NIGERIAN MAKES U.S MOST WANTED LIST OVER $1M FRAUD. (PHOTO).

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 Nigerian makes US Most Wanted List over $1m fraud A Nigerian, Onoriode Ezewu, has been named on the United States Department of Labour’s first-ever Most Wanted List over allegations of money laundering involving fraudulent unemployment benefit claims worth more than $1m. The department’s Office of Inspector General unveiled the list on its website on Wednesday, naming 16 fugitives wanted in cases involving alleged fraud, identity theft, money laundering, labour trafficking and other offences. According to the agency, the cases collectively involve more than $55m allegedly stolen from American taxpayers. Ezewu’s profile on the department’s website identifies him as wanted for concealment money laundering and states that he is believed to be residing in Nigeria. “In January 2021, Ezewu was charged with 15 counts of concealment money laundering tied to fraudulent UI and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims filed using stolen identities, in a scheme exceeding $1 million that also t...

OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL FINED NIGERIAN DOCTOR, WIFE WITH $915,000 FINE FOR CUTTING 38 PROTECTED TREES. (PHOTO)


 Oakland City Council fined Nigerian Doctor, Wife with $915,000 Fine for Cutting 38 Protected Trees


The Oakland City Council has voted to impose a fine of $915,135.40 on Nigerian medical doctor Matthew Bernard and his wife, Lynn Warner, for cutting down 38 legally protected trees on and around their property on Claremont Avenue.


The decision followed a public hearing on Tuesday during which more than 20 residents urged the council to strictly enforce the city’s tree protection laws. Residents argued that the trees’ leafy canopies play a vital role in wildfire prevention, public health, and environmental equity.


According to reports, the trees were removed nearly four years ago. Bernard and his wife claimed they acted on the advice of an arborist, describing the trees as “dead, dying, leaning,” or in hazardous condition.


The city, however, rejected their explanation and held them liable for violating Oakland’s tree protection ordinances. In addition to the hefty fine, the council placed a claim on the couple’s property, effectively preventing them from developing or selling the land until the fine is fully paid.


Defending the penalty, community tree specialist Erys Gagnez said large mature trees cannot be easily replaced. 


“Trees of that size are not commercially available for replacement. Even with replanting, it will take decades, even centuries, to restore the ecological and protective functions that were lost,” Gagnez stated. “The scale of the fine reflects this reality.”


The case has drawn attention within the Nigerian diaspora community, with many following the dispute between the couple and Oakland authorities over the protected trees.u

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