News
Romance scam: Table turns against kingpin who swindled US woman of $1.5 (N2.4billion)
Samuel Ugberease, otherwise known as “Putsammy”, “Putput” and “Sammy,” is to have his day with United States authorities following his extradition to the country over multiple cases of romance scams against women in the country.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), who made the revelation said on Thursday that the kingpin was successfully extradited to the USA to face charges “bordering on alleged online romance scams, wire fraud, and related financial crimes.”
Anthony Placid, the force spokesperson, said in a statement on Thursday that police extradited the suspect through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja.
“The suspect, who was based in South Africa prior to his arrest, was extradited on Wednesday, 14th May 2026, following the conclusion of extradition proceedings and coordinated engagements between Nigerian and United States law enforcement authorities,” the statement reads.
Placed said investigations revealed that between 2014 and 2018, the suspect and his accomplices operated a criminal syndicate involved in online romance scams targeting female victims in the US, particularly within the eastern district of North Carolina.
He added that the syndicate reportedly created fake online identities and dating profiles to establish fraudulent emotional relationships with victims before manipulating them into sending large sums of money under false pretences and fabricated emergencies.
“Further investigations established that proceeds of the fraud were laundered through multiple bank accounts used to receive, process, and conceal illicit funds,” the police spokesperson said.
“In one of the reported cases, the suspect was linked to the defrauding of a victim of over One Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($1.5 million USD).
“The fugitive was initially arrested by operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on 14th December 2025 upon his arrival from South Africa, following a INTERPOL Red Notice issued by authorities in the United States.
“Subsequently, extradition proceedings were instituted at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, where the Court granted the application for his extradition in accordance with the provisions of the Extradition Act, CAP E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
Placid reiterated the NPF’s commitment to leveraging INTERPOL tools, international partnerships, and intelligence-led policing to combat cybercrime, financial fraud, and other transnational organised criminal activities.
He also assured both local and international partners of police’s continued cooperation in advancing global security.
Justices Emeka Nwite, and James Kolawole Omotosho, both of the Federal High Court Abuja, are now awaiting the nod of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to move up the judicial ladder to the Court of Appeal after impacting the Nigerian polity quite dramatically.
Nwite sat on the controversial case of Nafiu Bala Gombe against the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in the leadership tussle, which nearly saw the party emersed in crisis that led to its officers derecognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), until recently.
On his part, Omotosho, apart from handling the high-profile case that pitted the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly against led by Martins Emewhule against Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of the state, would also be remembered for the historic decision to slap a life-sentence on Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The pair were among the 12 justices, recommended by the Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Chief Judge of the Federation (CJN) to the appellate court after the 111th Meeting of the National Judicial Council (NJC), the organ for hiring, discipline and promotion of judges in Nigeria.
Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, spokesman of the council disclosed that apart from the pair, Justices Yakubu Mohammed, Abodunde Oluwatoyin and Ajuwa Raphael, Abua Ojie, Ijohor Jennifer, Shuaibu Bala, also benefitted from the exercise.
Others included Buba Njane, Kado Sanusi, Ademola Enikuomehin and
Dadom Veronica, while Christine Ende was recommended for appointment as a Judge of the High Court of Benue State and two others for appointment as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Katsina State.
The recommendations were intended to fill vacancies arising from the elevation and retirement of Judicial Officers across various levels of the Judiciary and to strengthen the capacity of courts for effective justice delivery.
Babalola-Ogedengbe, Deputy Director of Information of the NJC, also announced the extension of the tenure of Justice Ijeoma Agugua as Imo State Acting Chief Judge for a further period of three months with effect from March 26, 2026 to June 26, 2026 to allow for completion of the process for appointing a substantive Chief Judge.
The Council commended Justice Ononeze-Madu for declining to be sworn in contrary to established constitutional procedure, describing the action as a demonstration of institutional integrity and respect for the rule of law.
It reiterated the call on the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to expedite the process of appointment of a substantive Chief Judge in order to ensure stability, safeguard judicial independence, and enhance the effective administration of justice in the State.
On issues of discipline, the NJC rejected appeals filed by eight judges of the Imo State Judiciary seeking a reversal of their compulsory retirement from service over age falsification.
The affected Judges were among 10 Judicial Officers recommended for compulsory retirement at the Council’s 109th meeting held on 25 June
2025.
