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How Green Space Recyling’s Yemi Megbope Allegedly Dupes Investor Of N42million

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Being a sustainability adherent, Joshua Adegbola participated in a seminar organised by the Lagos Business School in 2019 with the hope that the platform would connect him with the right people and ultimately propel him into realising his lifelong ambition – owning a recycling plant.

 

During the seminar, he met Yemi Megbope, who was equally a recycling enthusiast, and thought his prayer had been answered.

 

Yemi Megbope.

 

After the exchange of ideas and an extensive conversation on recycling, Megbope offered Adegbola a stimulant – an invitation to her recycling plant in Ikorodu, Lagos.

 

“I paid a visit to her factory called Green Space Recycling Services Ltd. in Ikorodu in 2019 and was impressed by what I saw. I became so excited that I expressed my desire to set up something similar to hers,” Adegbola said.

 

The N34 million invoice Megbope sent to Adegbola

 

The PSP operator said he began making payments to Megbope in tranches but was forced to ask for a refund when he noticed a grey area in the agreement they had.

 

“When I started having doubts about all the things she told me, I took my money back from her. However, when she gave me assurances that my funds were safe, I started paying the money back to her in tranches,” Adegbola said.

 

“She said there was no problem and that I should reach out to her anytime I was ready.

 

“I asked her what it would cost me to set up a similar recycling centre, especially in the area of getting all necessary equipment needed for the business, and she said she would find out and get back to me.”

 

Adegbola said he reached out to Megbope in June 2020 when he felt he was ready to start the business.

 

“When I told her I was ready, she gave me a quotation of N29.2 million and a list of the equipment that would be transported to Nigeria from China once I made payment,” Adegbola said.

“When she gave me the list, I told her I personally didn’t have that kind of money but there were people that could borrow me.”

 

The moment Adegbola recommenced payment for the equipment he needed, the narrative changed.

 

“After paying a considerable amount out of the N29.2 million she said the equipment would cost me, she reached out to me and said the dollar exchange rate had changed and that I now had to pay N34 million,” Adegbola said

 

“I couldn’t go back at that point, so I had to make the additional payment she requested.

 

“In February 2021, I completed the payment after I was able to raise the money from friends.

 

“Mogbope told me my equipment would arrive Nigeria in March, 2021.

 

“For me to be able to clear the machines when they eventually arrive the Apapa port, she initially told me, it would cost N4.6 million. But later, she said it would cost me N6.6 million.

 

“At the end of the day, the entire amount I paid to Mogbope was N42,080,000 million. It was also agreed that the equipment I ordered would come in ‘two full containers.’”

 

 

 

WHAT ADEGBOLA ORDERED VERSUS WHAT HE GOT

 

 

 

Yemi Megbope

 

The goods did arrive the Apapa port in March, 2021, as Megbope promised. However, they did not come in ”two full containers” as promised and this sent an immediate signal to Adegbola that something was not right.

 

“When the goods arrived, I noticed they were scattered in six different containers,” the PSP operator said.

 

“I also saw that they loaded other peoples’ goods with mine in all six containers. I quickly sensed that the equipment she had ordered on my behalf was not even up to two containers and that was why she had them scattered in other people’s containers.”

 

Just like he had suspected, when the machines were brought out, Adegbola realised that they were not complete.

 

“Without wasting any further time, I decided to confront her about the incomplete machines that were delivered to me,” Adegbola said.

 

“This was when she said the money I paid her could not buy the whole equipment and that she only later decided to buy the most important ones I would be needing among them.

 

“She added that I should still be able to start my plant with the incomplete but key machines that were delivered to me. She even advised me to buy the missing ones locally.

 

“I became so sad because the equipment Megbope handed over to me were not worth N42 million. I also became quite depressed because I knew I had been defrauded.”

 

THE ACTUAL COST OF THE MACHINES MEGBOPE COLECTED N40M FOR AND STILL DID NOT DELIVER

 

Adegbola told us that he decided to do an independent finding online to know the actual cost of the machine Megbope collected over N40 million for.

 

“Luckily for me, I came in contact with the actual Chinese company that Megbope purchased the equipment from and they sent me all relevant correspondents on the inquiry I made,” Adegbola said.

