ANOTHER BOMB SCARE HIT ABIA, MILITARY CORDONS OFF AREA.

Residents of Ohafia in Abia State were jolted yesterday by reported discovery of bombs in the community.
This was coming barely three weeks after Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) were discovered at the headquarters of the Living Faith Church (a.k.a Winners Chapel) in Owerri, Imo State and the arrest of 486 Boko Haram suspects at Aro Ngwa Junction and Imo Gate, near Aba.

But when contacted, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Abia State Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna, denied the discovery of any bomb in the area, saying what happened was just a bomb scare.
Reports said at about 9.00a.m. yesterday after some herdsmen had passed the area, between the house of Nigerian Ambassador to Canada, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and that of the member representing Ohafia South in the state House of Assembly, Mba Ukaha, soldiers on duty along the Ebem/Asaga Road received information about some strange objects found in the area.
The soldiers were reported to have, after seeing the objects, alerted their superiors at the 14 Brigade headquarters, Ohafia and after visiting the site, they ordered the cordoning off of the area while vehicles were stopped from plying the Ebem/Asaga Road.
Our source said men of the Bomb Disposal Unit of the Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police in Umuahia were immediately drafted to the area and on their arrival saw one of the bombs allegedly connected to a high tension wire.
The police were said to have detonated the bombs and took them to Umuahia for analysis.
Our source said the bombs discovery caused pandemonium in the area as people who had gone to work, on hearing about the incident, rushed back home.
“It was around 9.30a.m. after I had already gone to work that I received the information and I had to rush back home. On my way back, I stopped to see some of the soldiers at the checkpoint because we are friendly and they confirmed the incident to me and I had to rush home immediately,” the source, who would not want his name in print, said.
“Thereafter, the road was cordoned off for about three hours even after the bomb disposal experts from the police had left with the objects to Umuahia,” the source, who would not want his name in print, said.

Meet The Man Who Performs All Manner Of Miracles Just By Looking At People (PHOTOS)

He doesn’t call himself a healer, guru or teacher. In fact, Braco (pronounced Brah-tzo) leads a pretty normal lifestyle; he smokes, eats meat and lives with his wife and child. But none of that gets in the way of his gazing powers. According to his followers, Braco has connectivity with the Sun, which makes him a conduit for the transmission of divine energy, and a portal to oneness or the quantum field. Apparently, the power of his gaze is so strong that pregnant women are forbidden to attend his gazing events…

That might sound like a whole lot of spiritual mumbo-jumbo to the uninitiated. But it makes perfect sense to those who have been ‘touched’ by Braco’s gaze. He does not speak in public or give interviews; the only time people have heard his ‘loving’ voice is on DVD. Some people say he hasn’t actually spoken to anyone outside his inner circle since 2002. It’s almost as though he might lose his special powers if he utters more words than strictly necessary.

Braco, a former engineer, wasn’t born with his gift; he inherited it from the Serbian master gazer Ivica Prokic, whom he met in Croatia. Prokic is said to have passed on his powers and re-christened him Braco, which means ‘little brother’. After Prokic died, Braco took his new gift, ‘the gaze’, on a tour of the world. He gathered many followers and supporters during his travels, who now vouch for the magical, healing properties of his eyes.

‘The gaze’ can be experienced in various ways – through DVD, via live online sessions, in group events, or through personal meetings. Braco encourages people to bring a photo of their child or a person needing help. The sessions are intended for adults above 18 years of age; children can meet Braco only on his birthday. These sessions can cost anywhere between $3 to $8. There’s expensive merchandise to be purchased as well, like a range of ‘sun jewelry’ featuring Prokic’s symbol – a golden sun with 13 rays. A 14 carat gold version costs around $5,000. 

If the accounts of Braco’s followers are to be believed, the effects of the gaze are pretty strong. Some say that they saw him shape-shift instantly, while others describe it as a ‘shower of golden specks like a confetti’ flowing over their body. A few people were reduced to tears.

Some said that their ‘terrible foot pains’ had vanished and some were grateful for instant relief from a bad toothache. “My back usually really hurts and it hasn’t,” said a recipient of the gaze. Most people said that they felt heat, warmth, a lightness, a tingling sensation, and in some cases, a bubble of love. 

