In a significant development in the fight against cybercrime, Justices Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court and Adebayo Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court, both seated in Ilorin, handed down verdicts on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, convicting and sentencing eight individuals involved in internet fraud to varying prison terms. These individuals, amongst a group of 48 students from Kwara State University (KWASU) and two Malete residents, were apprehended during a coordinated sting operation conducted by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. The convicted fraudsters include Afolabi Habeeb…
Author: Adewale A.
Mr. Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has underscored the importance of bolstering local capacities to foster growth within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Speaking during a Courtesy Visit from top executives of ExxonMobil at the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, Olukoyede emphasised the critical role of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria’s developmental aspirations. Olukoyede highlighted the need for local capacities to be strengthened to fully harness the potential of the industry and align with national interests. He stressed the significance of technology transfer and the…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought forward a significant case against former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, along with his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, for alleged money laundering offences amounting to N84 billion. The quartet appeared before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, to face an amended 17-count charge. Prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, presented an application for the amendment of charges against the defendants, seeking to include Yahaya Bello in the trial. Despite objections from counsels representing Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman, the judge granted the prosecution’s…
In a significant operation targeting cybercriminal activities, operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended 57 individuals suspected of internet fraud in Benin City. The arrests, made on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at various locations within Benin City, were facilitated by actionable intelligence regarding the suspects’ involvement in internet-related offences. Among the items recovered from the suspects were 12 exotic cars, comprising four Mercedes-Benz GLK, two Mercedes-Benz C300, one Mercedes-Benz 350, four Lexus ES350, and one Lexus RX330. Additionally, laptops and mobile phones were seized as part of the operation. The swift…
The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented Onwe Onyedika Prince before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Enugu, on charges related to internet fraud. Prince faces a three-count charge, including possession of fraudulent documents and fraudulent impersonation. One of the counts alleges that between January and July 2022 in Enugu, Prince, with intent to defraud, possessed a document containing false pretences in which he assumed the identity of one Jamie Johnson. This action is said to contravene Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences…
The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned David Ikeaghichi before Justice S. D. Pam of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The charges brought against Ikeaghichi stem from allegations of impersonating an Afghan soldier and defrauding individuals through false pretences. Ikeaghichi faces trial on two-count charges under Section 1 (1)(a & b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006. The charges outline his alleged involvement in impersonating military personnel from Afghanistan and deceiving an individual into providing $1000 worth of gift cards…
In a significant operation targeting cybercriminal activities, operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended a barber and eleven individuals suspected of involvement in internet fraud. The arrests, conducted on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, were the result of credible intelligence gathered by the EFCC. The suspects were apprehended based on substantial evidence suggesting their participation in internet-related offences, marking a crucial step in the fight against cybercrime in the region. Among the items seized during the operation were sophisticated mobile phones, laptops, and WiFi routers, believed to have…
In a decisive move against illicit financial activities, the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought three individuals to face charges for operating illegal bureau de change businesses. Mustapha Abatcha, Adam Mohammed, and Mohammed Ali stood before Justice Jude K. Dagat of the Federal High Court in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Thursday, March 14, 2024, to answer for their alleged offences. Each defendant faced a separate one-count charge for engaging in bureau de change operations without the requisite license. The charges highlighted the contravention of Sections 57 and 59(5) of the Banks and Other Financial…
The Sokoto Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought charges against Jamilu Nabunkari and Bashar Sani before Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Sokoto State High Court. The accusations revolve around the alleged fraudulent acquisition of N2,900,000 (Two Million Nine Hundred Thousand Naira) through a land scam. Nabunkari and Sani were arraigned on two-count charges, both stemming from obtaining funds under false pretences. The charges levelled against them include conspiracy to commit an illegal act and the fraudulent obtaining of funds from Lawali Tukur Faru through false representation of land sale. The first count detailed the…
Oyo and Ogun courts have delivered decisive blows against cybercrime, with Justices A.L. Akintola, O.A. Lajide, and O.A. Adetujoye of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, alongside Justice B.B. Adebowale of the Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta, handing down convictions to sixteen individuals involved in internet fraud. Additionally, Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court in Ibadan played a significant role in these legal proceedings. The convicted individuals, after pleading guilty to separate one-count charges, faced arraignment by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Among those sentenced were Arode Opeyemi Amos,…