EFCC arrests 57 Internet scam suspects, recovers 2 rifles as court jails 6 fraudsters

*The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission discloses actionable intelligence has assisted it in arresting and prosecuting the suspects linked to alleged fraudulent activities, including obtaining money by false pretences, and other cybercrimes

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

In a mass arrest of economic crime suspects, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has continued to tackle crimes and criminalities against the populace as the Ibadan Zonal Office of the anti-corruption agency recently arrested 57 suspected Internet fraudsters in their hotel hideouts and recovered two pump action rifles.

Wilson Uwujaren, Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, in a statement Friday, March 12 said the suspects were arrested at four different hotels in Ilaro, Ogun State.

Arrested 57 suspected Internet fraudsters in Ibadan   Photo: Channels TV

The EFCC Spokesman disclosed that the sting operation was sequel to actionable intelligence linking the suspects to alleged fraudulent activities, ranging from love scam on numerous dating sites, obtaining money by false pretences, and other cybercrimes.

In the process, the agency said four exotic cars, mobile phones, laptops, two rifles, and several incriminating documents were recovered from them.

The suspects include Olatunji Opeyemi, Akintunde Oluwashola, Babatunde Gbolahan, Emmanuel Oluwadamliare, Ogundare Adewunmi, Popoola Salmon, Adebayo Olamilekan, Bakare Kudus, Michael Moyosoro, and Olatunji Tosin.

Others are Ishola Wasiu, Ugwu David, Salaudeen Roqueb, Obafunmilayo David, Jimoh Abiodun, Idowu Adeola, Oladipupo Nurudeen, Olasoju Mohammed, Onipede Toheed, Bello Abdullahi, Olatunji Abiola, Ogunbayo Peter, Adeyemi Ismail, Toheed Oluwaseun, Abiola Mutiu, Shoneye Idowu, Badmus Kayode, Ilyas Olanrewaju, Oladeji Babatunde, and Ijiola Adewole.

Also arrested by the anti-graft agency include Odewunmi Pelumi, Oyeniyi Olashile, Shogbamu Lukeman, Adebanji Michael, Bangbose Olakunle, Ashore Godwin, Bello Abdullahi, Ogundeji Ibrahim, Bashir Toheed, Olaleye Farudeen, Sunday Emmanuel, Adebowale Olamilekan, Babajide Bolaji, and Oluyide Olawale.

The remaining suspects are Abdullahi Farouq, Opeloyeru Abdulwaheed, Adeola Israel, Shittu Olamilekan, Abdullahi Owolabi, Ganiyu Olawale, Biodun Sunday, Aiyemidotun Omolade, Alade Oluwatosin, Oladele Temilope, Ogunrinde Akanbi, Awobaju Damilare, and Bello Olayithan.

Uwujaren said: “They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”

In a related development, the Ibadan Zonal Office of EFCC Wednesday, March 10, 2021, secured the conviction of six Internet fraudsters in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Convicted Internet fraudsters

Report indicates Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abeokuta convicted Balogun Mojeed, Adeyemo Adeyinka Samuel, Mojeed Tajudeen Oluwafemi, Babatunde Damilare Odetunde, and Opeyemi Jamiu after finding them guilty of separate amended one-count charge bordering on impersonation contrary to Section 22 (20) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22(2) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.

While Balogun Mojeed and Adeyemo Adeyinka Samuel were sentenced to two months in prison; Mojeed Tajudeen Oluwafemi and Babatunde Damilare Odetunde bagged three months imprisonment, and Opeyemi Jamiu, four months.

The Court also ordered them to make restitution to their victims and forfeit items recovered from them in the course of the investigation to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Likewise, Justice I. S. Yerima of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan convicted and sentenced certain Azeez Olanrewaju Salami to nine months in prison on an amended charge bordering on cheating, contrary to Section 421 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State 2000, after entering into a plea bargain agreement with the Commission, reports Channels TV.

The court also ordered Salami to restitute the sum of N1, 368,000.00 Naira (One Million, Three Hundred, and Sixty-Eight Thousand Naira) to his victim.

Meanwhile, in an effort at ridding the country of illegal theft of petroleum products, the Uyo Zonal Office of EFCC has taken over the investigation of four suspected illegal dealers in petroleum products.

The suspects and the 35 (300-litre capacity) drums of suspected Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol; two wooden boats and a fibre boat recovered from them were handed over to the Commission by J. Shenu, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Base, according to report.

The four suspects, Yomi Philip Omoshola, Fayowola Ogunfunyi, Japheth Emmanuel Pius and Ofonime Bassey Eniefiok, were reported to have been apprehended in two separate operations along Effiat Waterways, Ibaka.

Yomi Philip Omoshola, Fayowola Ogunfunyi along with other suspects was arrested with 26 drums (300 litres capacity) of petroleum product suspected to be petrol on-board two locally made wooden boats.

Similarly, Japheth Emmanuel Pius and Ofonime Bassey Eniefiok also was seized with nine drums (300 litres capacity) of suspected PMS, conveyed in a fibre boat on an outward sail to Cameroun.

DDS Abubakar Musa later received the suspects along with the boats and the products on behalf of the Commission.

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