reportedly told his victims that, his company was into “Estate Affairs, Bureau- de -change operations, Financial Affairs, Sand mining, Motor-parts, Agriculture and a host of other money-spinning concerns.

In one of his advertisement billboards, K.D.Likemind Stakeholders boasts of having branches spread across Lagos and Ogun states and even a branch in the United Kingdom.

We exclusively gathered that Osita David, also known as King of money, was so fortunate in the non-existence scheme to the extent that, within a short period of time, thousands of gullible investors who swallowed his baits hook, line, and sinker started pouring in millions of naira.

While Osita David was smiling to the bank on daily basis, his victims waited patiently for the 30 days ultimatum for them to get returns on their investment that never came.

Beyond this, the suspect soon forgot his promise to the investors as he started acquiring state-of-the-art automobiles, choice properties across the states of the federation.

” The money kept pouring into his account and he smiles to the bank almost on daily basis. The suspect soon forgot his promises to the investors as it began to acquire state-of-the-art automobiles which he cruises around with security escorts”, our source squealed.

On the maturity date, he reportedly paid some dividends to those that were ready to make trouble in the event that the suspect reneged on his promise.

“He would tell others to come at a later date by cajoling them to reinvest the capital while promising them only the interest”‘the source added.

Continuing, the source said: ” before long, Osita David would tell other investors some cock and bull stories on why there had been a delay in the payments”.

When it becomes glaring that Osita was playing on their intelligence, they made complaints to the police at Alagbon, who stormed the suspect’s residence with a warrant of arrest.

At the suspect’s residence, detectives recovered four SUV cars, a house under construction at the Ipaye area of Lagos, hectares of land in Epe, another house under construction in his village among other choice properties suspected to be proceeds of crime.

On interrogation, the suspect told detectives that, he had made full preparations to jet out of the country but for their timely intervention.

He told detectives that he was surprised to see them.

Confirming the story to our correspondent, Mr.Galadanchi, an Assistant Inspector General of Police at the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department(FIID) Alagbon, Lagos said that, the suspect would be taken to court at the end of the investigation.

” We are still looking for his accomplices, his foot soldiers. There is no hiding place for criminals”, he said.

Headlines

Maersk’s suspension of shipping operations through Strait of Hormuz raises anxiety among Nigerian importers

Attack on vessel in the Strait of Hormuz

Funso OLOJO, with agency report

The on- going hostilies in the Middle East have continued to stifle international trade as most of the shipping companies have suspended voyage through the troubled Strait of Hormuz.

The joint attacks by the military forces of the United States of America (USA) and Israel on the Islamic Republic of Iran, which resulted in the assassination of its Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khomenei and over 40 top military officers of the Islamic country,have put a strain on shipping operations along the busy vessel route of Strait of Hormuz as the Houthis militias, who are sympathetic to Iran, have threatened to attack vessels on the route.

Strait of Hormuz accounts for one third of the world shipping passage while the route accommodates the world largest crude tankers , despite its narrow width.

As a result of the threats, which have raised safety concerns on the vessels, cargos and crews, major shipping lines have halted their operations along the route.

Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping company, has halted passage of cargo vessels through the Strait of Hormuz for “safety” reasons.

“We are suspending all vessel crossings in the Strait of Hormuz until further notice,” the Danish group said in an online advisory.“The safety of our crews, vessels and customers’ cargo remains our key priority,” it said.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had earlier announced the Strait’s closure.

Major Middle Eastern oil and gas exporters rely on it to move supplies to international markets while importing nations depend on its uninterrupted operation.

China, one of the biggest destinations of Nigerian importers, make use of the route for import of the crude oil from the Middle East, especially Iran and export of its manufactured goods to the developing countries, especially Nigeria.

This development has raised anxiety among Nigerian importers who expressed concerns over the implications of the disruption on the route one the cost of imports, especially from China.

Headlines

NRC hosts Rotary Club on mobile train

Gloria Odion, Reporter

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has played host to the Rotary Club of Ota by hosting Nigeria’s first-ever Rotary fellowship on a moving train, setting a remarkable benchmark for innovation in civic and humanitarian engagement.

The groundbreaking event brought together members of the club aboard a moving train for fellowship, leadership interaction, and strategic discussion centered on service to humanity, climate action, and sustainable community development.

The fellowship was led by the President of the Rotary Club of Ota, Mr. Charles Umukoro, alongside members of the club’s executive and general membership.

A major highlight of the occasion was the visit of the Railway District Manager, Engr. Rasheed Adedeji, who warmly welcomed the Rotarians on board.

His presence underscored the significance of the event and further strengthened the cordial relationship between the railway management and the Rotary Club.

In a symbolic moment reflecting shared values of service and partnership, Engr. Rasheed Adedeji was formally inducted as a member of the Rotary Club of Ota following his welcome address, adding prestige and deeper institutional collaboration to the landmark fellowship.

The moving-train fellowship was widely described as symbolic of progress, innovation, and forward movement—values that align closely with the transformation agenda of the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation said it was committed to supporting initiatives that promote national development, environmental sustainability, and community advancement, while showcasing the railway as a safe, modern, and strategic platform for engagement.

Headlines

In Malmo, Sweden, NIMASA renews capacity development partnership with WMU

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has renewed its strategic capacity development partnership with the World Maritime University (WMU), Malmö, Sweden, through the signing of a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime human capital and institutional capacity.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, described the partnership as a critical pillar in NIMASA’s human capital development framework and a strategic investment in Nigeria’s maritime future.

“This collaboration has significantly strengthened our technical and regulatory capabilities over the years.

“Officers trained at WMU have enhanced our effectiveness in maritime safety administration, environmental compliance, maritime law, and shipping management.

“Their expertise has also reinforced Nigeria’s participation at the International Maritime Organization and other international maritime platforms,” he stated.

Under the renewed MoU, which was first signed in 2022, NIMASA will sponsor at least ten officers annually for the 14-month Master of Science programme at WMU in Malmö for the 2026–2029 intakes, as well as at least one officer for the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programme jointly delivered by WMU and the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), Malta.

The MoU also provides for distance learning, executive professional development courses, research collaboration and technical assistance to strengthen NIMASA’s capacity in maritime safety, environmental management, seafarer certification and implementation of international maritime instruments.

WMU will further seek additional fellowships from international donors for qualified NIMASA candidates.

Dr. Mobereola endorsed the MoU on behalf of NIMASA with the President of WMU, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia Jr signing on behalf of the University while Executive Director Finance and Administration, NIMASA ,Chudi Offodile and the Registrar of WMU, Mr. Peter Marriott both signed as witnesses.

Established in 1983 by the International Maritime Organization, WMU was mandated to strengthen global maritime capacity, particularly in developing countries.

The University has since become a leading centre of excellence, and Nigeria has benefited significantly through the training of NIMASA officers who continue to enhance national maritime governance and international engagement.