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Nigerian man pleads guilty to wire and immigration fraud in US

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Mercy Ojedeji, a 24-year-old Nigerian man, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and unlawful use of fraudulent immigration documents in the United States.

The plea was entered in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Ojedeji admitted to fraudulently obtaining a student visa to enroll in the University of Missouri’s chemistry PhD program for the Fall 2023 semester. He used falsified academic transcripts, recommendation letters, a fake resume, and a fabricated English proficiency report to secure admission and a visa.

Upon arrival in the U.S., he acquired a Social Security card, a Missouri driver’s license, opened a bank account, and secured housing. He also received a stipend and tuition waiver from the university valued at over $49,000.

ALSO READ: US-based Nigerian doctor ‘kills self’ after court awards $15k monthly child support to ex-wife

Despite these benefits, Ojedeji failed to attend classes or participate in research activities, leading to his dismissal from the program in January 2024 and the termination of his student visa. Nonetheless, he used the invalid visa to obtain a state driver’s license on February 26, 2024.

The investigation began when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service received complaints about victims of a romance fraud scheme sending packages of cash and gift cards to the home of Ojedeji’s partner.

Authorities tracked 35 Express Mail packages linked to Nigerian IP addresses between December 19, 2023, and January 4, 2024. A court-approved search of the home uncovered 193 packages related to the fraud scheme. Seventeen seized packages contained $94,150 in cash and gift cards, with prosecutors estimating the total intended loss at over $1 million.

While Ojedeji pleaded guilty to immigration and wire fraud charges, he denied involvement in the romance scam. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10.


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The wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while the immigration fraud charge could add up to 10 more years and a similar fine. The judge will determine the final penalties during sentencing.

ALSO READ: Proud moment as Nigerian woman Abayomi Whint becomes judge in US


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Tension in Abia as monarch raises alarm over land acquisitions by suspected herdsmen

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The traditional ruler of Okahia Autonomous Community in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, Eze Okey Ananaba, has raised serious concerns over what he described as a looming security threat caused by massive land acquisitions by suspected herdsmen in the region.

Speaking during a sensitization visit and town hall meeting with officials of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), Eze Ananaba alleged that herders had acquired over 5,000 plots of land in strategic border communities such as Mgboko Umuanunu—near the boundary with Akwa Ibom State—and Akpaa Mbato, which lies behind the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN) in Ovom, Aba.

The monarch warned that these land grabs could serve as operational bases for attacks, pointing to the destruction of farmlands and the presence of illegal firearms, including AK-47 rifles, in the hands of some herders. He said local vigilantes and farmers have received death threats from the herders when they tried to resist the encroachment.

Eze Ananaba lamented that traditional rulers in Obingwa had submitted several petitions to the Abia State Government urging intervention, but their concerns have been largely ignored. “We are the eyes of the government in our communities,” he said. “If the government continues to ignore our reports, the people will suffer.”

ALSO READ: Timaya cries out over herdsmen grazing cattle on Bayelsa farmlands

Some residents also accused unnamed traditional rulers of facilitating these land deals and called on Governor Alex Otti to launch a thorough investigation into the trend. They urged the Ministry of Lands to stop approving large land acquisitions without proper scrutiny.

The monarch’s warning echoes growing fears that the situation could escalate into violence similar to the deadly herders attacks witnessed in Benue and Plateau states.

ALSO READ: 18 cows die after grazing on farmland in Plateau State


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Uche Ogbodo shares video of herself recovering after BBL and tummy tuck surgery

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images (2) 1746386150Nollywood actress Uche Ogbodo is back in the spotlight, this time for a cosmetic procedure called Mummy makeover. In a recent video, the actress is seen being assisted by a medical personnel as she recovers from a BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift) and tummy tuck. Clearly still in pain, Uche walked slowly and carefully but kept things light-hearted, telling the person recording to film am well well  eager to show off her post-op transformation later. Watch video below…     View this post on Instagram           A post shared by Lindaikejiblog (@lindaikejiblogofficial) The post Uche Ogbodo shares video of herself recovering after BBL and tummy tuck surgery appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.


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Just mention Seyi Tinubu, you’ll go viral

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There’s a new shortcut to instant popularity in naija: add Seyi Tinubu’s name onto any wild claim and boom, you’re headline gold – no need for facts, proof, or even a little hint of evidence.

And the biggest cheerleader of this incredibly banal fancy is none other than former Vice President and serial presidential bridesmaid, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar!

This elder statesman, whom you would think ought to have mastered discretion, either on account of the high office he once occupied or his travails from the William Jefferson scandal to the intels affair and the detention and corruption trial of some of his allies and children, obviously has no chill, no filter.

Take the so-called “military parade,” for example, during which Seyi inspected a group of youths in Boy Scouts-like uniforms in Abeokuta. Before you could say, Boy Scout, Atiku, screamed to the world that they were soldiers on a parade, for Seyi. He thought and believed the worst, even at face value, when he just needed to look and he’d see those were only youth volunteers!

Then there was the funny, if not ridiculous, Elizabeth Jack-Rich drama in which scandal-monger Jackson Ude, imitating the former vice president, alleged that Seyi was having an affair with the wife of former presidential aspirant, Tein, only for the family to dismiss it as rubbish. But Jackson and others who aimed to trend on Seyi’s name had cashed out and gotten their trend.

And now, there’s the pièce de résistance: Seyi allegedly masterminding the abduction of a student leader after a ₦100 million bribe was rejected. Again, His Excellency, the former vice president, is leading the Twitterverse battalion to amplify what even the often critical socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has dismissed as “salacious, fallacious, and utterly fabricated.”

At this rate, Seyi Tinubu’s name might as well come with a “trending is guaranteed” stamp. Forget truth or proof. Even forget investigating. Just put Seyi’s name into your story and you enjoy 24 hours of viral fame! Guaranteed.

Mike Ochuko, a social commentator, writes from Asaba via mchuks1990@gmail.com

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