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Tag: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

  • EFCC denies raiding CJN Onnoghen’s house

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday denied raiding the residence of the Chief Justice of Nigeria( CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    It also said it did not arrest the CJN contrary to rumours.

    It however threatened to sue a former minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and the spokesman of Afenifere Renewal Group, Yinka Odumakin for peddling the rumours.

    The anti-graft commission made the clarifications in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Tony Orilade.

    The statement said: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been drawn to the falsehood which has been spreading on the social media that the EFCC has arrested the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    “This is not only a figment of the imagination of the purveyor of the fake news, but an evil machination by the creator and carriers of the news aimed at creating anarchy in the country.

    “For the record, the EFCC never went to the house of the CJN for arrest neither was invitation extended to him.

    “Several calls and short messages received all point to the fact that the brains behind the fake news had one thing in mind: to act as agent of destabilization. We would not give in to their plots.”

    The EFCC threatened legal action against Fani-Kayode and Odumakin for spreading fake news against it.

    It added: “One of the architects of the fake news, Femi Fani-Kayode, was quoted as saying “Why have the EFCC surrounded the home of CJN Onnoghen and why are they seeking to arrest him? These people want Nigeria to burn! Buhari call off your dogs before it is too late! This is a democracy and not a gestapo state! In the name of God let this madness stop”.

    “Another arrowhead of the fake news, Yinka Odumakin shared a non-existent video which has gone viral.

    “We want to assure Nigerians that while we would fight corruption in line with the mandate setting up the Commission, agents of darkness, in the likes of Femi Fani-Kayode, Yinka Odumakin and his cohorts, would never be able to manipulate the people against the Commission.

    “We also want to assure Fani-Kayode, Yinka Odumakin and other purveyors of the evil news to be ready to defend their actions in the court of law as the EFCC will file libel suit against them without further delay.”

  • EFCC secures three fresh convictions

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu on Thursday said the Commission is ready to secure more convictions in 2019.

    He said the anti-graft agency has also secured three convictions barely a few days in the New Year.

    He, however, said the EFCC will redouble its efforts to bring more corrupt suspects to justice.

    Magu made the disclosures while addressing officers during a working tour to the Lagos office of the commission.

    A statement by the Acting Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Tony Orilade quoted Magu as pledging to work within the ambit of the law.

    Magu said: “The EFCC has already secured three convictions in 2019, which is a good start.

    Read Also: Man arraigned for N1.5m alleged visa fraud

    “With 312 convictions in 2018, we are strategizing to redouble our effort in 2019, as part of our concerted efforts aimed at ensuring that the negative narrative of pervasive corruption in the system is changed for the better, and the perception that some persons are above the law, remains altered.

    “The Commission shall continue to rid the country of economic and financial crimes and effectively coordinate the domestic efforts of the global fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

    He said the “EFCC remains committed to carrying out its duties in conformity to best international practice within the ambit of the Law”.

    While commending the exemplary leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, for the success recorded in the past year, he stressed that the Judiciary is key to winning the corruption fight.

    He said: “Let us have it at the back of our minds that we are only prosecutors; without the support of the Judiciary, led by the CJN and other Heads of Court across jurisdictions, we could not have been able to achieve the much we did in 2018.

    “Therefore, to be able to double that feat in 2019, let us know that we cannot do without the judiciary.”

    He called for unalloyed collaboration of other stakeholders, and urged Nigerians to be “more dedicated and determined in reducing corruption to the barest minimum”.

    “Those who stole our commonwealth should know that there is no hiding place for them. A high tension searchlight is being beamed on them, it is in their interest to surrender because the game is up”, he added.

    Meanwhile, the EFCC said it has already secured three convictions in 2019.

    The statement disclosed that Justice D. Z. Senchi of the FCT High Court, Apo, on January 2, 2019, convicted Augustine James and Cyrinus Valentine Richard and sentenced them to 14 years in jail without an option of fine.

