Seven suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Enugu (photos)

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu Zonal Office have arrested seven suspected internet fraudsters.

 

The suspects, Laure Anya, Benjamin Okoro, Eze Emmanuel, Oko Francis, Ubah Samuel, Uwandu Michael, and Akpan Itoro were arrested following actionable intelligence.

 

 

They were nabbed on April 16, at a popular hotel in the Nkponkiti – Ogui New Layout area of Enugu.

 

The commission disclosed in a statement that they are suspected to be members of a syndicate of fraudsters who specialized in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public, mostly foreigners through internet and computer-related fraud.

 

 

Some incriminating materials recovered from them include mobile phones and laptops.

 

According to EFCC, the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

 

Amotekun arrests suspected killers of Ondo monarch

Suspected killers of  Israel Adeusi, the Olufon of Ifon in Ose local government area of the state have been arrested by the Ondo state chapter of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun. 

 

Commander of the state’s Amotekun corps, Adetunji Adeleye disclosed this on Wednesday December 2 and also revealed that the suspects were arrested by a combined team of security operatives that stormed Elegbaka forest after the incident.

 

Adeleye said three victims were rescued during the operation. He said; 

 

“We combed the forest in Elegbeka and we are able to arrest some suspects and they are undergoing interrogation. We rescued three victims from the Elegbeka forest on the same night that the traditional ruler of Ifon was killed. 

“On the recent kidnap in the state, our men, in collaboration with the conventional security agencies, local hunters, vigilantes and the OPC went into the forest and we were able to make some arrests and those arrested are undergoing various levels of interrogation

“In the past few weeks, Ondo State had witnessed increase in kidnappings, armed robbery and men of the Amotekun Corps went into action in collaboration with other security agencies.

“We observed a downward trend after banning motorcyclist (okada) at night so we had to change tactics. That was why we launched the Operation Clean Up, which is intense patrol across the nook and crannies of Akure and other parts of the state.

“We arrested about 15 suspects during the ‘Operation Clean Up’ that we commenced yesterday (Tuesday). Most of these criminals would be turned over to the conventional security agencies for prosecution where necessary.”

EFCC arrests nine suspected internet fraudsters in Abeokuta

Nine suspected internet fraudsters have been arrested in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital by some operatives of the Economic and Financial crimes commission. 

 

The suspects who were arrested during an early morning raid at their hideout at Aaya Camp on Wednesday Cctober 14, have been identified as Tobi Idowu; Gbeminiyi Samuel; Adekunle Gafar; Wusu Taiwo; Agbabaidan Idris; Olaiya Olamide; Adediran Rotimi; Ikegbuka Junior and Ridwan Garuba.

 

They are said to be between the ages of 21 and 31. The anti-graft further disclosed that they were arrested following sustained surveillance and intelligence on suspected cyber crime activities in the spot.

 

Items recovered from them include two cars, laptops, phones, internet routers and automated teller machine (ATM) cards. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Teacher arrested for allegedly raping 15-year-old pupil in Ogun (photo)

The police in Ogun Police Command have arrested Mathew Adebayo, a teacher in a private secondary school, for allegedly defiling a 15-year-old- student of the school.

 

A statement released by the spokesperson of the state police command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, says the 26-year-old teacher was apprehended after the proprietress of the school reported to Sango-Ota Police Station that she was informed by one of the female SS3 students Adebayo had repeatedly raped her since the resumption of the school in preparation for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) examination.

 

According to Oyeyemi, the proprietor further said

”The teacher intimidated the victim by telling her that she would not pass her examination, if she didn’t allow him have sex with her. Consequence upon which he has been calling her out of the dormitory in the night and taking her to a classroom where he used to have carnal knowledge of her.

When the victim could no longer bear the sexual assault of the randy teacher, she decided to inform the proprietress.

Upon the report, the Divisional Police Officer(DPO) of Sango Division, Mr Godwin Idehai, a Chief Superintendent of Police(CSP) detailed his detectives to the scene where the suspect was promptly arrested. He has since then made a confessional statement admitting the commission of the crime.”

 

The spokesperson said the victim has been taken to hospital where she is currently receiving medical attention.

 

He added that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Edward A. Ajogun ,has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the Anti- human trafficking and child labour unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department(SCIID) for further investigation and prosecution.

