EFCC to Arraign 23 Suspected Internet Fraudsters Arrested Near Obasanjo Library

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will arraign 23 of the 93 suspected internet fraudsters recently arrested at a hotel located near the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The suspects are scheduled to appear before Justice D. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on charges including impersonation, identity theft, and other cybercrime offences. According to the EFCC, the arraignment will be conducted in batches after profiling the individuals arrested during a pool party allegedly organised to celebrate proceeds of online fraud. Investigations indicate that the party was initially planned for two other venues before being moved to the hotel close to the OOPL in an apparent bid to avoid detection. Intelligence operatives reportedly trailed the suspects to the location. The anti-graft agency clarified that the operation did not target the former president’s facility, but focused solely on the suspects, many of whom have allegedly confessed to engaging in internet fraud. The EFCC added that the remaining suspects will be arraigned once ongoing investigations and profiling are concluded.

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EFCC Arrests Former Sokoto Governor Tambuwal Over Alleged ₦189bn Fraudulent Withdrawals

Former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, is in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at its Abuja headquarters over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals totalling ₦189 billion. According to EFCC sources, the transactions, allegedly carried out during Tambuwal’s tenure, are suspected to be in clear violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The former governor reportedly arrived at the EFCC office around 11:30 a.m. on Monday and was ushered in to face a panel of interrogators over the alleged financial infractions. Investigators have described the withdrawals as a major breach of financial regulations. As of press time, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.

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EFCC Arrests Tambuwal Over Alleged Withdrawals of N189B

Former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at its Abuja headquarters. Tambuwal is being quizzed over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals amounting to ₦189 billion, reportedly in clear breach of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. It was reliably gathered that the former governor arrived at the EFCC office around 11:30 a.m., where he was ushered in to face a panel of interrogators over the alleged financial infractions. The controversial withdrawals, said to have been made during his tenure, are being described by investigators as a significant violation of financial regulations. As of press time, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. The development marks the latest in a series of high-profile corruption probes involving former public office holders.

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NDLEA Nabs Notorious Drug Kingpin, Seizes Large Quantities of Narcotics in Nationwide Crackdown

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide offensive against drug trafficking, leading to the arrest of a 60-year-old cartel leader, Okpara Chigozie, who had evaded capture since 2019. The agency also intercepted international consignments concealed in food items, raided hotels distributing “party drugs,” and seized significant quantities of narcotics across multiple states. In a statement on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed that Chigozie was arrested at his hideout on Michael Ojo Street, Isheri, Ojo, Lagos, following the interception of a white Toyota Sienna carrying his illicit cargo on Sunday, July 13, along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. “Okpara, who has been on the NDLEA wanted list since 2019, was arrested after 7.6kg of cocaine and 900 grams of methamphetamine were discovered hidden in compartments of a space bus,” Babafemi said. The vehicle’s driver, Achebe Nnamdi (51), was also arrested, while a follow-up operation at Chigozie’s residence yielded an additional 1.8kg of cocaine and 1.3kg of methamphetamine. Major Busts at Lagos Airport At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, NDLEA operatives working with aviation security intercepted 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol from a passenger, Omoregie Uyiosa, heading to Italy on Wednesday, July 16. On Thursday, July 17, another attempt to smuggle 1.7kg of cannabis (skunk) disguised in packs of Golden Morn cereal to Pakistan was foiled, leading to the arrest of Chioba Robert Uchenna. Raids and Arrests Across States This sweeping crackdown highlights the NDLEA’s aggressive push to dismantle major drug networks and intercept both domestic and international trafficking routes.