According to one follower, the effects of the gaze extended to his family as well. “The next day I went to see my mom, and I walked into the hospital, and she was walking down the hall on a walker with a nurse on each side. And they’re all going, ‘My God! This was a miracle. She just got up this morning and wanted to walk in and eat breakfast.’ She hadn’t eaten anything but a cup of little something for a month.”

The gaze seems to cure all sorts of ailments and problems. One woman’s adopted daughter reached out to her birth mother, another’s brother recovered from a bone marrow transplant. A woman’s lost granddaughter found her way home. Some were cured of Lyme’s disease, a woman’s ovaries exploded (which was needed for curing her). It seems to work on animals as well, according to a woman who claimed that her mom’s cat was saved.

Although the testimonials are quite strong, there are those who believe that Braco is a fraud. Several questions have been raised about his credibility, and some people wonder if the positive effects of the gaze are merely psychological.

Nigeria Atheist Bala 'Freed From Kano Psychiatric Hospital'

A Nigerian man detained in a hospital psychiatric ward because he did not believe in God has been freed, a humanist charity has said.

Mubarak Bala was released because of a doctors' strike which has seen many patients discharged, the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) said.

He was held against his will for 18 days after his Muslim family committed him to the hospital in Kano, it said.

Northern Nigeria is mainly Muslim and adopted Islamic law in 2000.

The IHEU said Mr Bala, a chemical engineering graduate, was freed on Tuesday but news of his release was not made public until he was in a secure location.

"There are still deep concerns for Mubarak's safety in a part of the country where accusations of 'apostasy' can be deadly," the charity said in a statement.

After the 29-year-old was admitted to a psychiatric ward at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, he sought help from the hospital via email and social media, until his phone was confiscated, according to IHEU.

Mr Bala, who was medicated during his stay, said he had no desire to take further legal action and thanked those who had campaigned for his release, the statement said.

"To those who have made threats against me, I urge you to reason and learn to tolerate opinions other than yours," he is quoted as saying by the charity.

When Mr Bala was first detained IHEU said his family had asked a doctor if he was mentally ill because he had told relatives that he was an atheist.

Despite being told that he was not unwell, Mr Bala's family then went to a second doctor, who declared that his atheism was a side-effect of suffering a personality change, the group said.

"Female rappers are not appreciated in Nigeria"

Popular female rapper, Kelechi Ohia, tells JAYNE AUGOYE why she has been absent from the music scene

 Once upon a time, rapper Kelechi Ohia, aka. Kel, rocked the music scene with her chart-bursting singles, Wa Wa Alright and You too fine. But just when fans looked forward to more exciting hit songs from her, the one-time,Capital Hill Music signee, slowly faded off the scene.

Although she still finds the time to relate with music fans on social media, Kel has not recorded a new song in a long time. When E-Punch reached out to the artiste, she said the hiatus was deliberate and necessary.

She said, “I am working on other projects which are all entertainment related. Although I haven’t recorded any new song lately, I am working to release a come-back album before the year runs out. I have only stepped aside to take care of my education and to sort out pending issues with my former records label. I want to work on my music and myself, physically and mentally. But I am still in touch with the Nigerian music scene. Also, I am a brand ambassador for SOULMATE Industries.”

Although Kel noted that the times have changed since she last released ‘Give It to Me’ alongside W4 about three years ago, she appears to be in no way threatened by the new crop of artistes who are ruling the Nigerian music scene.

She said, “When I eventually return to the music scene, those who appreciate my kind of music will still embrace it. Yes, the industry has changed. So have people’s motives and standard for music changed. Some people have come out with very amazing music that people are accepting these days and others have also come out with very ridiculous and funny music.

“Some people are also accepting the industry that has gone down in some areas. But in terms of international appeal, a lot of artistes have bridged that gap internationally, which is a good thing. Content wise, the music is depleted. Thankfully, people are getting tired of “club songs” with the same old beats and lyrics. Competition is something I don’t focus on. I have never done it and I never will.”

