By Our Reporter with agency report

South African authorities have extradited six Nigerian men to the United States following allegations that they defrauded more than 100 American women through online romance schemes.

The suspects, who were arrested in South Africa in 2021, are also alleged to have links with the Black Axe organised criminal network.

The South African Police Service disclosed the development in a post on X on Friday, saying its Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, popularly known as the Hawks, worked with INTERPOL South Africa to facilitate the extradition.

“The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the #Hawks, in collaboration with #INTERPOL South Africa, will today facilitate the extradition of six Nigerian nationals to the United States of America,” SAPS said.

The police said the suspects were wanted in the US in connection with allegations of wire fraud and money laundering.

According to SAPS, the men were accused of “allegedly defrauding them of more than R100 million through online romance/love scams.”

The Hawks said the suspects were transferred to United States authorities at Cape Town International Airport on Friday.

Officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service took custody of the suspects following their handover, according to the authorities.

Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, was quoted by Eye Witness News as saying the extradition process involved moving the suspects from a correctional facility in Cape Town to the airport for their transfer to the American agencies.

“Through the coordination of INTERPOL South Africa, the six will today be transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport, where they will be handed over to officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service.”

Mogale said the development underscored the growing collaboration among law enforcement agencies in different countries to tackle organised criminal activities that cross national borders.

“This extradition demonstrates the continued cooperation between South African law enforcement agencies and international law enforcement partners in disrupting transnational organised crime and ensuring that suspects wanted in other jurisdictions face due legal process,” he said.

By Our Reporter

A Delta State High Court has ordered the remand of content creator, Ifeanyi Ogbonna, popularly known as Odogwu Asaba, at the Ogwashi-Uku Maximum Correctional Centre over allegations surrounding the rape and death of 20-year-old Favour Agbro.

The remand order was granted on Friday, September 4, 2026, following the conclusion of investigations into the circumstances surrounding the young woman’s death.

Counsel to Favour’s family, Awele Ideal, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Friday, noting that the results of the autopsy and toxicology examinations had been released to the police investigation team.

“Today the 4/9/2026, The application to remand Mr Ifeanyi Ogbonna (Odogwu Asaba) was heard and granted by the Court. He has now been Remanded at the Ogwashi Uku Maximum Correctional Center (Prison), from there he shall be brought to court until the completion of his trial which now lies with the Ministry of Justice (AG and DPP),” she said.

Ideal explained that the autopsy and toxicology findings, together with other evidence obtained during the investigation, had been compiled into the report prepared for prosecution.

She said she was handling the matter for Favour’s family on a pro bono basis and remained committed to providing the necessary legal and financial assistance to ensure the case received proper attention.

“I still hold the brief of this case for late Favour’s family on Probono basis rendering my legal services and financial support to ensure that no stone is left unturned,” she said.

The lawyer also pledged to provide updates on the proceedings, adding, “Justice is everyone’s business.”

The development was independently confirmed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Media, Ossai Ovie Success.

Ossai, in a Facebook post on Friday, said Ogbonna had been taken to the correctional facility following the court’s decision.

“Court Remands Ifeanyi Ogbonna, ‘Odogwu Asaba,’ Over Late Favour’s Case,” he wrote.

According to him, the remand followed the release of the autopsy and toxicology reports to the police team investigating the matter. He added that the findings and other evidence gathered had been incorporated into the prosecution report.

Ogbonna is expected to remain in custody and be produced before the court as proceedings continue.

The case began attracting public attention following allegations that Ogbonna raped Favour after inviting her to Asaba for a content creation training programme promoted on social media.

Reports indicated that Favour travelled to Asaba following the invitation and was allegedly taken to a hotel, where she claimed she was raped and assaulted.

After returning home, the deceased reportedly informed her parents about the alleged incident and recorded a video in which she recounted her account of what transpired.

She subsequently ingested a toxic substance and died.

Following a petition from Favour’s family, the Delta State Commissioner of Police directed the Effurun Area Command to investigate the allegations, resulting in Ogbonna’s arrest.

Investigators subsequently commenced inquiries into the case, while autopsy and toxicology examinations were carried out to help establish the circumstances surrounding Favour’s death.

With the remand order now granted, the matter is expected to proceed to prosecution under the supervision of the Delta State Ministry of Justice, including the Attorney-General and Director of Public Prosecutions.

Ogbonna remains presumed innocent of the allegations until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(PUNCH)

By Our Reporter

Five men have lost their lives in a road crash involving a Toyota Camry and an Iveco truck along the Badagry Expressway, Lagos.

The fatal accident occurred early Saturday at Sawmill, close to Mowo Bus Stop, prompting an emergency response from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency.

LASEMA said it received a distress call concerning the crash at about 5:16am and dispatched its Dolphin Team from the Igando base to the scene.

According to the agency, responders found a Toyota Camry, with registration number FKJ 630KS, and an Iveco truck, marked T28081 LA, involved in a head-on collision.

A statement issued by LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said preliminary findings attributed the crash to excessive speed and reckless driving by the Camry driver.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the accident was caused by over-speeding and reckless driving on the part of the Toyota Camry driver. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, veered into the opposite lane and had a head-on collision with the oncoming Iveco truck,” the statement read.

The agency said all five occupants of the Camry, who were adult males, died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

“Regrettably, the impact of the collision resulted in the death of five adult males who were occupants of the Toyota Camry. The remains of the victims were carefully recovered, bagged with dignity, and handed over to officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps for further necessary action,” it added.

Responding agencies included the LASEMA Dolphin Team, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Federal Road Safety Corps and officers of the Nigeria Police Force from the Morogbo Division.

Two tow trucks were deployed to remove the damaged vehicles from the expressway. The wrecked vehicles were subsequently taken to the Morogbo Police Division, while the affected section of the road was cleared and reopened to traffic.

Oke-Osanyintolu expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of their souls.

He also advised motorists to avoid speeding, dangerous overtaking and other reckless driving practices, particularly during the early hours of the day.

The LASEMA chief stressed that road safety required the collective responsibility of all road users, while reaffirming the agency’s commitment to rapid emergency intervention and cooperation with other response agencies.