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Court Jails Five Chinese for Cyberterrorism, Internet Fraud in Lagos

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, secured the conviction and sentence of five Chinese for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos The suspects are: Guo Qiang (aka Wu You You), Yang Shumei, Guo Zhi Yong, Zhang Gia Feng and Lu Yi Liang. They are among the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 19, 2024 in Lagos during a sting operation tagged ‘Eagle Flush Operation’ conducted by EFCC operatives. They were arraigned on separate charges bordering on cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. One of the charges reads: “That you, Guo Qiang (aka Wu You You) sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourabe Court, wilfully caused to be accessed computer system for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024]”. They initially pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against them. However, during Tuesday’s sitting, they all changed their “not guilty plea” to “guilty.” In view of this, the prosecution counsel, U.S Kyari, prayed the court to convict them as charged. All the defendants were sentenced to one year imprisonment, with a fine of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira). The judge also ordered that upon completion of their sentences, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, should ensure that they are repatriated to their country of origin within seven days.

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EFCC Submits Video to Prove Oyo-Ita Gave Confessional Statement Voluntarily

EFCC Submits Video to Prove Oyo-Ita Gave Confessional Statement Voluntarily

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented video evidence in court to support its claim that former Head of Service, Winifred Oyo-Ita, voluntarily wrote her confessional statement during a 2019 interrogation. The footage, submitted on June 30, 2025, during a trial-within-trial before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, was introduced by EFCC’s lead witness, Chief Superintendent Hamma Adama Bello. He said the video counters allegations that the statement was extracted under duress. Oyo-Ita is standing trial alongside aides Ugbong Effiok and Garba Umar, and six companies, over alleged diversion of ₦3 billion through fictitious contracts and financial misconduct. The trial resumes on October 14 and 16 to determine the admissibility of the statement.

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Lagos Court Jails Eight Filipinos for Cyber-terrorism, Internet Fraud

Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, convicted and sentenced eight Filipinos to one year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. The convicts are: Beverlyn Casino, Mae Eribal, Mary Grace Dela Cruz, Jamal Polea, Tricia Castro, Rai Camara, Cherry De Leon and Danica Jarapan. They were arraigned on Tuesday by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on separate charges of possession of fraudulent documents. One of the counts reads: “That you, Beverlyn Casino sometime in December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems organized to seriously destabilize and destroy the fundamental economic and social structure of Nigeria when you procured/employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain a financial advantage for yourselves and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As amended 2024) and Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.” They all pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to them. In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, N.K. Ukoha, prayed the court to convict the defendants as charged. Justice Owoeye convicted and sentenced the defendants to one year imprisonment each, with a fine of N1,000,000.00( One Million Naira). The Judge also ordered the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, to ensure that the convicts are repatriated to their country of origin within seven days upon completion of their sentences. The devices recovered from the defendants were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were arrested by operatives of the EFCC for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. They are among the 792 suspects rounded up in December 2024 in Victoria Island, Lagos. They were charged to court and jailed.

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EFCC Arraigns Benin City Socialite for Naira Abuse

The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, May 26, 2025 arraigned Kelly Okungbowa a.k.a Ebo Stone, a Benin City-based socialite before Justice C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court, sitting in Benin City on a two-count charge of Naira abuse and mutilation. Okungbowa is alleged to have on two different occasions while dancing with women in recreational centres in Benin City, sprayed a total of N300, 000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) and trampled on them in the process. Count one of his charge reads: “That you Kelly Okungbowa (m) sometime in November 2024 at Uyi Grand Marquee Event Centre, Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst dancing with “Mummy Shallipopi,” tampered with the total sum of N200,000 (two hundred thousand Naira) notes of N500 (five hundred Naira) denomination, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying the same and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act.” Count two reads: “That you Kelly Okungbowa (m) on or about the 9th day of March 2025 at a Lounge/Bar owned by you, located at lhama Road, Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst dancing with some young ladies, tampered with the total sum of N100,000 (one hundred thousand Naira) notes of N200 (two hundred Naira) denomination, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act.” He pleaded “not guilty” to the charge when it was read to him, following which prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo prayed the court for a trial date, while the defence counsel, C. B. Ogiegbaen informed the court of a pending bail application for the defendant which has been served on the prosecution. The court at this point stood down the case and when the matter came up again at about 4pm, the judge informed the parties that the day was far spent and adjourned the matter till Tuesday, May 27, 2025 and released the defendant to his lawyer upon undertaking in writing to produce him in court on the adjourned date for the consideration of his bail application.

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