NEWS UPDATE
THIS RWANDAN STUDENT HAS DEVELOPED A PROTOTYPE THAT ENABLES WHATSAPP USERS TO MAKE CALLS WITHOUT INTERNET
PULSE.NG FEB 20, 2018 1:00 PM.
The system will allow WhatsApp users to directly call mobile phone numbers.
26 year old Deodate Mugenzi (Courtesy)
A Rwandan student has discovered a network prototype that will enable WhatsApp users to make internal and international calls without the internet.
According to a report by privately-owned The New Times newspaper, Deodate Mugenzi says he developed the prototype to enable Africans in the diaspora to call their counterparts back home.
Deodate Mugenzi has discovered a network prototype that will enable WhatsApp users to make internal and international calls without the internet.
The computer system allows WhatsApp users to directly call mobile phone numbers. It operates using optic physics, mobile gadget communication techniques, and networking principles.
For one to be able to use the system, Mugenzi has to register the numbers of both the caller and the receiver on WhatsApp.
The third year IT student at Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC-Kigali) says the prototype was developed out of his passion for science and technology, as well as the need to solve existing problems that most people face in Rwanda.
Mugenzi's idea dates back to 2017 but the 26-year old believes that the outcome could be a life-changing solution.
The platform has attracted several telecommunication firms who expressed their interest in buying the idea for further development.
“Many people have expressed interest in the system, but I’m not ready to just give it out as it is. I need more skills and knowledge to turn it into something that can be commercialised,” he stated.
Mugenzi however says that he needs more support to conduct intensive research and studies to be able to scale up his system.
DAVID AYOMIDE RAPHAEL
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION, EFCC ,
Ibadan zonal office on Monday, February 19, 2018 arraigned one David Ayomide Raphael before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State , on an eight-count charge of money laundering.
Raphael was arraigned following an anonymous petition alleging that a syndicate of fraudsters who resides at Kola area, Oluyole, Ibadan was into fraudulent activities.
Investigation into the petition by operatives of Commission revealed that members of the syndicate – Davies Ayomide Raphael and two others at large (Oyewole Segun Samuel and Adeyemi Adewumi Segun) were specialized in internet scam through which they defraud innocent people, while using fictitious address to purchase items online such as cars and furniture with fake PayPal.
READ ALSO: See the Face of a Man Caught and Paraded N*ked in Public for Defiling a 5-year-old Girl (Photos)
It was also discovered that the defendant also engages in online dating to defraud unsuspecting victims.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Davies Ayomide Raphael, Adeyemi Adewumi Segun (at large) and Oyewole Segun Samuel (at large) on or about the 4th of January 2016, at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Federal High Court, did agree amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: money laundering and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (As Amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act”.
Another charge reads: “That you, Davies Ayomide Raphael on the 20th of June 2016, at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Federal High Court, did directly take possession of the sum of N235,000.00 (Two Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand Naira) only transferred to you by Adeyemi Adewumi Segun which sum you knew or reasonably ought to have known form part of the proceeds of your unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (As Amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act”.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him. In view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Sanusi M. Galadanshi prayed the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in prison custody.
READ ALSO: 36 State Governors Agree to Pay Salaries and Pension Arrears to Workers
However, counsel to the defendant, J. A. Sanusi informed the court of a pending bail application on behalf of his client and prayed the court to allow the defendant remain in the EFCC’s custody pending the hearing of the application.
Justice Abdulmalik granted the prayer and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC’s custody pending hearing of his bail application.
The case is adjourned to February 27, 2018 for hearing of bail application and commencement of trial