 

“I then requested for an invoice from the company, and when they sent it, the equipment she collected about $100,000 from me for – because as of then a dollar was still being exchanged for N430 – was less than $25,000!

 

“This meant that the actual cost of all the equipment was within the region of N15 million.

 

“How could she have collected almost triple the actual amount from me and still not deliver all the equipment I needed? I was really mad.”

 

“Despite making over N27 million off me, she still chose not to deliver the complete equipment. Is that not wickedness?”

 

THE MEETING

 

Adegbola told our correspondent that he later scheduled a meeting with Megbope to allow both parties fashion out a solution on the matter.

 

“In the meeting, I told her my findings and the actual amount the Chinese company told me the equipment cost and she gave an excuse that she didn’t go to China herself,” Adegbola said.

 

“She also claimed she made the purchase through an intermediary.

 

“I then asked her, ‘You claimed to have used an intermediary, yet after swindling me this much, you still did not deliver all I requested for?’”

 

Adegbola said he insisted that Megbope get in touch with the intermediary so he could speak to him directly but she became evasive.

 

“I told her I paid for two containers so that my equipment wouldn’t get mixed up with those of others. It was clear she had my equipment scattered in different containers because of the fraud she wanted to perpetrate,” he said.

 

 

 

THE FAILED PROMISES THAT FOLLOWED

 

Adegbola said he had been asking Megbope to deliver the outstanding equipment since March, 2021, but she had continued to give him excuses.

 

In February, he got his lawyer to write her a demand letter.

 

 

 

First Demand Letter Adegbola Wrote to Megbope

 

“In February 2022, I got my lawyer to write her a letter demanding that she address my concern by making the other outstanding equipment available,” Adegbola said.

 

First Demand Letter Adegbola Wrote to Megbope

 

“Her lawyer wrote us back that the reason I did not get all the complete equipment was that there was ‘a mix up from China’. He also said they would be delivered soon. Till date, however, there has been no further response from them.

 

“I later asked her to pay me the equivalent of the outstanding equipment so that I could make the purchase on my own but she still did not respond.”

 

Adegbola said he wrote another letter to Megbope in September but still did not get any favourable response.

 

Message Between Agebola and Megbope

 

“She later sent me a series of WhatsApp messages to ask me where I would want her to deliver the items to. I sent the address to her and to her lawyer also,” Adegbola said.

 

“Till we speak, she still has not delivered them.”

 

Another Demand Letter Written in March

 

Adegbola said he had been getting messages from his creditors to repay the loans he collected from them between 2020 and 2021.

 

I don’t know why she doesn’t want me to flourish,” Adegbola said.

 

“The loan that I secured in order to pay her for the equipment has now risen to over N80 million because of the interest I am supposed to pay on it. It has continued to accumulate interest at a compounding rate.

 

“She has killed my business and I know she is after my life. One of the things that can throw a man into depression is debt, especially when it is an unserviceable debt.

 

“Every day, I wake up, go about my business and come back home to an ever-increasing debt, and this is because Megbope has decided to hold on to what could have brought forth the income I could have used in repaying the debt.

 

“It’s been over 20 months since I made the payment to her.”

 

 

 

REVELATION FROM THE SOURCE

 

Final Demand Notice Issued in October

 

Adegbola said he later reached out to a Chinese contact who also knew about the development.

 

What the Chinese contact revealed to me was disturbing,” Adegbola said.

 

“He told me that Megbope sold my equipment to another person. I also was able to establish that she paid around N15 million for the equipment and kept over N27 million for herself. Yet she did not supply all she was supposed to supply to me.

 

“I challenged her to bring out the list of equipment she ordered and the prices that were given to her by the manufacturers, but she never released the actual price list to me. She only sent me the total sum I was to pay.”

 

Adegbola said that apart from the N27 million fraud, Megbope had also refused to deliver essential machines like a rising tank, three screw loaders and one hot washing tank to him.

 

“It has been a tormenting journey. It is an episode that can make you lose your mind,” the PSP operator said.

