NAIJAFEED

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Nigerian native Adekunle Adetiloye given 18 years in jail for one of the most sophisticated fraud schemes in U.S. history

He was unemployed and receiving welfare, but Adekunle Adetiloye was somehow still living lavishly, complete with a Range Rover vehicle, extended trips to England and an expensive condominium.

That alone piqued authorities' interest, but then there were two credit cards tucked away in his wallet that seemed to confirm suspicions that the Nigerian-born Adetiloye, a Canadian citizen, was up to something nefarious. The pieces of plastic each bore different names — Donald Douglas and Vincent Andriole — and helped authorities prosecute a case they describe as one of the largest high-tech bank robberies in U.S. history.

"Characterizing this fraud scheme as massive, if anything, is an understatement," Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick Chase from North Dakota said in court documents.

Adetiloye, 40, was sentenced Monday to nearly 18 years in prison on fraud charges. He was convicted of mail fraud, but authorities believe he masterminded a scheme to open nearly 600 fraudulent bank accounts and bilk 22 major banks out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Federal prosecutor Nick Chase said during the sentencing hearing in North Dakota that Adetiloye had an "insatiable hunger for other people's money."

U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson handed down a 214-month prison term and scheduled a Feb. 15 hearing to discuss returning the nearly $1.5 million in losses to credit card companies and banks.

Defense attorney Richard Henderson had asked for a sentence of fewer than 16 years. Henderson said any prison time for his client, a native of Nigeria, is more difficult than it would be for American citizens because he has no family in the United States.

Investigators' efforts to deconstruct the multifarious case are laid out in the nearly 12,000 pages of court documents filed by lawyers in federal court.

Greg Krier, lead credit card fraud investigator for U.S. Bank, testified that it was the most complex case he had ever seen. His company, which has its own fraud unit, launched special training sessions focusing on the case in hopes of catching the culprits.

The case wound up in North Dakota after U.S. Bank's customer service center in Fargo intercepted calls by Adetiloye and others. The complexity of the scheme, which took five years to investigate and litigate, was highlighted in a sentencing phase that has lasted nearly a year and included numerous hearings and briefings.

The lead investigator, one of 25 people who worked on the case, put in 2,000 hours, authorities said.

Defense attorneys had argued that their client, the only person charged in the case, was a "marginal and minimal participant" whose role was to handle mail and withdraw money from ATMs. The government and the judge have said otherwise.

Investigators said the operation accessed information of nearly 16,000 people, about 500 of whom had their identities stolen for the purpose of obtaining credit cards. It's alleged that more than 100 commercial mailboxes were opened under false or stolen identities.

The government said Adetiloye went so far as to mask his handwriting after a judge ordered a test of his calligraphy

Erickson, the federal judge, said in court documents ahead of the sentencing that the evidence "indisputably demonstrates" that Adetiloye was a leader or organizer of the scheme. The judge has calculated losses to banks at about $1.5 million, but said it could have been as high as $5 million if credit limits had been maxed out.

The trauma cannot be measured, Erickson said.

"The non-monetary harm to the victims was substantial," the judge wrote. "They lost sleep, they lost time with their families, they lost time at work, and they lost their sense of security. Some victims spent hours trying to reclaim their credit record and their identities."

Court documents show that U.S. Bank suffered the most number of tainted accounts, at 130, for a total loss of about $76,000. The companies alleged to have lost the most money were Citibank, at about $271,000, and Discover, at about $248,000.

Brett Bogan, the security investigations manager at Reed Elsevier, the parent company of LexisNexis and ChoicePoint, told the court that data breaches of this type are extremely rare and knew of only one other case like it. He said the company sent out notices to more than 32,000 people whose personal information was compromised by the scheme.

"With their combined extensive and nationwide perspective, those entities place this fraud scheme at or near the top of their historical lists in terms of size and complexity," Chase said in court documents.

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Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and Afro beat musician Femi Kuti reacted to Boko Haram attacks.

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Death toll in Boko Haram Kano attack rises to 215

The death toll arising from the multiple explosions that rocked Kano metropolis last Friday has reportedly hit 215 counting still goes on, with several other victims lying critically injured in various hospitals, LEADERSHIP SUNDAY findings have shown.

LEADERSHIP SUNDAY had exclusively reported in August 2011, about a planned attack on the ancient city by the Boko Haram sect. The sect had sent a letter to the Kano State governor, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, warning them that they were prepared to launch an attack on the city.

The letter which was signed by the sect's spokesman, Abu Zaid, claimed that the Kano State government was conniving with security agents and some district heads, to arrest their members. The sect who demanded the immediate release of their members, also threatened to make Kano State more ungovernable than Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and hot bed of the sect's attacks.

