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Nigerian PhD student arrested over alleged $1m fraud, romance scam

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested a Nigerian national, Mercy Ojedeji, 24, for orchestrating a complex fraud scheme involving forged academic documents, romance scams, and immigration violations that prosecutors say aimed to defraud victims of over $1 million.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ojedeji used forged transcripts, recommendation letters, a résumé, and an English proficiency report to gain admission into a PhD program in Chemistry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in Fall 2023.

His fraudulent application secured him a full tuition waiver valued at $49,000, along with stipends and other academic benefits.

“Mr. Ojedeji built a false academic profile to deceive a respected institution and gain financial benefits under false pretenses,” said the U.S. Attorney’s Office in a statement released Thursday, April 10.

Authorities say Ojedeji opened a bank account with the forged documents but soon stopped attending classes, failed to fulfill assistantship duties, and did not join any research group.

His behavior led to his expulsion from the university in February 2024 and the revocation of his student visa.

The investigation into Ojedeji began after FBI agents received numerous complaints from victims of romance scams.

Those complaints led agents to a residence connected to Ojedeji’s girlfriend, which was allegedly used to receive proceeds from the scams, including cash and gift cards.

“Between December 19, 2023, and January 4, 2024, agents tracked 35 Express Mail packages to the address.

“Further investigation uncovered that a total of 193 packages had been delivered to the home during the course of Ojedeji’s relationship with the woman,” the FBI reported.

Following a court-approved search of the residence, Ojedeji was arrested and charged with wire fraud and using forged immigration documents.

He has since pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis.

“Ojedeji’s fraud extended beyond academic deception it was a multi-layered scheme that targeted both institutions and individuals,” prosecutors said.

The Nigerian national now faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

Sentencing is scheduled to take place in the coming months.

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“It took me getting married and giving birth to realise marriage benefits men more” — Woman shares emotional thoughts

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A woman has stirred serious conversations online after opening up about how marriage and motherhood changed her perspective on life.

In a heartfelt reflection, she said it was only after getting married and giving birth that she began questioning who marriage truly benefits.

According to her, women often carry the heavier load — emotionally, physically, and mentally.

She explained that marriage can make women feel like tools, responsible for cooking, cleaning, caring for the home, and even contributing financially, while still bearing the full weight of pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare.

She questioned why something described as a “blessing” should come with so much pain, stress, sleepless nights, and emotional strain for women.

In her words, childbirth comes with intense pain, followed by years of responsibility that largely fall on the woman, while many men continue life almost unchanged.

She admitted she never strongly pushed for marriage herself and only went along with it after family pressure. It was the lived experience — not theory — that opened her eyes.

While she made it clear that she loves her son deeply and finds joy in him, she said motherhood also forced her to confront uncomfortable truths about expectations placed on women.

📹: TT/mummychika1

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSP0XSnjAvd/?igsh=MTd3ZzdlbWI0dHV1Nw==

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Private jet crash lands at Kano airport

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A jet operated by Flybird Airlines has crash-landed at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, causing panic among airport users and sending shockwaves through the aviation community.

An eyewitness stated that the aircraft, which arrived from Abuja, was carrying 11 occupants, including three crew members, when the incident occurred at about 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

According to the accounts, the jet experienced difficulties on landing and crash-landed on the runway, leading to tense moments as passengers were quickly evacuated from the aircraft.

All occupants were safely evacuated, with no immediate reports of injuries or casualties.

Airport authorities were said to have promptly secured the scene, while emergency response teams were deployed to prevent further danger and ensure the safety of passengers and airport personnel.

Operations around the affected area were temporarily restricted as officials began preliminary assessments.

 

As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the crash-landing had not been officially determined, while aviation authorities were expected to commence a full investigation into the incident.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSP6bFqjC2v/?igsh=MWQ1bmk0NTI2Zng2

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One of the gunmen who opened fire on innocent civilians observing Hanukkah at Bondi Beach has been identified as Naveed Akram.

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One of the gunmen who opened fire on innocent civilians observing Hanukkah at Bondi Beach has been identified as Naveed Akram.

On of the suspects was disarmed by a bystander and it’s been gathered that the police have arrested one of the suspects.

NB: This page does not support violence and this is just a news report for awareness.

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