Hundreds of youths took to major streets in Benin, the Edo State capital, to mark the first anniversary of the EndSARS protests on Wednesday.
They converged at the Oba Ovonramwen Square, popularly called Ring Road, with placards bearing various inscriptions. They demanded automatic employment for the victims of the protest in the state.
The youths also demanded implementation of the report of the judicial panel that was set up by the state government, adding that those still in detention as a result of the 2020 protest should be released unconditionally, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
Security personnel drawn from the Nigerian police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and members of local vigilante were on the ground to ensure peace.
Members of the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) controlled traffic while the peaceful march lasted.
Two of the victims, a fashion designer, Miracle Ailenokhoriah, who has been bedridden as a result of a gunshot to his right thigh, and Stephen Asekhame, whose left leg was amputated as a result of a gunshot from soldiers in Auchi during the protest, joined other protesters.
Asekhame, who is from Uhonmora, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo, said he was amputated after he was hit by a bullet during the protest.
“During the protest last year on the 19th of October 2020, we in Auchi decided to hold our peaceful protest. Soldiers ran into us and I was hit by a bullet that led to the amputation of my left leg. I was a student then but now I am a graduate and I am supposed to go for NYSC next Sunday.
“I presented my case before the panel through my lawyer, but till now, we have not heard anything from the panel,” he said.
Ailenokhoriah, who was accompanied by his mother, said they were protesting at the Market Square in Ekpoma when a policeman he identified as Sergeant Ade, shot him.
“Ade and other policemen started beating me and they said if I die, I would be buried behind the police station. I was later sent to the hospital where I spent three months and now we have resorted to traditional treatment. But since then, I have not been able to stand up,” he said.
His mother, Betty Odiagbe, said they had sent a petition and appeared before the panel but nothing had come out of it.
She lamented that she had spent so much on her son's health which had made it impossible for her to pay the school fees of her other children.
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Hundreds of youths took to major streets in Benin, the Edo State capital, to mark the first anniversary of the EndSARS protests on Wednesday.
They converged at the Oba Ovonramwen Square, popularly called Ring Road, with placards bearing various inscriptions. They demanded automatic employment for the victims of the protest in the state.
The youths also demanded implementation of the report of the judicial panel that was set up by the state government, adding that those still in detention as a result of the 2020 protest should be released unconditionally, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
Security personnel drawn from the Nigerian police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and members of local vigilante were on the ground to ensure peace.
Members of the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) controlled traffic while the peaceful march lasted.
Two of the victims, a fashion designer, Miracle Ailenokhoriah, who has been bedridden as a result of a gunshot to his right thigh, and Stephen Asekhame, whose left leg was amputated as a result of a gunshot from soldiers in Auchi during the protest, joined other protesters.
Asekhame, who is from Uhonmora, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo, said he was amputated after he was hit by a bullet during the protest.
“During the protest last year on the 19th of October 2020, we in Auchi decided to hold our peaceful protest. Soldiers ran into us and I was hit by a bullet that led to the amputation of my left leg. I was a student then but now I am a graduate and I am supposed to go for NYSC next Sunday.
“I presented my case before the panel through my lawyer, but till now, we have not heard anything from the panel,” he said.
Ailenokhoriah, who was accompanied by his mother, said they were protesting at the Market Square in Ekpoma when a policeman he identified as Sergeant Ade, shot him.
“Ade and other policemen started beating me and they said if I die, I would be buried behind the police station. I was later sent to the hospital where I spent three months and now we have resorted to traditional treatment. But since then, I have not been able to stand up,” he said.
His mother, Betty Odiagbe, said they had sent a petition and appeared before the panel but nothing had come out of it.
She lamented that she had spent so much on her son's health which had made it impossible for her to pay the school fees of her other children.
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Seven leaders of the Cape Town zone of the Neo Black Movement of Africa, also known as “Black Axe,” and an eighth man who conspired with a Black Axe leader, were charged with multiple federal crimes relating to Internet scams they perpetrated from South Africa, Acting U.S. Attorney, Rachael A. Honig, has announced.
