North Dakota
Nigerian man sentenced for scamming North Dakota law firm out of nearly $200,000
BISMARCK — A Nigerian man has been sentenced to almost 12 years in prison after he scammed a North Dakota law firm out of nearly $200,000.
North Dakota U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Traynor sentenced Christopher Ndubuisi Agbaje on Wednesday, Sept. 11, to 142 months in federal prison. The sentence comes after a jury found Agbaje guilty in May of money laundering, as well as aiding and abetting with wire and mail fraud.
“This strong sentence shows that international fraudsters cannot hide from justice,” North Dakota U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider said in a statement. “When North Dakotans are the victims of fraud, our prosecutors and law enforcement partners will work internationally to hold defendants accountable in a federal courtroom in Bismarck or Fargo.”
Agbaje and others formed a “sophisticated scheme” to defraud a law firm in Mercer County out of $198,337, as well as a Florida law firm out of $195,500, from November 2020 to January 2021, according to court documents. The group falsely claimed to be the president of a Florida company called Anthem Equipment Inc., according to court documents. The group claimed to be in a legal dispute with a Bismarck company and then started a “fictitious attorney-client relationship” with the North Dakota law firm, a news release said.
Court documents didn’t identify the law firms.
Agbaje was extradited from the United Kingdom to North Dakota
in February.
Prosecutors asked for 60 months in prison, while Agbaje’s attorney, Dane DeKrey, recommended 37 months, according to court documents. A presentence investigation report advised a sentence of 57 to 71 months, court documents said.
The Forum has reached out to DeKrey for comment but did not hear back from him by publishing time.
North Dakota
Armstrong directs flags at half-staff Thursday in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Thursday, May 14, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in observance of national Peace Officers Memorial Day.
The governor’s directive is in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Donald Trump, who also proclaimed May 10-16 as national Police Week.
Armstrong will join North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Supreme Court Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers in delivering remarks during a North Dakota Peace Officers Memorial Service at 7 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Hall of the State Capitol. North Dakota’s 69 fallen peace officers will be remembered and honored during the service, and the Capitol windows will be lit to display a “Thin Blue Line” as a mark of respect for all law enforcement officers, past and present.
MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – Todd Cresap, who has served as a North Dakota district judge since 2009, announced he will retire in July.
Cresap wrote a letter to Gov. Kelly Armstrong, R-ND, he would retire effective July 17.
In the letter, Cresap said he had ‘mixed emotions’ over the decision, calling it an ‘honor’ to serve, but said it was time for someone ‘with a new perspective’ to serve.
A Valley City native, Cresap studied at Minot State University and the University of North Dakota.
Then-Gov. John Hoeven appointed Cresap to fill a judgeship in the Northwest Judicial District in 2009 that was created by the legislature. He served in that district until 2014, when it was split into Northwest and North Central.
Voters elected Cresap to the bench in 2012, 2016, and 2022. He served as a lawyer in private practice before his appointment as judge.
Armstrong can appoint a replacement to fill Cresap’s remaining term from a nominating committee’s list, ask the committee for new candidates, or call a special election.
The North Central District covers Ward, Mountrail, and Burke Counties.
Copyright 2026 KFYR. All rights reserved.
STUTSMAN COUNTY, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A 22-year-old woman was killed May 11 in a single-vehicle rollover crash on a rural road in Stutsman County.
The crash was reported about 8:06 p.m. on 77th Avenue SE, roughly 6 miles west of Kensal.
Troopers said a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado was heading south on the gravel road when it left the roadway, the driver overcorrected and the vehicle rolled.
The Carrington woman, who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene, authorities said. Her name has not yet been released.
The crash remains under investigation by the North Dakota State Patrol.
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.
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