EFCC arrests 15 suspected fraudsters in Lekki

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 15 suspected fraudsters following a raid carried out at Ayo Babatunde Crescent and James Adejumo areas of Lekki.

 

EFCC's spokesperson, Dele Oyewale said the 15 suspects are believed to be members of Organized Cyber Criminal Syndicate Network (OCCSN). The suspects are identified as Sunday Okpe, Taiwo Adelagun, Obarakyo Tega, Fasuyi Oladapo, Mark Adedeji Kuju, Adelakun Kehinde Adewunmi, Temitope Gabriel Onore, Christopher Blessed, Aniche Ezenwa Francis, Abiodun Godspower Odion, Abiodun ThankGod Omoh, Raji Ayo Sheriff, Adeogun Babatunde, Olusesi Razaq Demola and Kole Adetoyinbo. 

 

It was also gathered that during the raid, the suspects tried to destroy evidence by flushing their mobile devices into the toilet, burning some and throwing their laptops into a nearby bush and lagoon. 

Pastor arrested after impregnating two underage sisters and defrauding their mother of N2m

The General Overseer of Church of Lord, Olomore in Abeokuta, Ebenezer Ajigbotoluwa has been arrested by the Ogun state police for raping and impregnating two underage sisters, and also defrauding their mother of two million naira he claimed was for “spiritual cleansing.”

 

Ajigbotoluwa was arrested after the mother of the victims (name withheld) filed a complaint at Lafenwa police station.

 

The pastor reportedly asked the woman to relocate her entire family of six to the church premises to avoid being afflicted with the same sickness. He started having sex with the woman's 16-year-old and 13-year-old daughters thereafter. 

 

However after impregnating them, he procured abortion for them at a private clinic. Ogun state police spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi who confirmed the arrest of the suspect said; 

 

“Upon the report, the DPO Lafenwa division CSP Muraina Ayilara, led his men to the church but the place has been deserted. The CP then directed that the suspect be hunted for and brought to book. In compliance with the CP,s directive, the DPO and his men embarked on intelligence and technical-based investigation, and their efforts paid off when the prophet was arrested on the 6th of August 2020 at about 5 a.m"

 

Assorted charms were also recovered from Mr Ajigbotoluwa’s home and it was further gathered that he said he ran away because most of the allegations against him are true. 

 

The suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation.

Police arrests man who allegedly stole an iPhone 11 from a passenger in a tricycle and attempted to bribe police when he was caught

The Lagos State Police have arrested a man who allegedly stole an iPhone 11 from a passenger in a keke napep.

 

The police said the theft occured two weeks ago but they caught the alleged thief this afternoon, August 7, in Ipaja after the victim saw the suspect, recognized him, and started screaming.

 

Police officers on patrol were alerted and they chased after the alleged iPhone 11 thief and eventually caught him.

 

The police also alleged that the man offered them bribe to free him after he was caught.

 

He has been taken to the Ipaja police station for further investigation.

 

 

Husband dies of shock after he and his wife were defrauded of N5m by fake herbalist

The Ogun state police command has arrested a 37-year-old national of Benin Republic, Gbese Peter for allegedly defrauding a couple, Mr and Mrs Bamigboye Alao of N5 million under the pretense of helping them overcome their spiritual problems and shielding their children from untimely death.

 

The command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi said the suspect was arrested following a complaint lodged at Sabo Police Station by Mrs Bamigboye. 

 

He said; 

 

“The suspect was arrested following the complaint lodged at Sabo police station by Mrs Bamigboye who reported that she and her husband met the suspect about five years ago when he started discussing with them about a serious spiritual calamity (problem) awaiting them and their children if an urgent spiritual step is not taken.

"Out of fear of the unknown, they agreed to embark on the said spiritual journey and he took them to the Republic of Benin where he gave them a wooden coffin which he instructed them not to open until he asked them to do so.

"She stated further that the suspect started collecting money from them until they coughed out the total sum of N5 million. When they realised that they have been swindled, the shock led to the death of her husband”.

 

Upon being arrested and interrogated, the suspect confessed to collecting money under false pretense from the couple, but claimed that he only duped them of N3.5 million and not N5 million as claimed by the woman. Gbese further disclosed that he used the money to build a house for himself.