    They were prosecuted on a six-count amended charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and forgery.

    Justice Senchi also convicted Edwin Ogbomwan (aka Thomas Jerry Stars) who was prosecuted by the Advance Fee Fraud Unit of the Commission. He was convicted for Internet-related fraud and sentenced to two months imprisonment with an option of fine of N1, 000,000 (One Million Naira) only.

    The convict is also to forfeit his Toyota Camry 2006 model and iPhone X to the Federal Government. EFCC secures three fresh convictions, Magu pledges more trials.

  • ‘EFCC secures 312 convictions in 2018’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has secured no fewer than 312 convictions between January and Dec. 24, 2018.

    Mr Tony Orilade, EFCC’s acting Head, Media and Publicity, gave details of the convictions on Thursday in a statement in Abuja.

    According to the statement, the record of convictions is undoubtedly a significant improvement from the 189 convictions recorded in 2017.

    “More significantly is that it includes the conviction of two Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) – Jolly Nyame, a former governor of Taraba State and Joshua Dariye, a serving Senator and a former governor of Plateau State,” he said.

    Nyame and Dariye are currently serving jail terms at Kuje Prison.

    According to the statement, Dariye and Nyame, who were sentenced to 14 years in prison, had approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the “guilty” verdict by Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gudu.

    “However, while upholding their convictions, the Appellate Court commuted Dariye’s jail term to 10 years, and that of Nyame to 12 years with a fine of N495 million.

    “Also, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Joseph Nwobike, who has been stripped of the highly revered legal title, was also convicted for perverting the course of justice,” the statement read in part.

    Orilade said that with the convictions, the EFCC, led by Mr Ibrahim Magu as Acting Chairman, had remained consistent in its concerted efforts against corruption.

    “This effort is aimed at ensuring that the negative narrative of pervasive corruption in the system is changed for the better, and the perception that some persons are above the Law, is altered.”

    Orilade also stated that the record of convictions cut across the various offices of the EFCC with Lagos securing 85 convictions and Abuja 53, respectively.

    He stated that while Kano office secured 36 convictions; Port Harcourt secured 33; Gombe recorded 28; Benin 27; Enugu 15; Maiduguri 11; Ibadan 10; Uyo eight, and Kaduna six. (NAN)

  • EFCC moves for interim forfeiture of Bankers Warehouse’s $2.8m

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a motion at the Federal High Court in Enugu for the interim forfeiture of $2.8million seized last week .

    Acting Spokesperson of the commission, Mr Tony Orilade said the commission has  also filed  an affidavit of urgency for the matter to be heard on Dec. 27 by a vacation Judge  in Port Harcourt.

    The commission  on Thursday arrested two persons at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, carrying the money in two suitcases.

    The men were  Ighoh Augustine and Ezekwe Emmanuel.

    According to the EFCC, the suspects, who said they work for a company called Bankers Warehouse,   confessed during interrogation that they had been in the business of moving cash for “some notable banks” for over six years.

    “At the time of filing this report, the alleged owner of the money, the bank had not made any physical presence in any of the commission’s offices, including the Enugu office, to establish their claim.”

    Orilade further said that efforts were being made to secure warrant for the detention of the suspects pending when they would be charged to court.

    He explained that the warrant was consequent upon the refusal of the bank or any of the relatives to come for the release of the suspects.

    Bankers Warehouse in a statement at the weekend claimed ownership of the money and asked the EFCC to apologise and return the money.

    The company which said it is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria to carry out Cash/Asset movement and Currency Processing said the men arrested were not involved in any money laundering and were carrying out a legitimate movement of cash.

    Read also: Bankers Warehouse urges EFCC to release detained $2.8m cash, employees

    “We hereby state emphatically that the movement of this currency was a legitimate exercise, being carried out on behalf of a legitimate Financial Institution,” the company said..

