The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has called on the Nigeria Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, to adhere to best practices in businesses and encourage its members to make integrity and ethical conduct their watchwords in their business engagements.
This charge was given in Abuja on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 by the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa while receiving a delegation of NACCIMA that paid a Courtesy Visit to the EFCC at its Corporate Headquarters. According to Bawa, who spoke through the Secretary to the Commission, George Ekpungu, the EFCC would always welcome business proposals that emphasize integrity and charged the leadership of NACCIMA to encourage its members to ply their businesses with eyes on best practices.
Earlier, the National President of NACCIMA, John Udeagbala, while explaining the rationale of his Association’s visit to the EFCC, sought exemption for its members from the rigorous processes of getting certificates of the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML.
“Our dear Association is aware of the suspension of the issuance of the Special Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML certificates. Over time, our members have complained of their difficulty in obtaining this certificate, which actually affected the ease of doing business and compliance with contractual engagements. We therefore appeal to you to use your good offices to exempt NACCIMA members from passing through the rigorous application processes when the suspension is finally lifted” he said.
Responding, Ekpungu explained that the EFCC suspended the issuance of SCUML’s certificates in the aftermath of the enactment of the Money Laundering Act 2022 and the Terrorism Act 2022, which altered the regulatory framework of SCUML. He said the foundational work had been done and the certificates were now being issued, assuring NACCIMA that the SCUML registration processes are designed to keep their businesses safe.
Udeagbala was accompanied on the visit by other officials of the Association, including Eze Chukwuemneka, Tony Esinkonenye, Usamn Abbas, among others

Media & Publicity
9 August, 2022

31 Arrested for Alleged Internet Fraud in Enugu
Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, arrested 31 suspected internet fraudsters from their hide out at Meniru Agbani Road and Diamond Estate, Enugu State. .
The suspects are: Daniel Chukwuemeka, Okechukwu Chisom, John Chizoba, Benard Uguochukwu, Nwobodo Christian, Nwiba Chukwuemeka, Eze Ani Ifechukwu, Chikwe James, Emmanuel Chukwuebuka, Ezugwu Chidera, Friday Daniel, Destiny Ekene, Prosper Nnachetam, Justice Chinedu and Bright Chimezie.
Others include Ezugu Nkejika, Echi Ikechukwu, Udeh Emeka, Charles Kosisochukwu, Ojinaka Smith, Ekene Chukwuebuka, Efe Samuel, Goodness Ifeanyi, Victory Anointing, Uche Egbo, Onuigbo Kingsley, Okakpu Chukwuemeka, Nnamdi Odo, Mbah Emmanuel, Collins Nweke and Jason Obi.
Their arrest was facilitated by actionable intelligence on their cybercrime activities.
Items recovered from them include a Mercedes Benz C4000, one Toyota Corolla 2005 model, a Toyota Camry, several mobile phones and laptops.
They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is completed.

Media & Publicity
9 August, 2022

Internet Fraudster Bags Jail Term in Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Command of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today, August 9, 2022 secured the conviction and sentencing of an internet fraudster, Olamilekan Wasiu Durojaiye, before Justice Mojisola Dada of a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
Justice Dada sentenced the convict to one year imprisonment on a two-count charge bordering on possession of document containing false pretence brought against him by the EFCC.
Upon his arraignment today, he pleaded guilty to the offence.
One of the counts reads, “that you, Olamilekan Wasiu Durojaiye sometime in 2020 within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly had in your possession documents containing false pretence to wit: SCAM FORMAT titled Celebrity Billing Format and committed an offence contrary to section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015”.
The 2nd count reads, “that you,, Olamilekan Wasiu Durojaiye sometime in 2020 within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly had in your possession documents containing false pretence to wit: Chat format wherein you pretended to be a white woman which representation you knew were false and committed an offence contrary to section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2015”.
In view of his guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, A.O Mohammed, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered documents to further prove the guilt of the defendant.
Justice Dada found him guilty of the offence and sentenced him to one year imprisonment on both counts of the charge. The Judge also granted him an option of fine in the sum of One Million Naira.
The convict was also ordered to pay a restitution of Seven Hundred Thousand Naira and forfeit his mobile device to the Federal Government.