 

‘OUR LAWYERS ARE ALREADY SORTING ISSUES OUT’

 

When contacted Megbope for comments on the matter, she said her lawyer was already working with Adegbola’s lawyer to get the issue resolved.

 

“He already told a lawyer to write to me on the issue. I have also contacted mine and they are already exchanging correspondence,” Megbope said.

 

When she was further asked whether she would like to react to the allegation levelled against her, she said she preferred to allow her lawyer do his job.

 

“When lawyers are having conversations, it is always better to allow them do their job. At the end of the day, the legal route is like the ultimate [sic],” she said.

 

After the conversation Megbope had with our reporter, she again reached out to Adegbola in November 2022, promising to deliver the equipment in one week. But she failed again in making good the promise.

 

 

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Malaysia-based Nigerian fraudster jailed in U.S. after extradition for $6.3 million online scheme

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A federal jury in New Haven, Connecticut, convicted a Nigerian national today for operating a business email compromise scheme out of multiple countries, including the United States.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Okechuckwu Valentine Osuji, 39, and his co-conspirators targeted specific individuals and businesses by masquerading as trustworthy entities in electronic communications to obtain money. They utilised unwitting and witting “money mules” to receive fraud proceeds in their bank accounts, and then transferred those funds to accounts under the control of Osuji and his co-conspirators or to convert the stolen proceeds to cash for further transfer.

Over the course of the scheme’s years-long operation, numerous victims were tricked into transferring funds into bank accounts the victims believed were under the control of legitimate recipients of the funds as part of normal business operations, when in reality, the bank accounts were controlled by Osuji and his co-conspirators. As a result of the scheme, losses and intended losses totaled over $6.3 million.

“Osuji led a network of scammers in Malaysia and elsewhere in a sophisticated business email compromise scheme to defraud victims of millions of dollars,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s conviction is another example of how the department’s collaboration with international law enforcement partners enables us to bring cybercriminals to justice in the United States.”

“While it is often difficult to identify and bring to justice cybercriminals operating overseas, today’s verdict demonstrates the expertise of the FBI and Stamford Police in uncovering this criminal network, and the shared commitment of our counterparts in Malaysia to ensure that fraudsters are held accountable in a court of law,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut. “We will continue to work to root out those who engage in internet fraud schemes, no matter where in the world they operate, and achieve justice for victims of these crimes.”

“The defendant perpetrated a complex international business email compromise scheme and laundered millions in stolen proceeds,” said Executive Assistant Director Timothy R. Langan Jr. of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch. “This conviction is the result of hard work and close collaboration between the FBI and our local and international partners. Together, we will work aggressively to bring to justice anyone who engages in fraud and theft against Americans, no matter where they are in the world.”

“Today’s verdict provides a bit of closure to some victims of these often financially crippling crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller of the FBI New Haven Field Office. “It also displays our international ability to bring criminal actors to justice despite the complexities of their crimes. We want to thank all of our law enforcement partners here and abroad, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s office, for their dedication to serving justice.”

The jury convicted Mr Osuji of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24 and faces a mandatory minimum of two years on the identity theft count and a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison on the wire fraud and conspiracy counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Mr Osuji was arrested in Malaysia and extradited to the United States in 2022. His alleged co-conspirator, John Wamuigah, remains in Malaysia and is pending extradition proceedings. Another co-conspirator, Tolulope Bodunde, pleaded guilty on February 16.

The FBI New Haven Field Office and the Stamford Police Department investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, Royal Malaysia Police, and Malaysian Attorney General’s Chambers provided valuable assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Osuji.

Trial Attorney Lydia Lichlyter of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan for the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Doherty for the District of Connecticut provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

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The Worthy Rise Of Tunde Onakoya To International Prominence

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In the world of international sports and competition, few stories resonate as deeply as those of individuals rising from local playgrounds and small beginnings to the zenith of international recognition. This is exactly the story of the young Nigerian global chess champion, Tunde Onakoya, whose journey to becoming a world-renowned chess champion, especially his recent feat of successfully attempting to smash and set a new Guinness World Records has captured the attention and admiration of many around the world. It is not surprising that the internet became awash with his photos.