    “We emphasise that our employees are in no way criminals, carrying out any act of illegality as the EFCC has tried to portray. The young men whose character and reputation have been deliberately soiled by the EFCC operatives were conducting their legitimate duties as requested by a bank customer of our company.

    “We request for the swift and immediate release of our employees and our customer’s currency, both detained without proper cause.

    “We also demand an immediate retraction by the EFCC and an apology issued to our company and our employees whose images have been maligned”.

    In another development, the Nigerian Navy has handed over four persons and a vessel allegedly involved in illegal oil bunkering to operatives of EFCC, Benin Zonal Office.

    The suspects, Promise Onate, Emonefe Stanley, Samson Obaje and Peresey Friday were onboard the vessel, MV Enterprise, when they were rounded up by men of the Nigerian Navy, NNS Delta on Dec. 4 at Nana Creek Escravos, Delta State.

    They were arrested on the suspicion that they were conveying Automotive Gas Oil, (AGO) without any valid approval.

    Captain Yilme, who represented the NNS Commander at the handing over in Warri, Delta State, said, “after forensic analysis of the product by officials of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the result revealed that the product onboard were poorly refined AGO”.

    While receiving the suspects and the vessel, Richard Ogberagha, an EFCC operative, said the commission would carry out further investigation and ensure that those found culpable were brought to book.(NAN)

  • NBA chief Usoro docked for alleged N1.4b fraud

    •Court grants him N250m bail •Judge rejects request to transfer case to Abuja

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN) at a Federal High Court in Lagos, for an alleged N1.4 billion fraud.

    Usoro was docked before Justice Muslim Sule Hassan on a 10-count charge, bordering on the alleged offences.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    Others charged with him are: Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance Nsikan Nkan; Accountant-General Mfon Udomah; Attorney-General Uwemedimo Nwoko and Margaret Ukpe said to be at large.

    Also named in the charge was Akwa Ibom State Governor Emmanuel Udom, who the EFCC said was “currently constitutionally immune from prosecution”.

    The arraignment followed Justice Hassan’s December 10 order that the EFCC should serve the charge on Usoro, who had arrived in court with 13 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).

    At the beginning of proceedings yesterday, Olanipekun opposed his client’s arraignment pending a transfer of the case from Justice Hassan.

    He told the judge that the defence had written a letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Kafarati, seeking a transfer of the case to Uyo, Abuja or any other jurisdiction of the court away from the judge.

    Olanipekun said: “I owe a duty to advise the court that the defendant made available to his lawyers, a copy of a letter dated December 17, 2018, addressed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court praying for the transfer of the case to any judicial division between Uyo and Abuja or if in Lagos to any other judge apart from my lord presiding.

    “The application is very innocuous and was written by virtue of the legal right of the defendant.

    “We understand that a copy of the letter has been served on the court and since the letter is before the Chief Judge, the proper thing is to await his decision as a mark of respect for him.”

    But, the EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, opposed him.

    Oyedepo prayed the court to discountenance Olanipekun’s submissions on the ground that the ruling of the court fixing yesterday for arraignment of the defendant had not been set aside.

    He argued that the defence could only raise any objection after the defendant’s plea had been taken.

    According to him, Section 9 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) governs the place of trial and enquiry, and requires that the charge be filed in the jurisdiction, where the alleged offence took place.

    He argued that sufficient facts which would lead to a transfer of the case to Uyo or Abuja were not available.

    “It was not the contention of the defence that the ingredient of the alleged offence did not take place in Lagos. The events that will lead to the transfer of the case to either Uyo or Abuja Division are not available,” Oyedepo said.

    Besides, he argued that apart from the letter to the CJ, there was no formal application before the court seeking the judge to recuse himself from the case.

    He urged the court to proceed with arraignment.

    In a bench ruling, Justice Hassan held: “I have listened vehemently to the submissions of counsel and I have also read the letter written to the CJ.

    “”The issue in view is narrowed down to whether the defendant can take his plea in the circumstance.”