Media & Publicity
9 August, 2022

EFCC Arraigns Three for N44.5m Fraud in Sokoto
The Sokoto Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Tuesday, 9th August, 2022 arraigned the duo of Yahaya Abdulrahman and Mohammad Iliyasu alongside their company, Azzumee Multipurpose Cooperative Society, before Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Sokoto State High Court on a three count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, issuance of a dud cheque in the sum of N4, 859,000.00 and obtaining by false pretence.
The duo are alleged to have fraudulently induced the petitioner to supply 1,651 bags of rice to their company at the cost of N27, 000.00 per bag totalling N44,577,000.00 (Forty-four Million Five Hundred and Seventy-seven Thousand Naira only) and jointly issued cheques of N14, 359,000.00 (Fourteen Million Three Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand Naira) in the name of the petitioner, which one returned unpaid due to insufficient funds standing to the credit of the drawer.
Count one reads: “That you, Yahaya Abdulrahman while being the Chairman of Azzumee Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Mohammad Iliyasu while being a Director and Vice Chairman of Azzumee Multipurpose Cooperative Society and Azzumee Multipurpose Cooperative Society sometime in November, 2020 at Sokoto within the Judicial Division of the High Court of Justice, Sokoto State did conspire among yourselves to commit an illegal act to wit: Criminal Breach of Trust and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 59(a) of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law, 2019 and punishable under Section 60(2) of the same Law.”
Count two reads: “That you, Yahaya Abdulrahman while being the Chairman of Azzumee Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Mohammad Iliyasu while being a Director and Vice Chairman of Azzumee Multipurpose Cooperative Society and Azzumee Multipurpose Cooperative Society sometime in March, 2021 at Sokoto within the Judicial Division of the High Court of Justice, Sokoto State with knowledge that you have insufficient funds in your account issued to one IMUDAN Ventures a Stanbic IBTC Bank cheque number 00000061 dated 5th March, 2021 for the sum of N4,859,000.00 (Four Million Eight Hundred and Fifty-nine Thousand Naira) which said cheque when presented was dishonored due to insufficient funds in your account and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Dishonored Cheques ( Offences) Act, CAP D11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 1(1) (b) of the same Act”.
They all pleaded not guilty to the three count charge. Prosecution counsel S.H Sa’ad then prayed the Court to allow the hearing to commence as two witnesses were in Court, ready to testify. But defence counsel, Y.Y Bazawa urged the court to grant his clients bail.
Justice Mohammed granted the defendants bail in the sum of N5, 000, 000, 00 and one surety each in like sum. The surety must be a resident of the Sokoto metropolis and own landed property in the city. The surety must also deposit a passport photograph with the registrar of the Court
The Judge adjourned the matter till 26th September, 2022 for trial

Media & Publicity
9 August, 2022

EFCC Arrests 8 Internet Fraud Suspect in Port Harcourt
Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested eight suspected internet fraudsters. They were nabbed on Tuesday August 9, 2022, in a sting operation at Visa Karina Hotel, located at the New Government Reserved Area, GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The suspects: Mba Richard Oguge, Ogochukwu Ifeanyi Charles, Fredrick Mba, Gospel Uduak James, Charles Chukwuemeka, Daniel Ekanem Daniel, Andikan Udofot and Omolade Fortune, were arrested with incriminating items in their devices (mobile phones, laptop computers and apple wrist watches).
Cars were also among the items recovered from them.
They will soon be charged to court.

Media & Publicity
9 August, 2022
Again, EFCC Busts Yahoo Hideouts, Arrests 18 in Lokoja
As part of efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to curb the rising wave of internet related fraud otherwise known as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo’, the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Commission have again extended its dragnet to Kogi State leading to the arrest of 18 suspected ‘Yahoo-Yahoo Boys’ in Lokoja, the state capital.
This is the second such operation in the State within the last two months. Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC, had in June 2022 arrested 19 suspected fraudsters at different locations in Lokoja.
The latest arrest, which was made on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 followed actionable intelligence received by the Commission.
Among the suspects are two siblings – Bala Caleb Abdulkarim and Ayuba Bala. Others are Adebayo Olubunmi, Yusuf Salawu, Victor Yakubu, Victor Udeh, Abutu Francis, Moses Akeji, Aiyegbe ThankGod, Eniola Adeniji, Abraham Ayodele, Julius Omowale, Samuel Onojah, Saka Usman Ojo, Isaac Emmanuel, Yusuf Mohammed, Ibrahim Musa and Omaonu Ojochenemi Victor.
Preliminary investigations have shown that the suspects operate as a syndicate to scam unsuspecting victims.
The suspected ‘Yahoo-Yahoo Boys’, had incriminating items in their possession including five different brands of exotic cars, phones and laptops. They have volunteered statements to the Commission and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations.

