NEWS

Wire Fraud: 64-year old Nigerian, Babatunde Martins, residing in Ghana extradited to US

Published

7 years ago

December 13, 2019

A Nigerian citizen identified as Babatunde Martins , residing in Accra, Ghana, has been extradited to Memphis, Tennessee to stand trial for an indictment charging him with wire fraud, money laundering, computer fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee, and Special Agent in Charge M.A. Myers of the FBI’s Memphis Field Office made the announcement.

Martins who is 64 years old, was indicted on August 23rd, 2017 by a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. He was indicted, along with others for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit computer fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Following his extradition, Martins’ initial appearance was made on Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charmiane G.

Claxton for the Western District of Tennessee. The indictment alleges that various Africa-based co-conspirators committed, or caused to be committed, a series of intrusions into the servers and email systems of a Memphis-based real estate company in June and July 2016.

Using sophisticated anonymization techniques, including the use of spoofed email addresses and Virtual Private Networks, the co-conspirators identified large financial transactions, initiated fraudulent email correspondence with relevant business parties and then redirected closing funds through a network of U.S.-based money mules to final destinations in Africa.

Commonly referred to as business-email compromise, or BEC, this aspect of the scheme caused hundreds of thousands in loss to companies and individuals in Memphis. In addition to BEC, the defendant is also charged with perpetrating romance scams, fraudulent-check scams, gold-buying scams, advance-fee scams and credit card scams.

The indictment alleges that the proceeds of these criminal activities, both money and goods, were shipped and/or transferred from the United States to locations in Africa through a complex network of both complicit and unwitting individuals that had been recruited through the variousInternet scams. The defendant is specifically alleged to have owned and operated a company called Afri Ocean LTD that he used in furtherance of these crimes.

The defendant, along with his co-conspirators, is believed to have caused millions in loss to victims across the globe. The DOJ warned that an indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Five other individuals have pleaded guilty to being involved in the scheme. Two others, Olufalojimi Abegunde, 33, and Javier Luis Ramos-Alonso, 30, were convicted in March after a seven-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. Abegunde received a 78-month sentence and Ramos-Alonso received a 31-month sentence for their roles in thescheme. Several individuals remain at large.

Entertainment

G Sound Studio Presents Lagos Next Star Music Festival & Talent Hunt 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

October 12, 2026

Baba Blow

The Nigerian entertainment scene is set for another exciting celebration of music and emerging talent as G Sound Studio presents the Lagos Next Star Music Festival & Talent Hunt 2026, an event designed to discover, showcase, and support the next generation of music stars.

With its focus on discovering talent and providing practical creative opportunities, the Lagos Next Star Music Festival & Talent Hunt 2026 invites aspiring musicians to step forward and showcase what they can offer.

For artists seeking a platform to perform, build connections, and pursue greater recognition, the event could be an opportunity to put their talent in the spotlight.

Interested participants and attendees should contact the organizers directly to confirm registration requirements, prize conditions, and other event details ahead of the festival.

Organized under the theme “Where Talent Meets the Spotlight,” the festival aims to provide aspiring musicians with an opportunity to showcase their abilities, connect with the entertainment community, and take a step toward greater visibility in the Nigerian music industry.

One of the major highlights of the Lagos Next Star Music Festival & Talent Hunt is its talent competition, which offers opportunities for participants to compete for first, second, and third-place prizes.

According to the event promotional materials, winners can look forward to valuable career-support opportunities, including free studio sessions, free music production, free music promotion, and a free video shoot.

These opportunities could help upcoming artists improve their sound, strengthen their musical identity, and gain exposure as they work toward building sustainable music careers.

The event also encourages aspiring performers to take advantage of the platform to demonstrate their creativity, stage presence, originality, and musical potential.

Registration Details and Participationd 👇

Interested talents are invited to register for the competition. The advertised registration fee is ₦10,000.

Prospective participants are encouraged to contact the organizers through the official social media handles or the WhatsApp contact provided on the event flyer to obtain the registration form and confirm the participation requirements.

Registration and enquiries:

Instagram: @dmartin_opchial
Instagram: @gsoundoftheyearstudio
WhatsApp: +234 902 195 7914
Email: Dmartinprobeat@gmail.com

Beyond the talent hunt, the festival is expected to bring together music lovers, performers, creatives, and entertainment enthusiasts for an evening of live performances and networking.