    The judge held that although it was not in dispute that the CJ reserved the right to transfer cases, the instant case was already assigned to his court.

    He added that it was a rule that even where such application for transfer exists, the trial judge should continue with hearing of the case, pending any contrary decision.

    The court then called on the NBA President to take his plea.

    Usoro pleaded not guilty.

    After his plea, Olanipekun prayed the court to admit Usoro to bail on liberal terms of self-recognisance as NBA President.

    He added that Usoro’s International passport would be deposited with the court as a measure, adding that he would apply for same whenever the need arises.

    Oyedepo did not oppose the application, but left same at the discretion of the court.

    In another bench ruling, Justice Hassan admitted the defendant to bail for N250 million, with one surety in the like sum.

    The court added that the surety must be owner of landed property within the court’s jurisdiction or a civil servant not lower than the rank of a Director in the Federal or State civil service.

    The NBA President was further ordered to deposit his international passport with the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR), which will be verified for genuineness.

    The court then ordered that Usoro be handed over to a counsel of the inner bar, Mr. E.B. Effiong (SAN), pending perfection of his bail terms.

    He adjourned the case till February 5, March 5, and March 6, 2019 for trial.

    In the charge, the anti-graft agency alleged that the defendant committed the offence on May 14, 2016.

    The commission alleged that Usoro conspired with others to commit the offence within the jurisdiction of the court.

    He was alleged to have conspired to convert N1.4 billion, property of Akwa Ibom State Government, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity.

    The prosecution said the unlawful activity included criminal breach of trust, which contravened sections 15 (2), 15(3), and 18 (A) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

  • EFCC, ICPC to investigate allegations of fraud against UNTH management

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has promised to probe allegations of fraud leveled against the management of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State.

    South East Zonal Director of the Commission Usman Ahmed Imam, an Assistant Commission of Police, was addressing protesting doctors of UNTH who stormed the EFCC office on Thursday .

    Imam who said he was new in the zone having arrived Enugu on Monday said he is however not new to the system assuring on behalf of the Executive director of EFCC that their petition would receive adequate and prompt attention.

    Also speaking when the protesting doctors called on him Zonal commissioner Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission, ICPC, Amedu Sule assured that the probe would commence promptly.

    He assured that contrary to the doctors complaint that an earlier petition to the Commission never saw the light of the day that he would personally ensure that investigations commences without delay.

    Addressing the anti-corruption Zonal Heads, President of Association of Resident Doctors UNTH Chapter, Dr Isaiah Nwidenyi said that doctors were being shortchanged by the Deputy Director of Finance and the Chief Medical Director.

    He alleged of a certain N3.2bn tax deductions which is not accounted for.

    The doctors who alleged other financial fraud in the hospital called on both EFCC and ICPC to investigate the Deputy Director of Finance, DDF Mr. Chukwudi Onuchukwu whom they claimed have continuously shortchanged them.

    They are also requesting that the role of the outgoing CMD Christopher Amah be probed.

    Read Also: EFCC charges NBA President with N1.4bn fraud

    He said: “We have been shortchanged for a long time. We are no longer treated as resident doctors. What is due to us have been taken away from us. We don’t know how much is our salary; we don’t know how much is our arrears”

    “Today we demand transparency; we demand honesty, openness, accountability. Let us know how much you have spent from our money, the money belongs to us. It is our efforts, it is our sufferings, it is our sweat, we will not allow you to take it away.”

    Nwidenyi Isaiah accused the management of trying to divert a certain N100m sent by the federal government to settle their arrears.

    He said “The first N100 million sent was in April, the second one was in October. The first has been disbursed and in doing that the management said they were to share it with us, 70%-30%.

    “They took part of the N70m representing 70% and started paying our advancement arrears. They have paid up to 60 people but they have not given us account of how much they have utilized out of the N70m they claim they want to give us. So we ask them for clarification, accountability, let us know how much of our money have been spent but they said no.

