Connect with us

Crime

US Court Jails Nigerian Lawyer Over $2.1m Bribe From Chinese Oil Firm

Published

on

By Omoniyi David

A United States court has convicted Paulinus Okoronkwo, a Nigerian lawyer based in Los Angeles, for receiving a $2.1 million bribe from a Chinese oil company to influence crude oil drilling rights in Nigeria.

Okoronkwo, 58, popularly known as “Pollie,” was found guilty on August 29 after a four-day trial in California.

He was convicted on three counts of money laundering, one count of tax evasion, and one count of obstruction of justice.

Prosecutors said Okoronkwo collected the bribe in 2015 while serving as General Manager of the upstream division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), now NNPC Ltd.

The money, wired by Addax Petroleum, a Swiss subsidiary of China’s state-owned Sinopec was disguised as consultancy fees and paid into a trust account under Okoronkwo’s Los Angeles law firm. The court ruled the contract was a sham designed to conceal the bribe.

Investigators revealed that Addax paid the money to secure more favourable financial terms for its multi-billion-dollar drilling operations in Nigeria.

The company allegedly dismissed executives who raised concerns and falsified audit reports to mask the transaction.

Evidence presented in court also showed that in November 2017, Okoronkwo withdrew $983,200 from the illicit funds, further implicating him in the cover-up.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

ICPC Recovers Alleged Wiretapping Devices from El Rufai Home, Secures 14 Day Detention Order

Published

on

By

By Omoniyi David

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission said it recovered suspected wiretapping devices and sensitive security documents from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State governor Nasir el Rufai.

The commission disclosed that a Magistrate Court in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory, granted a 14 day detention order to allow investigators conclude their probe.

According to the agency, electronic equipment capable of intercepting phone conversations was discovered during a search at el Rufai’s Asokoro home. Officials also said documents described as sensitive to national security were recovered.

The ICPC dismissed claims that the former governor was being unlawfully detained or politically targeted, insisting that due process was followed.

In filings before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, the commission urged the court to dismiss el Rufai’s suit alleging violation of his fundamental rights, maintaining that its actions were lawful and necessary for a thorough investigation.

Continue Reading

Crime

Police Arrest Two in Abuja Over Alleged Homicide of 16 Year Old

Published

on

By

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Command, have arrested two suspects over the alleged culpable homicide of a 16 year old boy, Chidera Benjamin, in the Byazhin area of Abuja.

The suspects, identified as Cosmos Okafor, 31, and Okechukwu Wisdom, 17, were arrested following the incident which occurred on Thursday, February 12, 2026, according to the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh.

Adeh said police received a distress call that Benjamin allegedly attacked his mother with a machete during a domestic dispute. Preliminary findings showed the mother had accused him of transferring money from her bank account to his Opay account without her consent.

The boy allegedly became violent during the confrontation and inflicted serious injury on her hand.

The police said two neighbours who witnessed the incident allegedly attacked the teenager in response. He sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

The suspects are in custody and will be charged to court after investigations. The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, urged residents to avoid jungle justice and resolve disputes through lawful means.

Continue Reading

Crime

Poison Allegation: Expect DSS Invitation, NSA Office Replies El-Rufai

Published

on

By

By Patrick Idowu

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has replied former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, over his allegation that the agency imported a toxic chemical from Poland, telling him to expect an invitation from the Department of State Services (DSS), as the matter has been referred for investigation.

El-Rufai had written to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, claiming opposition leaders had information that ONSA procured about 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate, a highly poisonous substance.

He requested clarification on the purpose, supplier, permits, quantity, storage arrangements and regulatory oversight, including involvement of agencies such as NAFDAC and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

In a response released to journalists on Sunday night, ONSA denied the allegation, stating it neither procured nor initiated any process to purchase thallium sulphate and had no intention of doing so.

The letter, signed by Brigadier-General O.M. Adesuyi on behalf of the NSA, said the allegation had been referred to the DSS for a comprehensive investigation, adding that El-Rufai and others with relevant information would be invited to provide evidence.

Continue Reading

Trending

grandpashabetgrandpashabet girişgrandpashabetJojobetgrandpashabetgrandpashabetgrandpashabetgrandpashabetgrandpashabetpusulabetCasibombetpark girişkralbetMariobetMariobetdeneme bonusu veren sitelerdeneme bonusugrandpashabet girişgrandpashabet girişdeneme bonusu veren sitelerdeneme bonusugrandpashabetcasino sitelerijojobetgrandpashabetmarsbahisgrandpashabetdeneme bonusudeneme bonusudeneme bonusu veren sitelergrandpashabet resmi adrestaraftarium24justin tvroyalbetmatadorbetcasibommislibetmarsbahisgrandpashabetcasinowonradissonbetcasibomgrandpashabetgameofbetgrandpashabet girişgrandpashabetholiganbet girişcasibomcratosroyalbet girişholiganbetgameofbetcratosroyalbetgrandpashabet girişgameofbet girişgrandpashabet girişgrandpashabetjojobet resmi adresmatbet girişsekabet girişpusulabet girişcasinomilyonbetsalvadorbetsalvadorpalacebetteosbetbahiscasino1winromabetradissonbetgrandpashabetimajbet girişjojobetonwinligobettipobetcasino sitelerideneme bonusu veren sitelerdeneme bonusucasibomjojobetgrandpashabetholiganbetpusulabetcasibomholiganbethititbetgrandpashabetcasibompusulabetholiganbetjojobetcasibomprimebahisjojobet girişPusulabetPusulabetmeritking girişjojobetcratosroyalbetjojobet girişgrandpashabetpusulabetholiganbetvdcasinosekabetmatbetmarsbahismarsbahisgrandpashabetpusulabetjojobetcasibomvaycasinojojobetimajbettimebetjojobetjojobetbetciodeneme bonusudeneme bonusupasacasinoslot siteleribelugabahiscasinomilyongrandpashabetbetasusgrandpashabetjojobetjojobet vdcasinograndpashabetgrandpashabetgrandpashabet girişjojobet