Our correspondent reports that the mortuary of the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital has recorded the highest number of dead bodies followed closely by that of the Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital all in Kano metropolis. Other notable hospitals where dead bodies have been deposited are Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Sir Muhammadu Sanusi Hospital.

It was learnt that more than 95 percent of the dead bodies were removed from the streets yesterday morning as people were afraid of venturing out of their homes, owing to the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state after the explosions.

An official of the Red Cross Society who craved for anonymity put the death figure at 121. Effort to speak with the Kano coordinator of the society, Musa Abdullahi, failed as he refused to respond to our reporter's several calls.

Kano police command refused to speak on the death casualties. But Executive Secretary of the state Hospital Management Board, Dr Bello Umar Dikko could only confirm to LEADERSHIP the death of 20 persons with 40 injured.

"We have recorded 40 injured and up till now we can't ascertain the actual number of those that died as we are still conducting body count. We have 20 dead bodies so far.

"Due to the 24-hour curfew, there is panic and pandemonium and so people are afraid to collect dead bodies from the streets. It is therefore premature to say how many people have died. The victims died of gunshot, burns and stampedes", he said.

Bombai area, which houses the headquarters of the state police command, police barracks and official residence of AIG Zone One of the Nigeria Police Force, recorded the highest casualties because of the intense encounter between the police and Boko Haram members who had claimed responsibility for the Friday's deadly onslaught on the metropolis.

A resident of the Bompai area, for example, said he saw five dead bodies right in front of Pink Peacock Chinese Restaurant on Umaru Babura Road while another resident around the place claimed to have seen seven corpses near the official residence of AIG Zone One of the Nigeria Police Force at St. Louis Avenue.

A female police source said she saw many corpses being evacuated from the Bompai police barracks to various hospitals. An assistant Inspector of Police was killed in the compound while another officer was killed inside a toilet. The female police personnel also said they took cover in one corner within the barracks not knowing the place was so crowded with dead persons, saying the entire barracks was thrown into confusion as almost every person was mourning the loss of his or her loved ones.

It was learnt that the high casualties inside the barracks followed another onslaught on the police personnel and their families in the night by Boko Haram members who were said to have worn police uniforms to gain easy access into the huge compound.

A resident of Tudun Wada area that shares boundary with the barracks said the death toll recorded as at yesterday morning rose to more than 50, saying most of those killed were passersby.

Failed attempt To Abduct AIG Family members

An eye-witness told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY how the sect members engaged security operatives in a shoot-out after their attempt to take them into hostage, the family members of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, (AIG), Zone One, Abubakar Muhammed. The AIG's Personal Assistant PA and his driver were killed in the shoot-out.

It was revealed that the Boko Haram members, disguised as police officers had visited the AIG's residence and requested to take the family members into protective custody following the confusion in the city. The security men at the gate of the AIG were said to have smelt a rat and refused them entrance.

"As they came to the house, they were all in police uniform but one of the security guards suspected their plan and declined to cooperate with them. They said they came to the residence and wanted to go along with the family members on the orders of the AIG and said they would give them adequate protection", our source disclosed.

The security guards were said to have objected to their request insisting on hearing directly from the AIG. "As the guards refused to cave in, one of the Boko Haram members said let one of the security men speak with the AIG to get them convinced but they refused the entreatise," the source added.

LEADERSHIP SUNDAY learnt that while the disagreement was going on, the sect members suddenly brought out their weapons and started shooting at the guards. The Personal Assistant and the AIG's driver who ran from the AIG's office to give cover to his family were killed. Two other security men were also killed during the shoot-out.

AIG ESCAPED IN Keke-NAPEP

When the merchants of death came calling at the headquarters of the Zone One of the Nigeria Police Force last Friday, they knew that the AIG in-charge was right in his office within the premises. As the bomb exploded and the massive building began to shake, the AIG's orderly swiftly moved in and grabbed his boss. They practically jumped down from the one storey building and scaled the fence from behind.

An eyewitness told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that the AIG's shirt was bloodied.

"Once they scaled the fence, they ran to a tarred road that passed by the office from behind and flagged down a Keke-NAPEP, popularly called A Daidaita Sahu in Kano.

By then, about five other officers had joined them, and they all squeezed into the small vehicle and drove straight to the Police Divisional Office in Sharada. No sooner had they arrived than they were informed that the police station could also be targeted by Boko Haram, and they left for the residence of a retired police commissioner - a member of Kano royal family, Alhaji S. K Bayero. It was there that first aid was administered the AIG and the other officers that went with him, after which they were ferried to safety.