According to the US Department of Justice, Perry Osagiede, aka “Lord Sutan Abubakar de 1st,” aka “Rob Nicolella,” aka “Alan Salomon,” 52; Enorense Izevbigie, aka “Richy Izevbigie,” aka “Lord Samuel S Nujoma,” 45; Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, aka, “Lord Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela,” aka, “Edosa Franklyn Osagiede,” aka “Dave Hewitt,” aka, “Bruce Dupont,” 37; Osariemen Eric Clement, aka, “Lord Adekunle Ajasi,” aka, “Aiden Wilson,” 35; Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, aka, “Lord Jesse Makoko,” aka, “Philip Coughlan,” 37; and Musa Mudashiru, aka “Lord Oba Akenzua,” 33; all originally from Nigeria, are charged by superseding indictment with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, spanning 2011 to 2021. One defendant remains at large.
FBI AgentsThe intercept
Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede, Clement, and Izevbigie were also charged with wire fraud. Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede, and Otughwor were charged with aggravated identity theft.
Toritseju Gabriel Otubu, aka “Andy Richards,” aka “Ann Petersen,” 41, also originally from Nigeria, is charged by separate indictment with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering conspiracy, spanning 2016 to 2021.
“Americans are too often victimized by criminal organizations located abroad who use the Internet to deceive those victims, defraud them of money, and, many times, persuade the victims to wittingly or unwittingly assist in perpetuating the fraudulent schemes,” Acting U.S. Attorney Honig said.
“The public should be on guard against schemes like these. And, more importantly, anyone thinking of engaging in this kind of criminal conduct should understand that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners will find them and bring them to justice, no matter where they are.”
Secret Service Office of Investigations, Assistant Director Jeremy Sheridan, added, “Transnational organized criminal networks continue to victimize U.S. citizens and threaten the financial infrastructure of the United States.
“The Secret Service, alongside our partner agencies, work tirelessly in its global investigative mission to dismantle these groups and arrest those who lead them. We are proud to be a part of the international law enforcement mission to combat all forms of financial crimes and thank all those involved in this investigation. The U.S. Secret Service extends its gratitude to the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service for its assistance.
“Foreign nationals who think they can hide in another country or cyberspace while preying on our citizens need to know one thing.
“The FBI has a global footprint and will use every resource available to protect the American people. The strong working relationship among our federal and international law enforcement partners allows us to reach across geographical boundaries. In other words, anyone who thinks they can avoid American justice simply by operating outside the United States should rethink their strategy.”
According to documents filed in these cases: Perry Osagiede, Izevbigie, Franklyn Osagiede, Clement, Otughwor, and Mudashiru (the “Black Axe defendants”) were all leaders of the Neo Black Movement of Africa, also known as “Black Axe,” an organization headquartered in Benin City, Nigeria that operates in various countries.
The Black Axe is organized into regional chapters known as “zones,” and the defendants were all leaders within the Cape Town, South Africa, Zone. Perry Osagiede founded the Cape Town Zone of Black Axe and worked as its zonal head, along with Izevbigie. The Black Axe defendants and other members of Black Axe took part in, and openly discussed, fraud schemes amongst their membership.
From at least 2011 through 2021, the Black Axe defendants and other conspirators worked together from Cape Town to engage in widespread internet fraud involving romance scams and advance-fee schemes. Many of these fraudulent narratives involved claims that an individual was traveling to South Africa for work and needed money or other items of value following a series of unfortunate and unforeseen events, often involving a construction site or problems with a crane.
The conspirators used social media websites, online dating websites, and voice-over-internet protocol phone numbers to find and talk with victims in the United States while using many aliases.
The conspirators’ romance scam victims believed they were in romantic relationships with the person using the alias and when requested, the victims sent money and items of value overseas, including to South Africa. Sometimes, when victims expressed hesitation in sending money, the conspirators used manipulative tactics to coerce the payments, including by threatening to distribute personally sensitive photographs of the victim.
