EFCC Archives | Page 6 of 6

EFCC arrests 29 Suspected Internet fraudsters in Abuja

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago01 mins

Operatives of the Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 arrested 29 suspected internet fraudsters. They were arrested at several locations in the Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT following credible intelligence about their suspected involvement in internet fraud. 32 phones of different types were recovered from them. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Yahaya Bello not in our custody -EFCC

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago01 mins

The Economic and Financial Commission has refuted media claims that former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello is in the commission’s custody. The Head, Media and Publicity of Commission, Dele Oyewale made the rebuttal in a statement on Wednesday. “Media reports today (Wednesday) that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. “Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” the statement read.

EFCC arrests five Chinese for alleged Illegal Mining in Uyo

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago03 mins

Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, have arrested five suspected illegal Chinese miners at Ndito-Eka-Iba village, in Ibieno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The five alleged illegal miners were arrested by the “Special Task Force on illegal Mining” at the Commission’s Zonal office in Uyo, following credible intelligence on the illegal activities of foreign mining companies within Eket and Ibieno Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State. The arrested Chinese suspects are: Zhon Qinping arrested on September 10, 2024 at Ibieno Local Government Area, while Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou and Chen Zeng were arrested on August 29, 2024 at the same location. They were all arrested at an illegal mining site of a mineral suspected to be ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral. The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. llegal mining in Uyo Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, have arrested five suspected illegal Chinese miners at Ndito-Eka-Iba village, in Ibieno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The five alleged illegal miners were arrested by the “Special Task Force on illegal Mining” at the Commission’s Zonal office in Uyo, following credible intelligence on the illegal activities of foreign mining companies within Eket and Ibieno Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State. The arrested Chinese suspects are: Zhon Qinping arrested on September 10, 2024 at Ibieno Local Government Area, while Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou and Chen Zeng were arrested on August 29, 2024 at the same location. They were all arrested at an illegal mining site of a mineral suspected to be ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral. The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Olukoyede tasks Nigerians on monitoring of Constituency Projects

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago05 mins

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has called on Nigerians across the country to rise up to the task of monitoring constituency projects being embarked upon by their elected leaders in order to drive positive changes and development in their environments. He gave the charge in Kano while speaking at a “One -Day Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting on Fostering Transparency, Accountability and Citizens’ Participation In The Implementation Of Constituency Projects In Nigeria” hosted by the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies. According to him, sustainable development can only come when Nigerians take initiatives to interrogate projects being embarked upon by politicians in their respective constituencies. “We must recognize that true and lasting change comes when communities are empowered to hold their leaders accountable, particularly in the monitoring of constituency projects”, he said. Speaking on “Imperatives of Community Driven Anti-Corruption Fight: Enhancing Constituency Project Service Delivery in Nigeria” the EFCC boss took both politicians driving the projects and the people to task. To this end, he highlighted five crucial areas that will enhance accountable project delivery. They are “Community Engagement, Transparency in Funding and Execution, Strengthening Oversight Mechanisms, Public Access to Information and Partnership with Anti-Corruption Agencies”. “There must be deliberate efforts to involve communities in the identification of their priority projects. This ensures that projects are aligned with actual needs rather than being imposed or politically motivated”, he said. He also stressed that constituency project funds must be fully disclosed to the public and the details of the contractors, timelines, and budgets should be made available for community scrutiny. “This will not only promote transparency but also give communities the tools to monitor progress effectively”, he said. He equally stressed. the need for availability of public data on constituency projects in order for communities to have easy access to relevant information to help them make informed decisions about the projects in their areas. “When communities report discrepancies or suspected cases of corruption, these reports must be promptly investigated. By working together, we can build a feedback loop that ensures prompt action is taken against any corrupt practice”, he said. Olukoyede explained that corruption remained the bane of development in all sectors of the economy, stressing that it erodes public trust in government. “Corruption undermines development, erodes public trust, and stifles the very projects designed to uplift communities. Across the country, many Nigerians have voiced concerns about constituency projects that are meant to bring direct benefits to local communities through infrastructure, education, healthcare, and more. Unfortunately, the impact of corruption has, in some cases, hindered the full potential of these initiatives.”