 

A wooden coffin containing white cloth and other substances, a horn wrapped with white cloth and beads were recovered from the suspect. 

 

The Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Ajogun, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for proper investigation and diligent prosecution.

A King, his cousin, a pastor and others arrested for kidnapping in Imo state (photos)

The Imo State police command has arrested a traditional ruler and 7 others for allegedly kidnapping a police inspector and others in Imo State.

 

The traditional ruler, Eze Andrew Okwuegbunwa of Uba -Agwa autonomous community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, was yesterday, August 3, paraded alongside his cousin, a pastor and others for allegedly kidnapping one police inspector, Oscar Mbaeri and Louis Obodo all from same community.

 

Other victims of the gang, according to the State police Commissioner of Police, Isaac Akinmoyede who briefed newsmen on the development yesterday, are : Chigozirim Festus, from Egwelu Atta, Njaba, Anyanwu Amarachi and Desmond Okonkwo.

 

 

According to the CP, the gang at different locations in Owerri, successfully kidnapped their victims but they were not lucky enough to escape from the hot chase of the Anti – kidnapping Unit of the command who got a hint of their operation.

 

During the chase , the suspects were forced to abandon three of their victims and their operational vehicle , a Lexus RX330 SUV with registration number (Edo) URM -40 EL but escaped with two victims.

 

However, few months later, according to the commissioner, SARS operatives arrived the scene and recovered the abandoned vehicle.

 

A painstaking investigation by a combined team of the SARS and the Anti- Kidnapping Unit on July 28 later led to the arrest of the 59-year-old King, who has since confessed to be the owner of the car.

 

According to the CP, investigation has revealed that the monarch has constantly made available his vehicle for the gang operation.

 

Akinmoyede further disclosed that from investigation, it was learnt that the monarch was given N3 million from the N7. 5 million ransom collected from their victims to replace his damaged car.

 

When newsmen accosted the monarch to hear his own side of the report, he confessed hiring his vehicle to the gang and receipt of the money.

 

 

He said: "I don’t know that is what they use it for , but they give me money each time they return it, I have collected money from them three or four times like this."

 

The police also arrested the spiritual father of the gang, pastor Caleb Agu, a 42-year-old cleric from Umuoni – Agwa. They also arrested a cousin to the monarch, Ebenezer Obioha, 38 and his pregnant wife, Ogechi Obioha a graduate of accountancy from Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri believed to be their cook and banker.

 

 

Ebenezer in a recent operation was said to have killed three National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) officials and made away with their guns.

Pastor arrested for allegedly raping his co-pastor's 11-year-old daughter in Imo

The Imo state police command has arrested one Pastor Joseph Anthony of the Living Faith Church in Njaba, a community in the state, for allegedly raping one Favour Chikanma, the 11-year-old daughter of his fellow pastor, one Pastor Chukwuma Okoronkwo. 

 

A statement from the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Orlando Ikeokwu, says that Anthony was arrested on July 13.

 

''Preliminary investigations revealed that the said Pastor Chukwuma Okoronkwo accommodated Pastor Joseph Anthony in their house and on the day of the incident, the said Pastor Joseph Anthony took advantage of the fact that he was at home alone with the victim and had canal knowledge of her.

Investigation is at advanced stage. He will be charged to court accordingly.'' the statement read

 

In a related development, the police have also arrested a 38-year-old man identified as Ifeanyi Nwaogu, for allegedly raping a 10-year-old girl, Chisom Ohanyere.

 

According to the police spokesperson, on July 4, Nwaogu was arrested for defiling Chisom. Investigation by the police revealed that the victim was running an errand for her mom when the suspect saw her pretending as if he wanted to send her on an errand and then forcefully dragged her into the bush and allegedly had canal knowledge of her.

 

Ikeowku said investigation has reached an advanced stage and that the suspect will be charged to court soon.

Woman allegedly defrauds victims of N179m then spends N1m on tithe and N139m on sport betting

A woman, Nkechi Mercy Ikogwe alongside two companies, Elites Finance Investment Limited and Efinc Global Investment Limited, were on Monday July 20, arraigned before Justice E.A. Obile of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over alleged N179 million fraud.

