FBI reportedly arrests newly elected Ogbaru LGA Chairman, Nwadialo, upon arrival in Texas for alleged romance fraud totaling over $3.3million

Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, 40, the newly elected chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State, Nigeria, has been arrested on arrival at an airport in Texas, United States, on charges linked to a multi-million-dollar romance fraud scheme

Nwadialo, indicted in December 2023 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, faces 14 counts of wire fraud.

The defendant allegedly sc3mmed victims out of up to $2 million by posing as a romantic partner deployed in the U.S. military.

Nwadialo was traveling from Nigeria when he was taken into custody. He is now set to be transported to the Western District of Washington for arraignment.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman disclosed the challenges of prosecuting defendants involved in overseas romance scams, stating, “All too often, the defendants in these romance scams are overseas and unreachable by U.S. law enforcement.”

She commended the investigators for their persistence in bringing the defendant to justice. According to the indictment and criminal complaint filed in the case, Nwadialo allegedly defrauded victims of more than $3.3 million.

Nwadialo used various versions of the name ‘Giovanni” when he met his victims online on websites such as Match, Zoosk, and Christian Café. Nwadialo used false images for his profile and typically told the victims that he was in the military and deployed overseas so he could not meet the victims in person.

The House of Representatives member representing Aba North/South of Abia State, Alex Ikwechegh, who made headlines after assaulting Stephen Abuwatseya, an e-hailing driver, in his Abuja residence, is once again in the news.

On Thursday, November 8, in a surprising turn of events, Abuwatseya publicly apologized to the Abia State lawmaker in a video shared on social media.

This development has sparked controversy on social media, with Nigerians voicing their opinions.

Recall that a video had surfaced online showing Ikwechegh assaulting the Bolt driver who had arrived at his Maitama residence in Abuja to deliver a package, sparking outrage from Nigerians.

Investors King reported that in the viral video, Abuwatseya was visibly angered as the lawmaker issued several threats and slapped him repeatedly.

It was gathered that the altercation escalated after the driver asked Ikwechegh to come outside to collect a package of snails intended for delivery.

The police subsequently arrested and arraigned Ikwechegh in court, where he pleaded guilty and was granted bail of N500,000.

Ikwechegh also issued a public apology, acknowledging his actions and expressing regret over his behavior during the incident.

However, in the latest video on Thursday, Abuwatseya apologized for provoking the lawmaker, urging Nigerians to come together to promote unity instead of division.

He stated, “Good day, Nigerians. My name is Stephen Abuwatseya. I had a misunderstanding with Rt. Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh a few days ago. I actually want to apologize to him for whatever I may have said or done to provoke him to that level of anger.

“I want to tell Nigerians that it’s not time for us to start dividing ourselves based on religion, tribes, or regions. We should actually come together, see how we can unite this nation, and move it forward.”

The driver pleaded with Nigerians to forgive and move past the incident, saying, “Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive and forget, as it’s even contained in our Lord’s Prayer, that ‘Lord, please forgive us, as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ For there is no justice without forgiveness. Thank you very much.”

He also expressed gratitude to his family members and everyone who supported him, concluding, “I want to thank all of you. I love you all. Thank you. God bless Nigeria.”

His apology has sparked numerous reactions on social media. While many Nigerians supported his decision to forgive the Abia lawmaker, others criticized the move.

The Lagos Division of the Federal High Court has ordered an interim takeover of Heyden Petroleum Limited owned by the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) had approached the court for the takeover of the company over its alleged bankruptcy.

AMCON had argued that Heyden Petroleum Limited is financially incapacitated to operate, saying that its control of the company would save it from further risk.

Represented by its counsel, O.T. Ogunba, the Assets Management body had filed an ex-parte motion requesting the court’s intervention in the takeover process.

Mr Ogunba explained that the governor’s company and others including Innovative Ventures Limited and Optimum Construction & Property Development Company Limited, which are linked to the case, are currently financially insolvent.

The presiding judge, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa had reviewed the motion and supporting documents.

Expressing satisfaction with AMCON’s arguments, the court granted the prayer.

In his ruling on the case marked AMC/67/2024, Justice Lewis-Allagoa, on October 29, permitted the corporation to take over the companies.

The judge fixed hearing on the substantive suit on November 21.