The fact that the rap music scene in Nigeria is being run by the male rappers, with a few female rappers slowly tagging along, is no longer news. Save for the likes of Eva, Sasha P, Muna and Weird MC-who are yet to hold their own competition-wise and a crop of underground acts, it is indeed a tough call for female rappers. While Kel – whose rise to stardom was propelled by her debut album entitled ‘The Investment’ in 2009 – is yet to announce her return.

“Rap will always be a looked down upon as a music genre in Nigeria. The truth is that only two percent of the country’s population really appreciates rap music for what it is. Being a female rapper in Nigeria puts you under so much pressure, but I won’t be switching genres when I return. I just want to release my new album as a surprise. I am not signed on to any records label because I run my own label and won’t be signing on any artiste for now,” she said.

For now the artiste who made her last public outing as the co-host of ‘One Mic Naija’ in February, confessed that she was in love with the music style of fellow rapper cum producer whom she describes as the ‘new’ Jesse Jagz. She seemed to have grown wiser when she spoke about learning some lessons during her absence from the music scene.

She said, “I used to read what was written about me, become saddened and sometimes cry. But I have moved on. Now I read and laugh a lot, shake my head, and sometimes share jokes with friends. I have grown wiser and stronger and more comfortable and honest with who I am. Experience has taught me a lot and I have learnt that nobody will look out for you like you can.

“Right now, I will make music that is raw and real.. I miss performing on stage. Some people said I left because I was broke and started a family somewhere. But they are all wrong. I am dedicated to my work and music for now. I won’t be releasing a double album because that will be too much music at once. Nigerian artistes are doing well especially on the international level.”

Notorious Prisoner Impregnates 4 Prison Guards [PHOTOS]

Maryland gang member, Tavon White, is accused of running a scheme to smuggle contraband into the prison by persuading 13 female prison guards from behind bars. But for four of those women, that persuasion included getting it in…and eventually getting pregnant.

A federal indictment says Tavon White has been charged in the plot to smuggle drugs, cell phones and other contraband into the Baltimore jail and other corrections facilities, along with the prison guards, six of his fellow inmates and five others with gang ties who allegedly operated outside the jails.

The indictment also says the ring involved sex between the inmates and guards, which led to four of the officers becoming pregnant by White, the leader of a jailhouse gang called the Black Guerrilla Family.

White is accused of “corrupting” the female officers through personal and sexual relationships and other bribes. Eventually he convinced them to join his ring.

According to MyFoxDC:

The ring became increasingly brazen and confident over time, with White quoted as saying: “You understand me? This is my jail. I am dead serious, I make every final call in this jail.”

Who the hell does he think he is?

The gang members and the corrections officers have been charged with conspiracy, drug possession and distribution and money laundering.

So a criminal with no money, no freedom, and arguably no looks now has four children on the way and their mothers are all prison guards? This man is a hell of a persuader! SMH!

Ebola Outbreak: West African States Agree Strategy

Health ministers from 11 West African countries have adopted a common strategy to fight a deadly Ebola outbreak in the region.
At an emergency meeting in Ghana, ministers promised better collaboration to fight what has become the world's deadliest outbreak to date.
So far, 759 people have been infected with the virus in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and 467 of them have died.

The two-day meeting was called by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Under the new strategy, the WHO will open a sub-regional control centre in Guinea to co-ordinate technical support.

Keiji Fukuda, the WHO's assistant director-general of health security, said it was "impossible to give a clear answer" on how far the epidemic could spread.

"I certainly expect that we are going to be dealing with this outbreak, minimum, for a few months to several months," he told AFP news agency.

"I really hope to see a turnaround where we begin to see a decrease in cases in the next several weeks."

BBC West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy says educating people rather than closing borders is seen as the most effective way to contain the outbreak.

Cultural practices and traditional beliefs in some areas have hampered public health measures, contributing to the spread of the disease, he adds.

In some cases, mobs have attacked health workers forcing emergency centres to close.

The WHO has already sent more than 150 experts into West Africa over the past few months to try to contain the outbreak.

But it says political commitment is needed from the region itself to ensure this outbreak is stopped soon.

Most of the deaths have been centred in the southern Guekedou region of Guinea, where the outbreak was first reported in February.

But health officials say the region's porous borders have allowed infected people to carry the disease into other countries.