The conspirators used the bank accounts of victims and individuals with U.S.-based financial accounts to transfer the money to South Africa. On certain occasions, the conspirators convinced victims to open financial accounts in the United States that the conspirators would then be permitted to use themselves. In addition to laundering money derived from romance scams and advance-fee schemes, the conspirators also worked to launder money from business email compromise schemes. In addition to their aliases, the conspirators used business entities to conceal and disguise the illegal nature of the funds.
Otubu also engaged in romance scams and used the victims of those scams to obtain money and to launder the proceeds of business email compromises back to South Africa. Otubu conspired with an individual identified in the criminal complaint as Co-conspirator 1, who was a founding member and leader of the Cape Town Zone of Black Axe.
The wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud charges each carry a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. The money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greatest. The aggravated identity theft charges carry a mandatory term of two years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed on a defendant.
Seven defendants were arrested in South Africa yesterday by the South African Police Service. Those defendants had their initial appearances in South Africa and are awaiting extradition to the United States on these charges. Both cases are before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court.
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The police in Enugu State, on Wednesday, swooped on participants at an #EndSARS one-year anniversary symposium.
According to Nigerian Tribune, the police, who came in several vans, entered the Centre for Monument on Awgu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, the venue of the symposium and started harassing the participants.
The policemen afterwards ejected the participants.
They also reportedly seized and destroyed materials belonging to the participants and conveners.
The memorial symposium was put together by the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Enugu State to commemorate the reported killings of innocent Nigerians during the EndSARS protest against police brutality in Nigeria.
According to comrade Chukwudi Anachuna, the chairman of the Network of CSOs in Enugu, the police had invaded the venue in a WhatsApp message he shared.
“Our gathering has been disrupted by the police. The youth who wanted to resist were attacked and some were even arrested. Some of our materials were also taken away,” he said.
Meanwhile, the police in the state could not be reached immediately for confirmation.
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The police in Enugu State, on Wednesday, swooped on participants at an #EndSARS one-year anniversary symposium.
According to Nigerian Tribune, the police, who came in several vans, entered the Centre for Monument on Awgu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, the venue of the symposium and started harassing the participants.
The policemen afterwards ejected the participants.
They also reportedly seized and destroyed materials belonging to the participants and conveners.
The memorial symposium was put together by the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Enugu State to commemorate the reported killings of innocent Nigerians during the EndSARS protest against police brutality in Nigeria.
According to comrade Chukwudi Anachuna, the chairman of the Network of CSOs in Enugu, the police had invaded the venue in a WhatsApp message he shared.
“Our gathering has been disrupted by the police. The youth who wanted to resist were attacked and some were even arrested. Some of our materials were also taken away,” he said.
Meanwhile, the police in the state could not be reached immediately for confirmation.
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Nigeria’s self-determination groups resumed their protest at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday.
The protesters, who are agitating for the independence of Yoruba and Biafran nations, chanted anti-oppression songs and asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign.
The protest at the UN headquarters came as youths in Nigeria also took to the streets in commemoration of the #EndSARS movement.
The protesters were demanding for justice for those killed by soldiers at the plaza on October 20, 2020.
“How many people soldier go kill? How many people soldier go kill? Them go kill us tire,” the protesters chorused.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, had on Wednesday said the command would deploy all legitimate means to stop or neutralise the planned protests to mark #EndSARS anniversary.
Odumosu, in a statement issued by the Lagos State Police Command’s spokesman, Adekunle Ajisebutu, had said the attention of the command had been drawn to a post being circulated on the social media insinuating that the police in Lagos had agreed to allow street protests in commemoration of the one year EndSARS anniversary on 20th October, 2021.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the #EndSARS campaigners in various vehicles flooded the Lekki tollgate despite the heavy police presence.
SaharaReporters had observed that the campaigners, in several vehicles, held on to the Nigerian flag and chanted #EndSARS while driving past the stationed police vehicles.
The organisers of the #EndSARS anniversary protests in Lagos had on Tuesday said they would embark on a two-hour car procession through the Lekki Tollgate.
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, had said, “We will commence the protest at the Unity Fountain, Abuja by 8am in the morning.”