    “The doctors are saying the aren’t accepting that; they should give us a breakdown of how that money have been used we don’t want to be shortchanged.

    “Also the second N100m that came this October they are now saying that it does not belong to us. That the money was removed somewhere from their account and given to them; we smell fraud and we are not accepting that story. They have to be probed.

    “There is also an illegal policy that is being implemented by the hospital management; they call it bond deduction. Any doctor that starts work in the hospital, his first call duty allowance is withheld; they remove it; they call it bond deduction.

    “We don’t understand that argument. What they say is that by the time we will be leaving the system they will refund us the money. It is not true, nobody has ever been refunded and it is illegal. It is ether they send the money to Treasury Single Account or they send the money to the government which they don’t do. They send it to their private accounts and claim that it is bond. How can you remove N98,000 from over 150 new residents and N50,000 from over 130 House Officers, it’s big money.”

  • Money Laundering: Zamfara SUBEB boss jailed 41 years

    The Chairman of Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Murtala Adamu Jengebe has been sentenced to a 41-year jail term.

    This was disclosed in a tweet by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) via its official twitter handle: @officialEFCC on Thursday.

    EFCC disclosed that a five-man panel of the Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto and presided over by Justice Hannatu Sankey sentenced Jengebe to a cumulative jail term of 41 years.

    The tweets further reads: “Jengebe was convicted by the court after the appellate court found him guilty on the seven out of the 10 counts for which he was earlier acquitted at the Federal High Court, Gusau, Zamfara State.

    Read ALso: ‘Buhari will enhance democratic governance, if re-elected’

    “In the lead judgment of the Court read by Justice Habeeb Abiru, the earlier acquittal of the embattled Chairman by a Federal High Court in Gusau was set aside.

    “The appellate court held that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt seven out of the ten counts of the money laundering charge brought against him by the EFCC.

    “He was consequently sentenced to five years imprisonment on each of four of the counts and seven years each on three other counts respectively. However, the Court ordered that the sentences shall run concurrently.

    “It would be recalled that on the 12th day of May 2017, the Federal High Court sitting in Gusau presided over by Justice Z.B Abubakar discharged and acquitted the convict on the 10 counts charge of Money Laundering but convicted him for engaging in private business while he was still in public service. An offence he was never charged for by the Commission.

    “Dissatisfied with the judgement of the lower court, the prosecution approached the Court Of Appeal seeking it to set aside the judgement of the lower court.”

  • Drama as Senate confirms Olukoyede as EFCC scribe

    The Senate on Wednesday finally confirmed the appointment of Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The confirmation was however not without drama.

    Sharp disagreement between the Chairman, Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Chukwuka Utazi and some members of the Committee, trailed the confirmation.

    Two members of the committee, Senators Isa Hamman Misau and Dino Melaye, claimed that the screening of Olukoyede was done without their input.

    The duo insisted that they should be told if there were hidden interests in the screening of the nominee.

    The situation almost degenerated into verbal altercation between Utazi and Misau but for Senate President Bukola Saraki’s intervention.

    Olukoyede, from Ekiti State, is the Chief of Staff to the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.

    He was nominated as Secretary to the Commission by President Buhari through a letter dated September 10, 2018 and addressed to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

    The Senate on October 3, 2018, referred President Buhari’s request for the confirmation of the nominee to the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, for screening.

    Utazi (Enugu North), on Tuesday, presented the report of the Committee on the screening of the nominee to the Senate for adoption.

    He told the Senate that Olukoyede satisfied the Committee and demonstrated competence and sufficient experience to occupy the office for which he was nominated.

    Senator Misau (Bauchi Central) opposed the confirmation of Olukoyede, claiming that most members of the Committee were not carried along in the screening exercise.

    Utazi explained that he invited all members of the Committee to the screening of the nominee but only three of them attended.

    He also noted that the three senators out of the eight members formed quorum because the Senate rule stipulates that one-third of members shall form quorum.

     Saraki asked the Committee members to meet and discuss the report to avoid creating divergent positions on the confirmation exercise.