Ebola spreads through contact with an infected person's bodily fluids and there is no vaccine or cure. It kills up to 90% of those infected

'The Girl I Sponsored To School For 8-Years Broke My Heart!'- Yemi Sax Reveals!

 

  Nigerian Saxophonist, and newly married man, Yemi Sax has said he thanks God for his life and the woman God has given to him to be his wife. Recalling what he went through in his last relationship, Yemi said, the lady he practically took care of left him after 8 years. And even when the softsell reporter tried to say may be she left him because she was more educated, Yemi was quick to deny it and said, no it wasn't even that, it was far from it. Lol… His words after the cut.

Before you married your wife, I am sure a woman would have broken your heart; can you tell me about the experience?

Of course I have had a long relationship of like eight years that didn’t even work out. You know after eight years I was heartbroken. A woman I gave my all to decided to mess the privilege and brought my heart to great sorrow. It is not about being a star really, my wife that I married right now had sworn with her life that she world never marry an entertainer but man proposes and God disposes, even she knew that it is by the grace of God that it all happened. Our ways at times are not His ways. It is what God wants because she is a Corporate person, she is in the corporate world. So, she doesn’t even have the time to go out and start dating an entertainer but God called me her husband and she my wife. I give all thanks to God for His benevolence.

The woman that broke your heart after eight years, don’t you think she must have felt that she is more educated than you and maybe saw you as a seep in her life?

I think at first, everything was rosy but you know you can’t pretend for long. She was just there pretending I think it was because of the things she was gaining from me and you know you can’t pretend for long because character is like a flame it will always come out eventually. So, it got to a time that her real personality manifested and that was when the relationship came to an end.

So, you didn’t think it was as a result of personality and educational difference?

Nooo, not at all; she is even somebody I brought up. She is somebody I brushed up, I sent her to school. So, it is not about being more educated than me or not, you understand what I mean. I did everything to make her a success but she chose otherwise.

So, what did that episode teach you about life?

I think it is a great lesson; I will advise people not to expect too much from a fellow human. That is the way you can live long, that is the way you can enjoy life; expect the worst from others. So, that is my advice to people. It is my guiding philosophy as well. I don’t think it is a good thing to put your trust in people. Instead, put your trust in God who never disappoints.

Check Out The Top 10 Richest, Biggest Musicians in 2014

 

1. Beyonce Knowles

The biggest year of Queen B’s career comes courtesy of a massive tour. The superstar singer played 95 shows, bringing in an average $2.4 million per city, according to Pollstar. She also dropped her most innovative album. Titled simply “Beyoncé,” the record hit iTunes in December with barely any publicity; the single “Drunk in Love” has already sold more than 1 million copies. 

2. Dr. Dre

It was a year of superlatives for the legendary producer, thanks to Apple’s $3 billion purchase of Beats, announced in May. His spoils boosted his annual income to an astronomical $620 million — not only the best year of his career and tops among the names on this year’s Celeb 100, but the highest yearly earnings total of any entertainer ever evaluated by FORBES. 

3. Jay Z

The mogul’s $60 million total is his highest since 2010, bolstered by a diverse list of sources. There’s his growing Roc Nation empire; 68 concerts in our scoring period; business ventures ranging from his 40/40 clubs to his D’Ussé cognac; and his latest album, which was certified platinum before it was released due to an agreement with Samsung to buy 1 million copies. For more on Jay Z’s rise, check out Empire State of Mind. 

4. Rihanna

Rihanna may be the perfect embodiment of the modern pop star. The 26-year-old Barbados native churns out radio hits like “We Found Love” and “Diamonds” and collaborates with some of the biggest names in the business like Jay Z and Eminem. But she also uses social media better than almost anyone. Her Twitter and Instagram feeds allow her to connect with her fans in a way that feels honest and unfiltered and they love her for it. Rihanna is the second most-powerful social media user on our list after Justin Bieber. 

5. Katy Perry

Even with a fairly modest touring schedule this year (Perry only played 20 public gigs during our time frame), the pop star is still one of the biggest earners in her field. Perry is unafraid of the shill. She gets paid to endorse brands like CoverGirl and Pop Chips and she has her own fragrance with Coty brands called Killer Queen. Perry also earns big playing private events. What rich kid wouldn’t love Perry to play her Sweet 16? 

6. Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi’s massive touring schedule lands the New Jersey band on our list for the 7th time. With “What About Now,” the band is still selling out arenas all over the word en route to $82 million in earnings. But age may be taking a toll. Drummer Tico Torres was sidelined for part of the tour due to gallbladder surgery and Richie Sambora skipped the tour to take care of personal issues. Lead singer Jon Bon Jovi shows no signs of slowing down. His Soul Foundation branched out into housing this year with a four-story mixed-use development in Philadelphia for formerly homeless people.

7. Bruno Mars 

Mars debuts on our list thanks to a busy touring schedule: the 28-year-old crooner played 118 dates during our time frame. He also managed to squeeze in a performance at the Super Bowl halftime (along with the Red Hot Chili Peppers) that earned him the title of the youngest halftime headliner ever. The performance helped propel sales of his latest album, “Unorthodox Jukebox” to double platinum. For more, check out “The Evolution of Bruno Mars.”

8. Miley Cyrus 

Cyrus returns to the FORBES Celebrity 100 after a four-year absence. The last time she made our list was when she was still rolling in Hannah Montana money. Now the pop singer is all grown up and courting controversy at every turn. Her twerking at the MTV Video Music Awards shocked many people who still see Cyrus as a little girl but the attention helped record sales. Her latest album “Bangerz” has been certified platinum. 

9. Taylor Swift

Only 24 years old, Swift is making her fifth appearance on the FORBES Celebrity 100 with her highest earnings to date: $64 million. Swift’s latest, “Red,” was shut out at the Grammy Awards but the cross-over star was honored with the Pinnacle Award at the latest Country Music Association Awards for her success. The award has only been given to one other person, singer Garth Brooks. Swift also earns with endorsements for Diet Coke, Keds and CoverGirl.

10. Lady Gaga 

Gaga’s earnings continue to fall from her 2011 peak of $90 million Her third studio album, “Artpop,” has failed to produce the same success as her prior efforts and a hip injury side lined part of her world tour. Despite those setbacks, Gaga is still one of the most influential pop stars out there and she ranks 19th on our list. Only 28, she has plenty of time to return to the top 10

DOCTORS’ STRIKE! Patients cry out: We’re dyiny ooooo

Three days into the ongoing strike by public sector doctors, patients abandoned in hospitals nationwide, yesterday, cried out that they were dying slowly, and prayed for God’s intervention to settle the rift between the government and the striking doctors.

While Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State appealed to the doctors to stop using strike as a means of fighting for their demands in the interest of innocent Nigerians, the doctors on their part accussed government of playing hide-and-seek with them.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Health to urgently engage the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, and Ministry of Health with a view to bringing the ongoing industrial action to an end.

Vanguard visited public hospitals in Lagos. From Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH; General Hospital, Gbagada; Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, to Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, were lamentations as patients, who refused to relocate, have been abandoned to their fate.

New patients were denied admission, while elderly ones who refused to leave were offered skeletal services by nurses and other health workers not affected by the strike.

Seeking divine intervention

Some of the patients were seen praying for God’s intervention.

At the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, patients stood in front of Accident and Emergency Unit, praying to God to touch the heart of both government and the striking doctors.

One said: “Our God in heaven, listen to our cry and come to our aid. Arrest the heart of doctors and government to end the strike. We are dying slowly on daily basis.”

At other wards, some patients that spoke to Vanguard insisted that whether the strike continued or not, they had nowhere else to seek medical attention.

They claimed their medical needs were peculiar and could not easily be handled at private hospitals.

One of them, who identified himself as Clement Odia, and had been on admission since January, said he was not in a hurry to relocate to any private hospital for financial reason.

‘Am going nowhere’

He said: “I came here since January because of my broken hand. You do not expect me to leave now because I am almost healed. If I have to go to private clinic, where is the money? Also, they may not be able to take care of my situation, so I am staying here.”

Another patient, who spoke on condition of anonymity, accused doctors of aggravating his pain.

He said: “I know if government answers them, in another six months same doctors will ask for more allowances. No doctor has attended to me since yesterday.”