Media & Publicity
9 August, 2022
29 Arrested for Alleged Internet Fraud in Ibadan
Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 arrested twenty-nine (29) internet fraud suspects in a sting operation at Omi-Adio area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The suspects are Abdullahi Kehinde Tawab, Ayomide Alase Abiodun, Hassan Larla Olamilekan, Makinde Adebowale Saheed, Tofunmi Oyebade Segun, Rotimi Gbadamosi Ayomide, Igbamidun Joshua Olamiposi, Gbadamosi Samson Tobiloba, Qodir Ayoola Babalola, Frank Obi Ogechukwu, Olawale Abowaba Joshua, Dauda Kareem Oladayo, Hammed Dauda Akanji, Yusuf Akorede Abiodun and Haruna Adedoyin Kayode.
Others include Yusuf Lawale Raji, Adejare Ayuba Olamide, Owolabi Gbadamosi Moses, Victor Salami Gbenga, Abdullahi Teslim Taiwo, Oluwaseun Abowaba Samuel, Alase Ayodele Philip, Oduola Kunmi Ireola, Ajayi Olumide Olamilekan, Opeyemi Samuel Enitan, Yusuf Ayobami Qudus, Atanda Jamiu Olamide, Ibrahim Bashit Alade and Ilori Peter Oladapo.
Items recovered from them include mobile phones, laptops, two motor-bikes, one i-watch, video games and jewelry.
They will be charged to court as soon as the investigations are concluded

Court Sends Internet Fraudster to Jail in Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on August 8, 2022, secured the conviction of one Yusuf Adetokunbo, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for offence bordering on possession of documents containing false pretence.
Adetokunbo was arraigned on a one-count charge dated July 22, 2022, bordering on possession of documents containing false pretenses contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The count reads: “That you, Yusuf Olawale Adetokunbo on or about the 29th April, 2022 at Lagos, within the Ikeja jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with the intent to defraud had in your possession a bundle of fraudulent chats containing false pretence in your Google voice app and email with the name phamhoangcungnai30@gmail.com which pretence you knew or ought to know to be false.”
He pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.
The prosecuting counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, thereafter gave a review of the facts.
He further tendered in evidence the fraudulent documents printed from his iPhone X and iPhone 6+, as well as a draft of N200,000 issued as restitution by the defendant.
There was no objection by the defence counsel, Kayode Oyedele, and they were admitted as Exhibit A and B.
“We urge the court to convict the defendant as charged and to forfeit to the Federal Government the items recovered from him,” Omewa said.
Thereafter, Justice Taiwo convicted him as charged and sentenced him to six months at a Custodial Centre, with an option of N150, 000 fine. Items recovered from him were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government

Media & Publicity
9 August, 2022

EFCC Secures Conviction of Eleven Cybercriminals in Ibadan
The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on August 3 and 4, 2022 secured the conviction of eleven (11) cybercriminals on separate charges of fraudulent impersonation before Justices Olusola Adetujoye and Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan.
The offences are contrary to Section 419 and 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Law of Oyo State, 2000.
Justice Adetujoye convicted and sentenced Fatai Musbau Opeyemi, Ayodele Olumide Sunday, Oribolawa Idris Abiodun, Abdulahi Malek Olaniyi, Onigbinde Rasaq Oyindamola and Emmanuel Victor Mayowa to various jail terms; while Justice Taiwo convicted Moses Oyowevotu Oghenaire, Awwal Babatunde Arekemase, Adewale Ayomipo Owolabi, Yusuf David Olamide and Atitade Hassan Ajao.
The defendant pleaded “guilty” to the charges filed against them, leading to their conviction and sentencing.
Justice Adetujoye sentenced Oyindamola and Abiodun to six months community service each; Mayowa who was convicted on a two count charge bagged three months jail term while Opeyemi, Sunday and Olaniyi were sentenced to three months community service each.
Furthermore, Justice Taiwo sentenced Oghenaire, Arekemase, Owolabi, Olamide and Ajao to six months community service each.
Also, the court ordered that the convicts restitute their victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Media & Publicity
8 August, 2022
EFCC Arrests 3 Internet Fraud Suspects at Ilorin International Airport
As part of its renewed onslaught against corruption and illegal movement of cash through the nation’s airports, operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested three internet fraud suspects at the Ilorin International Airport.
They are Olawale Ipadeola, Opeyemi Badmus and Wasiu Babatunde.
The suspects were arrested on Monday, August 8, 2022 except for Wasiu who was arrested on Saturday, August 6, 2022 following actionable intelligence.
Two of the suspects (Olawale and Opeyemi), flew in from Lagos around 1156hours into the waiting hands of the operatives of the EFCC at the airport.
Preliminary investigations have shown that the suspects possessed several fraudulent documents on their devices.
The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations.

Media & Publicity
8 August, 2022