    When the report was presented again yesterday for consideration and adoption, Senator Misau raised further objections.

    The Bauchi Central Senator claimed that he was not contacted for the meeting as directed by the Senate on Tuesday.

    Another member of the Committee, Senator Dino Melaye, supported Misau.

    Read also: EFCC arraigns businessman for providing false information

    Melaye said that Utazi did not comply with the resolution of the Senate to hold a meeting of members of the committee to discuss the report.

    Utazi, who expressed anger over the accusation by members of the committee, told the Senate that he sent letters of invitation to all members.

    He said some members of the committee did not attend the meeting because they went for oversight functions of other committees.

    He said that some Committee members were holding the Senate to ransom due their selfish interest.

    Utazi urged the Senate not to set a bad precedence by allowing few individuals to slow down the work of the chamber out of their selfishness.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, explained that once a committee had turned in its report, the report become the property of the Senate.

    Ekweremadu said that after debate of such report, the presiding officer put the question to allow senators vote the way they wanted.

    Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan also said that the committee met the rules of the Senate.

    A voice vote agreed that the report should be considered.

    Another voice vote overwhelmingly supported the confirmation of Olukoyede  as the EFCC secretary.

  • EFCC denies receiving N10 million donation from Ganduje

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied receiving N10 million donation from Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

    The EFCC Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Mr Tony Orilade, said in Abuja on Tuesday that the story was false and a deliberate attempt to malign the efforts of the Commission in the fight against corruption.

    “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been drawn to a trending story in the social media.

    “This is concerning a purported statement credited to the media aide of the Kano State governor to the effect that the Commission got a N10 Million donation from the state government.

    “For the records, it is a tradition that the EFCC does not receive donations from state governors or government or any individual at that.

    “The EFCC, as a reputable anti-graft agency is sponsored by the Federal Government through budgetary allocation and in some cases, foreign organisations in terms of capacity building.

    “It is true that the Commission in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Crimes (ICPC) and the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and other stakeholders is organising the first National Anti-Corruption Marathon.

    “Mr Jacob Onu, leader of the National Anti-Corruption Marathon had fortnight ago visited the Commission.“He informed the Acting Chairman and his management about the marathon which he said is being planned in tandem with the International Anti-Corruption Day which usually comes up on Dec. 9 every year.

    “He said it was aimed at raising national consciousness on the scourge and danger of corruption to the country and the need for all and sundry to join hands to eradicate it.
    “It is therefore very shocking to read of a purported donation of N10 million to the Commission.

    “The story is not only unfounded but very mischievous.“For the avoidance of doubt, no state governor or some other individual or group has donated any amount of money to the EFCC to carry out the Anti-corruption Marathon project or any other project for that matter,” Orilade said. (NAN)

  • EFCC arrests 24 undergraduates, others over cyber crime

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ibadan has arrested 36 suspected internet fraudsters at 21, Sawmill Road, Awa-Ijebu, Ogun State.

    The commission’s acting Head, Media and Publicity, Mr Tony Orilade, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

    Orilade stated that the suspects, who were between 19 and 37 years of age, included 23 university students, out of which, nine were ladies who allegedly claimed to be girlfriends and or neighbours of some of the suspects.

    He added that one of the suspects was from another university, while 12 others were not students.

    He stated that EFCC got wind of their activities through intelligence reports alleging that the suspected fraudsters were obtaining money by false pretext.

    He said, “the suspects carry out their activities by sending emails to unsuspecting victims mostly in the United States of America, while others were engaged in romance scam on several dating sites.

    “At the point of arrest, EFCC operatives recovered over 300 SIM cards from them.”

    Orilade said other items recovered from the suspects included different models and brands of exotic cars, 18 laptops, nine being of Apple brand, 50 cell phone, including 21  iphones and two bags of fetish objects.

    The media and publicity acting head said that the suspects would be charged to court after investigation. (NAN)