The humble beginning of Tunde and the game of chess started at Yintab Private Academy (YPA), when he was admitted into JSS 2 on the September 18, 2006. He subsequently joined the YPA Chess Club and was part of YPA’s chess program throughout his time at YPA from 2006 to 2011. Under the guidance of now late Mr. Clement Okoro, a dedicated Chess Teacher and Coach whose passion for chess inspired the likes of Tunde. Though romantically more fanciful to claim self-learning to play from observing at a Barber’s shop, Clement’s dedication to Tunde got his game to blossom over time. While Tunde may have seen a Chess set, Barber’s, more so
in a low-income community play Ayo and draughts – called checkers by Americans. Yintab Private Academy and its owners provided Tunde the opportunity to compete with other children in other schools and gained confidence.

Growing up in the Isale Odo community in Ikorodu, like many kids from humble backgrounds, Tunde started life with deprivations. But fortune and providence came while his mum secured the job of a cleaner at YPA adjacent to TOS Benson Estate, at Oja Bus Stop, Agric, Ikorodu. According to the School’s Managing Director, Mrs. Adejumoke Badejo, Tunde’s mother, Mrs. Taiwo Onakoya as a support staff in the school, took advantage of half tuition fees for staff children to send Tunde through secondary school. The school was very lenient and did
not in any way hamper Tunde’s progress over fees. Tunde being a very diligent and promising
student was appointed Head Prefect (Head Boy) in his final year at Yintab Private Academy.

The game of chess is one that the management of Yintab Private Academy had planned as an important strategic aid for critical thinking for students. The Chairman of YPA, Prof. Babafemi A. Badejo recollects how his secondary school teacher and school father, Mr. Anthony J. Finch had introduced him to the game at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode. Little wonder that he insisted that the game must be woven into the learning at the private school set up by his family.

Furthermore, Prof. Badejo founded the Femi Badejo Foundation, a private, non-profit organization that promoted the knowledge of the game of chess. The foundation considers chess as a tool for helping young people cultivate skills in critical reasoning needed for both academic and social development. From 1999 to 2007, the foundation under the leadership of a former Judge of Ogun state, Justice Solomon Abidoye Olugbemi sponsored series of annual chess tournaments in the under 14 and under 10 categories in conjunction with the Nigerian Chess
Federation (NCF). Upon his appointment as a Judge of Ogun State, he handed over to the Director of the competition, one Mr. Johnson. Justice Solomon Abidoye Olugbemi, recounting some of his experiences while he led the Femi Badejo Foundation in an interview on April 24, 2024, said:

“I was Involved in organizing the chess tournaments for under 14 and 10 children at the time. I worked in conjunction with the Tournament Director, one Mr. Johnson, I cannot remember his surname now. We held the tournaments at the National Stadium, for 7 years, and the 8th one at Yintab School Ikorodu. Funding was done by then Dr. Femi Badejo through his wife, while he was away at the UN as a multilateral diplomat. We did our best to get good participation, invited schools in Lagos state, Ogun state, Oyo state. Some came from as far as Port Harcourt to participate in the competition. tried to come from far places. The tournaments had a lot of impact on the children. A lot of students and schools participated. One school even tried to come very far from the East, but could not make it. The Children were so happy. Apart from the Chess, we also gave them lunch, then later snacks as a result of increasing costs”

Justice Olugbemi recalled how his departure to take up a higher career created a critical leadership vacuum in the Femi Badejo Foundation, that led the founder, to voluntary withdraw funding, which was majorly responsible for the current state of the foundation. There were usually a number of financial demands from federal and state government officials in trying to organize the tournaments, which tended towards corruption. While he successfully talked officials out of breaking the law, his successors did not have the clout to do the same. Prof.
Badejo was not ready to bribe in order to do good after paying for the use of rooms at the National Stadium, renting and fueling generator, etc., and still face demands from officials.

However, it is important to note that the competitions provided the opportunity for Tunde Onakoya to have his first experience of traveling out of Ikorodu and compete with children from high-brow schools.