Source: vanguardngr

BRT Bus Kills Soldier, Colleagues Unleash Terror On Drivers, Set BRT Buses On Fire In Lagos (Photo)

 

Soldiers are on rampage at the Obanikoro area of the ever-busy Ikorodu expressway in Lagos, maiming people and physically destroying BRT buses. According to report, one of the BRT buses that rides on a dedicated lane hit a soldier, and his fellow soldiers decided to take the law into their hands. 

FIFA Threatens to Ban Nigeria From International Football.(See Why)

 

 

Sepp Blatter the President of world football governing body FIFA, has warned that Nigeria is at risk of getting an international ban due to government's direct interference after a court sacked the football federation's executive committee. 

The Nigerian sports minister Tammy Danagogo, yesterday Thursday July 3rd, appointed Mr. Lawrence Katiken as sole adminstrator of the NFF. Danagogo acted after a high court sitting in Plateau State granted an injunction stopping elected NFF president Aminu Maigari, his executive committee and the NFF congress from office, which implys a direct interference by government in football, which is against FIFA's regulations.

Nigerian Big Boy jailed for 8yrs in the UK for scamming pensioners with fake lottery (See his lavish lifestyle)

 

 

According To UK's Daily Mail Nigerian man named Frank Onyeachonam,  'Fizzy' because of his love of champagne has been jailed for eight years for conning vulnerable pensioners out of their life savings. 

Frank Onyeachonam ran the UK end of global lottery scam that was orchestrated from his native Nigeria for seven years to fund his lavish millionaire’s lifestyle. 

It involved hundreds of perpetrators in several countries, detectives say.

In the UK, 38-year-old Onyeachonam conned pensioners out of sums from £2,000 to £600,000, deliberately targeting his victims because they were potentially vulnerable to his tactics. Continue...

While he bled them of their life savings, Onyeachonam enjoyed a life of fast cars, champagne and designer clothes.

Pictures he posted on Facebook show he spent the cash on Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Armani designer clothes, Rolex watches, Porsches and Maseratis. 

He even stuck wads of what look like £50 notes in his Buzz Lightyear toy. 

Onyeachonam, of Canning Town, east London, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of conspiracy to defraud following a three-week trial.

Lawrencia Emenyonu, 38, and Bernard Armah, 51, both of Wood Green, north London, were also found guilty of money laundering. All three denied the charges.

Emenyonu was jailed for 18 months while her partner Armah received an eight-month term. 

Judge Rebecca Poulet QC, said there had been 'some very serious outcomes' for the victims caught up in the scam.

She told married father-of-two Onyeachonam: 'I judge your culpability to be very high. This was a very well thought out operation, sophisticated in both its planning and its operation.

'Mr Onyeachonam, you targeted these individuals because they were elderly and likely to agree and be tricked by this scam.'

This was demonstrated in the fraudster’s own notes in which he described them as 'crippled, old or poor', she said.

One of the Rolex watches Onyeachonam allegedly spent the money on

Lavish lifestyle: A property in Nigeria belonging to fraudster Frank Onyeachonam who has been jailed for eight years at the Old Bailey

A regular in members' clubs Onyeachonam's favourite drink was Ace of Spades champagne (pictured in the door) costing between £300 and £500 a bottle. His fridge was also stacked with Dom Pérignon (top shelf left) and Moët & Chandon (middle shelf)

The harm that was caused to these people could not just be calculated in financial terms but also on the 'dreadful impact ' on their lives, mental capacity and relationships with loved-ones.

The judge went on: 'You contested the case in the face of powerful evidence. You demonstrated the arrogance that you must have carried with you throughout this fraud by continuing after you knew that the police had raided your premises.'

The ruse - known as an 'advance fee' fraud - saw Onyeachonam send victims emails claiming they had won millions of pounds on a non-existent Australian lottery and requesting a charge to release their winnings.

He even stuck wads of what look like £50 notes in his Buzz Lightyear toy

Onyeachonam spent the cash on Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Armani designer clothes, Rolex watches, Porches and Maseratis

 Onyeachonam was seen as the key figure in the UK but police suspect a criminal network was in place in several countries around the world

When they raided his luxury apartment in Canary Wharf police discovered an 'Aladdin’s cave' of evidence pointing to an advanced fee scam 

Investigators traced 14 victims - mainly from the U.S. but including one from Britain - who were defrauded of a total of around £900,000.