BOKO HARAM DISTRIBUTES FLYERS

Many Kano residents spoken to by LEADERSHIP SUNDAY confirmed that on their way to various mosques to pray, about three hours to the first attack on the AIG's office on Friday, they saw flyers on the ground. Alhaji Muhammadu S. Gabari told this newspaper that on his way to Al-Furqan Mosque on Alu Avenue, he saw a flyer on the ground.

"I picked it and saw that it was written in Hausa. The authors claimed to be Jama'atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda'awati Wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram, and in it, they recounted the efforts they made to draw the attention of Kano authorities to what they called arbitrary arrests of their members and their threat to attack Kano if nothing was done about it." The source added that though there was nothing in the letter to suggest an attack was in the offing, he expected the security services to intensify on intelligence "which might have averted the disaster that befell the state," he said.

Excerpts From the Boko Haram Letter To Kano People and authorities:

"Everybody knows that a lot of our people were killed in Kano State, especially in Wudil town. We had perfected plans to take revenge but some notable scholars intervened by pleading with us. They also assured that our members would never be persecuted again and we took them by their words. Unfortunately however, about five months ago, security agencies began trailing and arresting our members who are carrying out their legitimate businesses, alleging that they were thieves and armed robbers.

The statement was signed personally by Imam Muhammad Abubakar Shekau, leader of the group.

SAINT LOUIS SECONDARY SCHOOL ALSO ATTACKED

Checks by LEADERSHIP SUNDAY confirmed that among the many targets hit was a famous secondary school on St. Loius Avenue, Bompai GRA, a stone throw from the AIG's residence. They pursued someone they thought was a policeman up to the gates of the school. As it was locked, he scampered out of the vehicle and scaled the fence. But once they arrived, the Boko Harma members bombed the gate and gained entry. They then bombed a hall usually rented by Muslims and Christians in organising social events and razed down the school's store, located within the premises. They killed the only person they sighted in the premises.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday vowed to get to the root of the multiple bomb blasts and acts of violence, saying those behind these acts of terrorism would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

In a statement by his Special Adviser On Media and Publicity, Dr. Rueben Abati, the president expressed his condolences to all victims, including the management and staff of Channels Television, saying he was greatly saddened by the incident which led to the loss of lives of innocent Nigerians.

"As a responsible Government, we will not fold our hands and watch enemies of democracy, for that is what these mindless killers are, perpetrate unprecedented evil in our land. I want to re-assure Nigerians, the international Community, and members of the fourth estate of the realm, who lost one of their colleagues, a reporter with Channels Television, that all those involved in that dastardly act would be made to face the full wrath of the law", Jonathan stated.

In another development, a new and violent chapter was yesterday opened in the political crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa state following the detonation of multiple bombs in some parts of the state capital, including the Peace Park positioned opposite the State Government House and an iron bridge linking the hometown of the former Governor D.S.P Alamieyeseigha with the state capital.

While the authorities of the State Police Command headed by Commissioner Hillary Opara has ruled out the possibility of the involvement of the Boko Haram sect in the bomb explosions, a cross section of residents and politicians viewed the bombing as an off- shoot of the battle of wits between the Governor Timipre Sylva group and the President Goodluck Jonathan faction of the party.

The explosions are coming few days to the tomorrow's presentation of party flag to Hon. Seriake Dickson as the flag-bearer of the party for the February 11th Governorship election in the State by a campaign committee to be led by Vice President, Namadi Sambo.

LEADERSHIP SUNDAY gathered that the explosions, which occurred few minutes from one another, started at about 11pm. One of the bombs, reportedly drilled into a part of the iron bridge, exploded and shook the foundation of most of the buildings along the Tombia roundabout. Clubbers at the popular Camp Murphy bar were thrown into panic and hurried home in fear.

Leadership

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Eight vehicles fully loaded with various improvised explosives have been impounded by the police in Kano State.

The vehicles were found to have been abandoned by their owners.

Another vehicle also loaded with explosives, was impounded along with the owner at Gwauron Dutse in the state capital.

THISDAY in Kano reliably gathered from security sources that the vehicles were said to have been abandoned by their owners since last Friday at various locations within Kano metropolis.

It was learnt that a Honda Civic car was found abandoned close to NNPC Mega Station in Hotoro adjacent to Kano deport with improvised explosives while the second car, a Kia, was discovered at Tula in the suburb of Kano by the eastern by pass.

It was also learnt that the vehicles were discovered and evacuated safely from the area by security agents with the help of residents of the area.

The third car which is a Honda car Brahma series packed with explosives was found abandoned on Sunday at Sheka quarters. It was with the cooperation of the residents of the area who reported the unusual presence of the car since Friday to security agencies who immediately removed the car from the area.