In a 2022 visit to his alma mata, in a moment of nostalgia and recollection of some of his fondest memories of the school and the Chess program of the school, to an audience of young school boys and girls seated in the same hall he sat a couple of years ago, he jokingly gave his young audience a fine treat of laughter with his “Rice and Chicken Secret confession” As a young boy, he was personally attracted to the Chess Program of the school and the annual Chess Tournament organized by the Femi Badejo Foundation, because of the Rice and Chicken served as Lunch…but eventually picked up interest in the Chess game. Tunde essentially inspired the
students to see that they can achieve anything, become whoever they want to be, just like him irrespective of their backgrounds. He also spoke to the students on the need to understand the real meaning and use of education. Since his last courtesy visit to the School, Yintab Private Academy has rekindled the Chess program back, enjoying the paid services of some of Mr. Tunde’s trained Chess coaches.

The very appreciative mother of our international Chess champion, Mrs. Taiwo Onakoya (a.k.a. Iya Pupa), on a recent visit to the Yintab Private Academy, where she also graciously paid off some outstanding school fees of her son, said in Yoruba language, to a former Head Mistress, of YPA, Ms. Olubunmilola Odesanya, “Ohun ti Tunde ko lati odo Yintab ni a fi n jeun lonii” meaning, it was what Tunde learnt from Yintab, that we are using to eat today.

The achievements of Tunde are very commendable. As Prof. Badejo noted on his Facebook page, Tunde is a pride of Nigeria. How great it would have been if Mr. Clement Okoro who died at a very young age in 2013 were still alive today to see his contribution to lives that Tunde is touching. His achievements are not just personal victories but are also testaments to the quality and impact of the foundational training he received at the Yintab Private Academy.

Beyond teaching children to play chess, Tunde Onakoya has inspired and empowered many children to become better versions of themselves. His efforts have also facilitated access to educational scholarships for children from poor backgrounds. Tunde also does advocacy and some public speaking on exploring creative methods in education, mental development and social projects. From these, he has earned international recognitions, global features, and mentions in international outlets showing how his work continues to transform the lives of many
children.

The story of the physically challenged Ferdinand from Makoko community, who rose to the limelight with his life-changing chess encounter with the governor of Lagos state, is one of the inspiring stories of children whose lives are being transformed by Tunde’s Chess in slums of Africa. A firm believer in the African philosophy of Ubuntu (Being self through other, all for one, one for all), it is not surprising Tunde is investing so much into empowering less privileged children, ensuring they are supported to lead successful and impactful lives.

 

Abraham Ameh, (M.A, Unilag), is Special Adviser, Yintab Strategy Consults, Ikorodu, Lagos

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Land dispute: Police release Ajudua on bail

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A famous city socialite, Fred Ajudua, who was arrested by the police last Wednesday, has been released.

Ajudua’s lawyer, Lekan Ojo, who confirmed his arrest to our correspondent on Saturday said he has been released on bail.

Ojo disclosed that Ajudua was released to him and Senator Ned Nwoko on Saturday evening.

The senior lawyer who said Ajudua was arrested on May 1st,2024, fumed that he was kept in custody by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force without being arraigned in court or released.

He added that as his counsel, he had to fly into Abuja to ensure the rights of his client were protected.

According to him, it is constitutionally wrong to detain a person for more than 48 hours without arraignment or releasing them on bail.

Recall that it was reported that Ajudua was arrested by the police and detained in Abuja, over land fraud and forgery.

Ojo, however, debunked the report and explained that the petitioner exaggerated and blew the dispute between himself and his client out of proportion.

He said the disagreement between Ajudua and the petitioner had nothing to do with fraud or forged documents.

He explained that the arrest was over a land dispute that has no ties with forgery as allegedly reported.

Speaking with The Punch, he said “Yes, Ajudua, was arrested by the police but it has nothing to do with fraud or forgery or fake signature on the land papers or any documents.

“The petitioner only exaggerated the situation. No documents were forged or anything.

“It is purely a land dispute and he’s been detained for four days now which is against the 48-hour constitutional stipulated or allowed.

“I am in Abuja now to fight for his right as his lawyer,” Ojo said.

Confirming Ajudua’s release, he said, “In an alignment of forces, myself and Senator Ned Nwoko are here and he’s just been released on bail to us”.

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