Court jails internet fraudster in Enugu

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago03 mins

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu has convicted and jailed one Okwudili Joseph for fraud. He was prosecuted on a one-count charge bordering on impersonation and cybercrime by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The charge reads: “That you, Okwudili Joseph, on or about the 5th day of June, 2024 at Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated one Jim Warren, a gas detection specialist from the United States of America with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act.” He pleaded “guilty” when the charge was read to him, following which prosecution counsel, Mohammed Shehu reviewed the facts of the case and prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly, while the defence counsel, G. C. Ugwele prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, arguing that her client has become remorseful of his action and has learned his lesson as well. After listening to both sides, Justice Umar convicted and sentenced Joseph to two years imprisonment with hard labour or to pay a fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira). The convict’s road to jail began with his arrest by EFCC operatives on June 5, 2024 in Nike, Enugu, following credible intelligence that linked him to fraudulent internet activities. He admitted to the commission of the crime upon arrest and willingly tendered his confessional statements.

Court jails 17 Internet Fraudsters in Benin City

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago04 mins

Justice Igho Braimoh of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City has convicted and sentenced 17 internet fraudsters to various jail terms. The convicts are Oserei John Vianny, Osaro Moses, Desmond Okoduwa, Obi Isaac, Joshua Omoruyi, Iyabosa Omoruyi, Jeffery Omoruyi, Odion Alex Idada, Aisosa Aiyeki, Prosper Aimiomwona, Others are Cherish Omoruyi, Kelly Omoruyi, Victor Osaze, Obobor Moses, Timothy Ogie, Osemuahu Godspower, and Bonny Stephen. They were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on separate one-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence and possession of fraudulent documents. The charge against Oserei John Vianny reads: “That you Oserei John Vianny (m) on or about the 10th of June, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contained false pretence, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.” All the defendants pleaded “guilty” to their charges when they were read to them, prompting the prosecution counsel, I.K. Agwai, Ibrahim Faisal and Ahmed Salihu to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions. Justice Braimoh afterwards convicted and sentenced Vianny, Idada, Cherish Omoruyi, Kelly Omoruyi, Aiyeki, Obobor Moses and Osaro Moses to two years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each, while Iyobosa Omoruyi, Joshua Omoruyi, Aimiomwona, Ogie, Godspower, Stephen, Jeffery Omoruyi, Osaze and Isaac bagged three years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each. Desmond was handed three years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira). Furthermore, the judge ordered the forfeiture of a Toyota Camry, Mercedes Benz 350, Rav4 Toyota, Mercedes Benz C300 recovered from Desmond Okoduwa, Isaac, Aiyeki being proceeds of their crime to the federal government. In addition, all the convicts forfeited their phones, laptops, and money in their respective bank accounts to the federal government and undertook in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth. The convicts’ journey to the correctional centre began with their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC following credible intelligence on their involvement in fraudulent internet activities.

EFCC boss, Olukayode tasks Auditors on due diligence

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago04 mins

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has charged auditors across the country to always ensure due diligence and compliance in their operations. According to him, auditors are professional gate-keepers trained to keep watch over every system in order to achieve organizational goals through appropriate control measures. The EFCC’s boss spoke in Abuja at the weekend while receiving a team from the Institute of Internal Auditors, IIA, that came to the Commission’s headquarters on a Courtesy Visit. The team, led by Ibrahim A. Anas, applauded Olukoyede on his achievements since he resumed office. Speaking through the Director, Internal Audit, Commander of the EFCC, CE Idowu Oluwole-Apejoye, Olukoyede pointed out that auditors are crucial in preventing corruption and ensuring that systems work for the good of all. “Auditors are crucial in ensuring that our systems are working effectively. They must be diligent in their work to prevent corruption and ensure that our policies are followed,” he said. Affirming the Chairman’s commitment to due diligence, she stressed that, “The Executive Chairman is a compliance person who ensures due diligence and compliance in every aspect of what he does.” Director of Finance and Accounts, CE Ahmed Pate, also emphasized the importance of auditors in ensuring financial transparency. “Auditors play a critical role in ensuring that our financial systems are transparent and accountable. We must ensure that our financial reports are accurate and reliable.” Pate further advised the Institute to key into the national anti-corruption strategy of the Federal government of Nigeria. “You have members across the Federation in both government and private sectors, so ensure your members join by becoming whistleblowers in their various organizations.” Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman, CE Michael Nzekwe, emphasized the importance of auditors in ensuring that systems work for the good of all. “Any organization that wants to succeed must get it right from their account and audit. You are good, but if the audit is in a mess, you are finished.” Earlier, Anas called on EFCC’s internal auditors to join the Institute to enhance their performance in the Commission, promising that his Institute would provide standard guidelines for internal audit. “We have heard over time the Chairman saying that the cost of investigation is on the high side. As internal auditors, we are expected to put some control measures before those crimes actually take place”, he said.