For Atiku Abubakar, the task of redeeming Nigeria and giving the people the opportunity to reclaim themselves their lives in a thriving nation, are greater than any obstacle along the road of achieving the twin goals.
He made this declaration on Thursday after submitting his nomination form to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) – the seventh time he would be making a go at the nation’s number one job.
Atiku, whose arrival at the ADC secretariat took the toga of a carnival, with a horde of supporters accompanying him, described the development as a decisive step toward restoring prosperity and better days to Nigeria.
Advancing his raison d’etre for making the record attempt, he wrote in his X platform after the event: “The march to restore prosperity and better days to our beloved nation took a firm and decisive step forward today at the National Secretariat of our great party, the African Democratic Congress.
“This is more than a political journey; it is a national movement rooted in hope, renewal, and the collective resolve to save Nigeria from despair. I call on all Nigerians, regardless of region, faith, or background, to join us in this noble cause. Together, we will restore the promise of our nation and bring good times back again.”
It was also a day, Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation also came calling at the same venue for the same purpose, after which he enjoined Nigerians to make the right choice of President this time, using the track-record of each aspirant as a gauge.
After the submission of his form, Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State, also wrote on his X platform: “Today, I submitted my Presidential nomination forms at the ADC Secretariat, officially throwing my hat in the ring to salvage our country, Nigeria. The mission is clear; we will fight to restore dignity to Nigerians, make our country great and respected in the comity of nations, and bring unity, peace, prosperity and progress to our people.”
According to the party, primary elections for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate seats will commence on May 21, 2026, with the elections holding simultaneously at the ward level.
The governorship primaries are scheduled for May 22, 2026, while the presidential primary will take place on May 25, 2026.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has succeeded in leading Nigeria towards emerging as a model for economic transformation in Africa following his far-reaching reforms.
This was the conclusion of Taiwo Oyedele Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, as he weighed in on the President’s pursuit of the economic wellbeing of Nigeria, extolling him for creating increasing investor confidence and expanding opportunities across key sectors of the nation’s economy.
Oyedele, told reporters on the sidelines of the two-day Africa CEO Forum which began in Kigali, Rwanda, on Thursday that although the reforms undertaken by the administration were difficult, they were necessary measures aimed at laying the foundation for long-term economic stability, sustainable growth, and national competitiveness.
Oyedele stressed that Africa’s development conversation has moved beyond rhetoric to practical implementation, with increasing focus on scale, speed, institutional credibility, and sustainable economic transformation.
He noted that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy by population and market opportunities, has demonstrated that bold reforms are achievable and capable of delivering measurable gains when pursued with political will and strategic commitment.
He described President Tinubu as the country’s “chief marketer,” noting that the President has continued to lead high-level engagements aimed at attracting investment into critical sectors including power, mining, port development, and private enterprise.
Oyedele said discussions at the forum centred on mobilising investments, expanding industrial capacity, and supporting private sector growth as part of broader efforts to reposition Nigeria and Africa for inclusive prosperity.
“You know one very exciting thing about Mr President is that he is never tired of marketing Nigeria, he is the chief marketer for the country, and so we had several discussions mostly focusing on economic opportunities how can we mobilise more investment particularly in the area of power and we also had discussions interesting ones around mining as well as opportunities to even support private sectors more businesses.”
He further stated that Nigeria is now telling a more credible economic story backed by concrete reforms and demonstrable leadership, stressing that President Tinubu’s track record and reform agenda have strengthened investor confidence in the country.
The minister also highlighted President Tinubu’s bilateral engagement with the President of Guinea, describing it as a productive discussion focused on regional cooperation, development partnerships, and economic integration.
According to him, President Tinubu commended Guinea’s continued commitment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), despite pressures to withdraw from the regional bloc, describing the move as a demonstration of belief in regional unity and collective progress.
Oyedele noted that both leaders explored opportunities for collaboration in areas such as iron ore development and broader economic partnerships, stressing that African countries stand to achieve more through cooperation and shared development initiatives.
He emphasised the need for African nations to work together in addressing development financing challenges, industrialisation, value addition, poverty reduction, and growth in labour-intensive sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and services.
The minister said leaders participating at the Africa CEO Forum acknowledged that the time for mere declarations has passed, stressing that Africa must now focus on implementation, execution, and building strong institutions capable of driving sustainable growth across the continent.
He stressed that it was a significant moment for Nigeria and Africa, noting that the current generation of leaders has a unique opportunity to shape a stronger and more prosperous future for the continent.
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