THISDAY also reliably informed by source who pleaded anonymity that the fourth car, a Toyota Camry, was intercepted Monday during security's wait and search at Goron Dutse quarters in Kano city.

When both the car and its driver were impounded, items found in the car were; bullet proof verse, a gun and some chemicals believed to be used in making improvised explosives.

THISDAY efforts to get the police to comment on the discoveries proved abortive as several phone calls made to the Kano police command's PPRO, ASP Magaji Musa Majiya could not go through.

But according to AFP, a senior police officer confirmed the frightening finds.

"We have discovered eight bomb-laden cars in different areas of the city," a senior police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity Monday. "We are still facing serious security threats."

Another car was found filled with explosives outside a government-run fuel station in Kano on Sunday, as President Goodluck Jonathan paid a visit of solidarity to the city.

Meanwhile, special prayers were conducted in various mosques throughout Kano Monday to seek divine intervention in order to prevent recurrence of last Friday's bomb blasts that claimed several lives.

The prayer session conducted at Kano Central mosque was led by the Chief Imam of Kano, Professor Sani Zaharadeen, Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and all ulamas in the state.

"I will pray to God that we should never re-live the catastrophe that resulted in the deaths and maiming in our city," Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso said.

Kano's emir Ado Bayero told the clerics: "I enjoin you to continue praying for peace and stability in our city. I call upon you to use any religious fora to pray for peace in our land."

A purported spokesman for Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying they were in response to a refusal by the authorities to release its members from custody.

Some detainees being held at a police station in Kano were thought to have been freed during Friday's attacks.

Boko Haram is a shadowy group believed to have a number of factions with differing aims, including some with political links and a hard-core Islamist cell.

Jonathan has said some Boko Haram members have infiltrated government -- from the security agencies to the legislature and the executive arm of government.

Senate president David Mark said he and the speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, had ignored security risks to travel to Kano.

"We want to ensure that a few misguided Nigerians who have been led into this action don't take this country hostage... it is not about religion, this affects the entire nation," he said.

However, former president Olusegun Obasanjo sought to downplay the crisis.

"Even though it is a big challenge to the Nigerian people and its government, it is not one that... shakes Nigeria to its foundation," Obasanjo said in Banjul on Sunday.

Relief workers said the death toll from Friday's attacks was at least 166 but a doctor at a major hospital said the toll could soar to 250.

Around 50 people were gathered Monday outside the main hospital's morgue waiting to collect remains of their loved ones for burial.

Lying on a bed in a ward at the hospital with a bullet wound in his leg, tannery worker Monday Joseph, 29, said he was driving home from work with four colleagues when one of the bombs went off.

They abandoned the car and started running.

"The four of them died. I am the only one who survived," he told AFP.

Nigeria's supreme Muslim leader, the Sultan of Sokoto Sa'ad Abubakar, said the attacks were "perhaps the worst in terms of the loss of lives".

"It is evidently clear that Nigeria is passing through a trying moment of general insecurity of overwhelming magnitude," he said.

Most of the recent major attacks have occurred in the northeast of the country, with many taking place despite the state of emergency.

Boko Haram claimed a Christmas Day bombing at a church near the capital Abuja which killed at least 44 people and an August attack against UN headquarters in Abuja that killed 25.

Attacks targeting Christians have given rise to fears of a wider religious conflict in Nigeria, which is roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south.

But attacks blamed on Boko Haram have included a wide range of targets, including Muslims.

This Day

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Monday, January 23, 2012

1,000 Nigerians detained in Chinese prisons

Minister of Youths Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, at the weekend, said there were about 1,000 Nigerian youths detained in various prisons in China for drug-related offences.

Abdullahi, said in Ilorin during a chat with journalists, that he had already written to the government of China for the details of their offences so that the Federal Government could use them as a form of campaign to discourage Nigerian youths from embarking on drug trafficking.

“This is a very serious matter. I have written to the government of China and I am planning to actually travel there on behalf of the Federal Government to have the details of their cases,” he said.

The minister expressed regret that many Nigerian youths who indulged in drug trafficking business in a bid to get rich quick were not always aware of the dire consequences and the risks involved.

According to him, “The risks far outweigh the benefits, in fact there is none. Whoever gets involved will get caught sooner than later and whatever that might have been acquired will go with it. So where is the benefit?”

Abdullahi added: “The only way to good living is to be involved in legitimate business where nobody is running after you for committing an offence. There is nothing like getting rich quick and there is no short cut to it.”

The minister, however, commended the initiative of Lagos State Government where youths and others found guilty of committing certain offences were made to serve the community, instead of sending them to prisons.

“Lagos State is doing great thing in this particular area and I think it should be commended and others should emulate it,” he said.

This Day