Adeyanju, who confirmed that the protests would begin from the Unity Fountain, added, “I don’t think we need to inform the police about the protests.”
Two of the organisers — Folarin Falana and Adebowale Adedayo — had also lent their voice to the protests via social media posts.
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Nigeria’s self-determination groups resumed their protest at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday.
The protesters, who are agitating for the independence of Yoruba and Biafran nations, chanted anti-oppression songs and asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign.
The protest at the UN headquarters came as youths in Nigeria also took to the streets in commemoration of the #EndSARS movement.
The protesters were demanding for justice for those killed by soldiers at the plaza on October 20, 2020.
“How many people soldier go kill? How many people soldier go kill? Them go kill us tire,” the protesters chorused.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, had on Wednesday said the command would deploy all legitimate means to stop or neutralise the planned protests to mark #EndSARS anniversary.
Odumosu, in a statement issued by the Lagos State Police Command’s spokesman, Adekunle Ajisebutu, had said the attention of the command had been drawn to a post being circulated on the social media insinuating that the police in Lagos had agreed to allow street protests in commemoration of the one year EndSARS anniversary on 20th October, 2021.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the #EndSARS campaigners in various vehicles flooded the Lekki tollgate despite the heavy police presence.
SaharaReporters had observed that the campaigners, in several vehicles, held on to the Nigerian flag and chanted #EndSARS while driving past the stationed police vehicles.
The organisers of the #EndSARS anniversary protests in Lagos had on Tuesday said they would embark on a two-hour car procession through the Lekki Tollgate.
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, had said, “We will commence the protest at the Unity Fountain, Abuja by 8am in the morning.”
Adeyanju, who confirmed that the protests would begin from the Unity Fountain, added, “I don’t think we need to inform the police about the protests.”
Two of the organisers — Folarin Falana and Adebowale Adedayo — had also lent their voice to the protests via social media posts.
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Operatives of the Osun State Police Command on Wednesday reportedly arrested a journalist with Daily Post, Sikiru Obarayese, during the #EndSARS memorial protest.
The journalist was arrested while covering the protests which took place in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
File Photo
It was learnt that Obarayese was arrested at the Freedom Park area in Osogbo despite identifying himself.
Also, the police after arresting the journalist reportedly took him to Dugbe Police Station.
This was after the protesters had gathered around the state capital to protest in commemoration of the anniversary of the EndSARS protests which occurred across the country late last year.
But the spokesperson of the State Police, Yemisi Opalola in her reaction, simply stated that "We are managing the situation already please. Thanks."
Recall that the state police had previously warned residents of the state against any form of protests and unlawful assembly in commemoration of EndSARS protests.
Earlier today in Lagos, the police also swooped on a journalist with Legit TV, Abisola, at the Lekki tollgate area and one other protester, whisking them away to an unknown location.
They were later released.
The Osun State Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, had vowed to use all means to avert the memorial protests in state adding that proper intelligence was being deployed to curtail such activities.
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Faith Oyedepo, the wife of General Overseer of Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has said God will avenge the death of innocent Nigerians killed during the #EndSARS protest last year.
Oyedepo joined other Nigerians in remembering the sad event which took place at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, while calling for prayers for justice.
She added that many Nigerians were still being brutalised and harassed.
On her verified Facebook page, Oyedepo wrote, “Wow. One year has gone by since the Lekki massacre occurred. Like yesterday, the pains and horror of that fateful night remain fresh in our minds.
“Sadly, justice is yet to be done and no one brought to book yet; plus so many more have been and are still being gruesomely treated. For this, let us stand in prayer to seek justice and vengeance for all gruesomely murdered that day.
“We will lift our hands and cry out our hearts to the God of vengeance to avenge the blood of these innocent Nigerian youths, bring to book every culprit involved in the massacre, and every prayer made for this cause will be answered speedily in Jesus name.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has insisted that no evidence of lives lost has been documented after a year.
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Faith Oyedepo, the wife of General Overseer of Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has said God will avenge the death of innocent Nigerians killed during the #EndSARS protest last year.
Oyedepo joined other Nigerians in remembering the sad event which took place at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, while calling for prayers for justice.
