Nigerian

Los Angeles Lawyer Convicted of $2.1 Million Bribery Scheme Tied to Nigerian Oil Rights

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Los Angeles, California – A lawyer from the Los Angeles area has been convicted of accepting a $2.1 million bribe while acting as an officer in Nigeria’s state-owned oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The jury found Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo, also known as “Pollie,” guilty on multiple charges, which include transactional money laundering, tax evasion, and obstruction of justice. Okoronkwo, 58, of Valencia, specialized in immigration, family, and personal injury law at an office in Koreatown. Serving as general manager of the upstream division of the NNPC, he was responsible for overseeing the … Read more

California Lawyer Convicted for $2.1 Million Bribery Scheme Tied to Nigerian Oil Rights Negotiations

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A California jury has convicted an immigration and personal injury attorney for accepting a $2.1 million bribe. The case centered on the lawyer’s dealings with a Nigerian public official, in which he was accused of negotiating drilling rights under corrupt circumstances. The jury’s decision marks a significant step in a broader investigation into bribery and corruption. Prosecutors argued that the bribe was offered in exchange for favorable outcomes related to oil drilling, a lucrative endeavor in Nigeria’s energy sector. The attorney’s actions have raised concerns about the integrity of international business practices and the legality … Read more

Prominent Nigerian Lawyer Afe Babalola Drops Libel Suit After Royal Intervention, Opts for Peace Over Litigation

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Lagos, Nigeria – Prominent Nigerian lawyer Afe Babalola has decided to withdraw a libel lawsuit he had filed against Dele Farotimi, a fellow lawyer and civil rights activist. The legal action was initially taken after Farotimi allegedly accused Babalola of corrupt practices including bribing judges. The decision to drop the suit came after the intervention of influential figures including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. A meeting involving the Ooni and other traditional rulers from Ekiti State saw Babalola agree to discontinue the matter, highlighting his respect for Yoruba traditions and the advice from … Read more

Nigerian Lawyer Assaulted During Court Order Execution; Bar Association Blames Speaker’s Aides

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Osogbo, Nigeria — Tensions flared in Osogbo, Osun State, following an alleged attack on a local lawyer by individuals reported to be linked to the state legislature. The Nigerian Bar Association’s Osogbo branch reacted sharply to the incident involving lawyer Muhydeen Yusuf, who reportedly suffered an assault during a legal property evacuation, allegedly in the presence of Adewale Egbedun, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly. Yemi Abiona, the chairman of the Osogbo NBA, accused Speaker Egbedun of instigating the confrontation by verbally harassing the lawyer before the alleged physical attack by his … Read more