But detectives believe this is the 'tip of the iceberg' with evidence suggesting there may have been as many as 400 victims and the sum may be as high as £30 million.

Onyeachonam was seen as the key figure in the UK but police suspect a criminal network was in place in several countries around the world. Authorities found an alleged co-conspirator abroad had an email containing the details of more than 100,000 potential victims.

Detectives believe this is the 'tip of the iceberg' with evidence suggesting there may have been as many as 400 victims and the sum may be as high as £30 million

The defendant was thought to have started working on the scam almost immediately after he arrived in the UK from Nigeria in 2005, and was said to have carried on into 2012 while he was on bail following his arrest the year before.

His crimes were uncovered in a three-year operation led by the National Crime Agency with assistance from the Postal Inspection Service and Internal Revenue Service in the US.

When they raided his luxury apartment in Canary Wharf police discovered an 'Aladdin’s cave' of evidence pointing to an advanced fee scam.

Among 200 exhibits were notebooks containing the names, addresses, cash tallies and other personal details relating to 406 people. Police estimate that the fraud is likely to have run to at least £5 million and possibly as high as £30 million if all those in the notebooks suffered losses.

Onyeachonam, at his London apartment in Canary Wharf, overlooking the Millennium Dome

Partners in crime: Bernard Armah and Lawrencia Emenyonu who were jailed for their part in a scam involving fraudster Frank Onyeachonam

Steve Brown, senior officer in the NCA’s cyber crime unit, said the majority of Onyeachonam’s victims were from America.

He is thought to have selected his targets from a database known among fraudsters as a 'suckers list', which includes people who are believed to be susceptible to the tactics.

Mr Brown said: 'Victims were sent an email from an alias used by Onyeachonam saying they had won an Australian lottery. They would be directed to ring him and he would say ‘if you send me money I will then release your lottery funds’.'

The lottery ‘winnings’ ranged from £2 million to £9 million and once they sent on cash victims were 'hooked' into the 'unrelenting' scam, he said.

He added: 'Once they’ve got their claws into someone they won’t stop. As long as they keep sending them money they will keep going until there’s nothing left.'

Onyeachonam, 38, of Canning Town, east London, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of conspiracy to defraud

Using the alias Dr Jeff Lloyds, Onyeachonam built up a rapport with his victims and continued extracting money from some for as long as seven years.

In order to make the required payments several victims took out high interest loans, forcing them to come out of retirement to repay the debts.

Some of those exploited by Onyeachonam suffered the added trauma of falling under suspicion themselves as they were used as 'pawns' in the criminal network to launder the proceeds of the fraud by sending on money from other victims or setting up business accounts.

Mr Brown said the scam had made a 'mental wreck' of victims, 'hammering' their life’s savings, forcing them to lose their homes and leaving them isolated from their friends and families.

Emails showed victims pleaded with Onyeachonam to send them money to pay for healthcare, while some died before he could be brought to justice.

The British victim was left with debts of £90,000 and was forced to sell her home, move into rented accommodation and return to work in an attempt to stave off bankruptcy.

An American victim lost her dream home and she no longer speaks to her sister or friend.

She described how the scam made her feel like she had been 'raped over and over again'.

While he left a trail of destitution and devastation in his wake, Onyeachonam enjoyed the high life from the fruits of his deception.

Mr Brown said he lived a 'cash rich' lifestyle, earning the nickname 'Fizzy' for his taste for expensive champagne. Photographs show him surrounded by cash and bubbly in nightclubs.

His car collection included Porsches and Maseratis while his Thames-side flat was full of luxury brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton when it was searched by police.

Onyeachonam was the key figure as far as the 'UK nexus' was concerned but detectives believe this was part of an international enterprise.

The alleged mastermind or 'chairman' of the network is based in Nigerian capital Lagos and he is currently under investigation by authorities there.

Asked how many people were working on the global scam, Mr Brown said: 'Name a country and there seems to be a connection. It’s been almost impossible for us to track everybody down. They’ve all got responsibility for their own country.'

The prosecution has moved for a confiscation hearing for Onyeachonam.