She added that many Nigerians were still being brutalised and harassed.
On her verified Facebook page, Oyedepo wrote, “Wow. One year has gone by since the Lekki massacre occurred. Like yesterday, the pains and horror of that fateful night remain fresh in our minds.
“Sadly, justice is yet to be done and no one brought to book yet; plus so many more have been and are still being gruesomely treated. For this, let us stand in prayer to seek justice and vengeance for all gruesomely murdered that day.
“We will lift our hands and cry out our hearts to the God of vengeance to avenge the blood of these innocent Nigerian youths, bring to book every culprit involved in the massacre, and every prayer made for this cause will be answered speedily in Jesus name.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has insisted that no evidence of lives lost has been documented after a year.
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Tiwa Savage, embattled Nigerian singer, has reignited the debate on “who ordered the shooting of protesters at the Lekki tollgate last year” in a short song to commemorate the first #EndSARS anniversary.
The singer, who became a trending topic earlier in the week over an alleged sex tape, called on the Nigerian authorities in the short song to reveal who ordered the shooting of protesters.
“Don’t end our lives… We will not forget, this is not the end. Who gave the order, who gave the order? We’ll not forget…,” she could be heard singing.
She also accompanied the video with a terse post which read: “Who? 20.10.20”
Nigerian soldiers had on October 20, 2021 opened fire on the protesters, who had converged at the Lekki Toll Gate to protest against police brutality.
The incident triggered a global outrage, with calls for justice echoing from different parts of the world.
It was gathered that before the shooting started, some officials uninstalled the Closed Circuit Television cameras in the area.
The electricity at the protest area was also disconnected to prevent demonstrators from filming the attack.
Minutes later, heavily armed Nigerian Army personnel moved into the scene to complete the plan.
By the time the sounds of their guns died down, dozens of protesters had been allegedly killed.
Tiwa Savage, embattled Nigerian singer, has reignited the debate on “who ordered the shooting of protesters at the Lekki tollgate last year” in a short song to commemorate the first #EndSARS anniversary.
The singer, who became a trending topic earlier in the week over an alleged sex tape, called on the Nigerian authorities in the short song to reveal who ordered the shooting of protesters.
“Don’t end our lives… We will not forget, this is not the end. Who gave the order, who gave the order? We’ll not forget…,” she could be heard singing.
She also accompanied the video with a terse post which read: “Who? 20.10.20”
Nigerian soldiers had on October 20, 2021 opened fire on the protesters, who had converged at the Lekki Toll Gate to protest against police brutality.
The incident triggered a global outrage, with calls for justice echoing from different parts of the world.
It was gathered that before the shooting started, some officials uninstalled the Closed Circuit Television cameras in the area.
The electricity at the protest area was also disconnected to prevent demonstrators from filming the attack.
Minutes later, heavily armed Nigerian Army personnel moved into the scene to complete the plan.
By the time the sounds of their guns died down, dozens of protesters had been allegedly killed.
Tiwa Savage, embattled Nigerian singer, has reignited the debate on “who ordered the shooting of protesters at the Lekki tollgate last year” in a short song to commemorate the first #EndSARS anniversary.
The singer, who became a trending topic earlier in the week over an alleged sex tape, called on the Nigerian authorities in the short song to reveal who ordered the shooting of protesters.
“Don’t end our lives… We will not forget, this is not the end. Who gave the order, who gave the order? We’ll not forget…,” she could be heard singing.
She also accompanied the video with a terse post which read: “Who? 20.10.20”
Nigerian soldiers had on October 20, 2021 opened fire on the protesters, who had converged at the Lekki Toll Gate to protest against police brutality.
The incident triggered a global outrage, with calls for justice echoing from different parts of the world.
It was gathered that before the shooting started, some officials uninstalled the Closed Circuit Television cameras in the area.
The electricity at the protest area was also disconnected to prevent demonstrators from filming the attack.
Minutes later, heavily armed Nigerian Army personnel moved into the scene to complete the plan.
By the time the sounds of their guns died down, dozens of protesters had been allegedly killed.