The event flyer lists several performing artists, including Ovuemax, Mohyen, Sanny Gee, Kushflow 15, Diago, Evron Diver, Milli Moree, Pehgy, Sherico, Egbebomo, Younglucki, and Dmartinpro.

The red carpet is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM, while the main show is scheduled for 8:00 PM.

With a combination of emerging performers, a competitive talent showcase, and music industry opportunities, the festival is positioning itself as a platform for aspiring artists looking to take their next step.

Event Details At A Glance 👇

Event: Lagos Next Star Music Festival & Talent Hunt 2026
Presented by: G Sound Studio
Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026
Red carpet: 6:00 PM
Main show: 8:00 PM
Venue: De City Lounge, 108 Badore Road, opposite Regal Star School, Badore, Ajah, Lagos
Registration fee: ₦10,000, as advertised
Talent hunt prizes: First, second and third-place prizes, with additional creative opportunities advertised for winners

Stay connected to Blow Naija Media for more entertainment news, music updates, artist features, and events from across Nigeria.

Entertainment

Emersonnoni Unveils Bold Promo Shots as He Prepares Next Musical Chapter

Published

3 weeks ago

September 30, 2026

Baba Blow

Rising Nigerian Afro-Pop artist Emmanuel Oghenekevwe, widely known as Emerson and now requesting to be addressed as Emersonnoni, has released a fresh set of promotional photographs ahead of his next musical project.

The visuals mark a confident step forward for the Ughelli South, Delta State native, who has been steadily building momentum since the February 2026 release of his single Ask Of Emerson (featuring Snazzygrin).

That track, produced by Gluck Beatz and written by Oghene Kevwe Emmanuel, showcased his blend of Afro-Pop energy, storytelling, and contemporary Nigerian sound.
With the new promo images, Emersonnoni appears to be setting the tone for a more defined personal brand.

Entertainment

MAIDEN MOEISHA CREATIVE EXPERIENCE HOLDS THIS FRIDAY

Published

4 weeks ago

September 25, 2026

Baba Blow

MAIDEN MOEISHA CREATIVE EXPERIENCE HOLDS THIS FRIDAY

Utibe Utuk

All is set to host a gathering of artists,innovators,creative entrepreneurs,young talents,students and industry professionals as the MOEISHA Creative Experience 2026 takes center stage.

The event, which brings together diverse voices and ideas around art,technology,culture and the future of the creative economy is scheduled for Friday,September 25th from 4pm,toprovide a platform for participants to connect,share ideas,showcase their creativity and explore emerging opportunities at the intersection of art,innovation and technology at Ibom LED Centre.

A major feature of the gathering will be the official launch of The Moeisha Foundation,an initiative focused on empowering young women and fresh school leavers with creative skills and opportunities in digital entrepreneurship.

The foundation is expected to provide opportunities for young people to develop practical skills,discover their creative potential and explore sustainable pathways within the growing digital economy.

Beyond the celebration of creative expression,the MOEISHA Creative Experience is designed to promote networking,collaboration and knowledge sharing among participants from different areas of the creative industry.

The event will take place at Ibom LED,Ibom E-Library,Ibb Way,Uyo,Akwa Ibom State,with free entry for participants. Artists,students,young entrepreneurs,industry professionals and lovers of culture are expected to attend the gathering.

Some of the speakers and panelists to grace the event are Mandu Akpekong (Public Speaker), Sukmama Akpanusong (Tech Entrepreneur),Utonne Ekefre (CEO Latonne Signature) and Emmanuel Udosen (CEO Coddatech Nigeria Ltd), with performances by Udo Mariam, Psc Ben, Ferric Wondaz, Carlos Umoh and Evelyn Praiz to spice up the evening.

The convener,Mekmfonabasi Essien,an artist,creative visionary and curator,said in a chat with this reporter penultimate week that the event was conceived as an avenue to bring people together and create opportunities for meaningful connections within the creative space.

According to her,for a creative community like Uyo,which continues to explore new ways of turning talent and ideas into opportunities,the MOEISHA Creative Experience 2026 provides an avenue for participants to connect,create and discover new possibilities.

She called on young people in Akwa Ibom and neighbouring cities to take advantage of the gathering,describing it as a networking hub capable of opening doors for greater collaboration and creative partnerships.