 

EFCC arraigned them on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

 

The woman was said to have used the sum of N139,704,097 of the N179 million to play sport betting and also paid a tithe of N1 million to a church in Port Harcourt.

 

One of the counts against the defendants read: “That you Nkechi Mercy Ikogwe, Elites Finance Investment Limited and Efinc Global Investment Limited sometime in 2019 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this honorable court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N179,326,386.62 by inducing unsuspecting members of the public to invest with your companies: Elites Finance Investment Limited and Efinc Global Investment Limited, assuring them under a false pretence of making 15% interest on all investment made, a representation you knew to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

 

Justice Obile ordered that the 1st defendant, Ikogwe, be remanded in prosecution’s custody and adjourned the matter till October 19, 2020 for determination of the bail application.

 

Mercy ran into trouble when the commission received a report about the defendant and two others, accusing them of inducing their victims into participating in a fraudulent investment scheme with a fake promise of 15 per cent return on investment.

CAC pastor arrested for allegedly raping his daughter in Ogun (photo)

44-year-old Pastor Oluwafemi Oyebola of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Ogo Oluwa parish in Ogun state, has been arrested by men of the state police command for allegedly raping his daughter on several occasions, getting her pregnant three times and forcing her to go through abortions each time.

 

The accused pastor was arrested following a complaint by his 24-year-old daughter. The victim had reported at the Owode-Egbado divisional headquarters that her father has been forcefully having sex with her since 2015 shortly after the demise of her mother. She told the Police that she got pregnant for her father three times but he took her to a nurse who terminated the pregnancies, each time .

 

She told the police that after the third pregnancy was terminated, her father did family planning for her so as not to get pregnant any longer. She got tired of his evil act and summoned the courage to report an NGO, Advocacy For Children And Vulnerable Persons Network who led her to the police station.

 

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the pastor was immediately arrested after the case was reported at the police station.

"On interrogation, the suspect made a confessional statement that all that his daughter said was nothing but the whole truth.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kenneth Ebrimson, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the Anti-human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for further investigation and prosecution" Oyeyemi said

EFCC arraigns Abia big boy, Jeff Sikora for $8.5m U.S bank scam

The Port Harcourt zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Onwuzuruike Kingsley Ikenna (a.k.a Nwanta Anayoeze Yonaracha) over alleged internet fraud.

 

Onwuzuruike Kingsley Ikenna, popularly known as Jeff Sikora or as Nwanta Anayoeze Yonaracha, paraded himself as a self-styled President/ Chief Executive Officer of United States-based Prime Trust Credit Union Bank.

 

Recall that back in February, Ikenna went live on Facebook to boast that he has been released hours after being paraded by the EFCC for allegedly being involved in Business Email Compromise (BEC) and identity fraud (Read here).

 

Well, on June 30, he was arraigned before Justice A.T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on an eight count charge bordering on conspiracy, impersonation, forgery, possession of proceeds and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of Eight Million, Five Hundred and Two Thousand Dollars ($8,502,000.00).

 

 

According to EFCC, the offence contravenes Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

 

One of the counts read: "That you, Onwuzuruike Ikenna Kingsley (aka Jeff Sikora), on or about December 28, 2019, in Umuahia, Abia State, within the jurisdiction of this court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of $6, 500,000.00 through web transfer from one Mr. Selah Elnagar Ali Ahmed, a citizen of Egypt, with the pretence that he is a beneficiary of inheritance funds in a fixed deposit account of Prime Trust Financial Bank in United States, a pretext you knew to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act."

 

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

 

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, M.T Iko, asked the court for a short adjournment.

 

However, defence counsel, R.E. Wanogho, informed the court of a pending application for the bail of the defendant.

 

Iko, however, opposed the application on the grounds that he was only served the application that same morning and needed time to study and respond to it.

 

Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter till July 3, 2020, for hearing, and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody.

 

Kingsley ran into trouble following actionable intelligence received by the commission on his alleged fraudulent activities. This led to the arrest of the defendant on January 26, 2020, by operatives of the EFCC at his residence on Uzuakoli Road, Umuahia, Abia State.

 

Ikenna’s speciality is allegedly Business Email Compromise (BEC) and identity fraud. His victims allegedly include a major United States bank. Properties linked to the suspects include a mansion, a petrol station and 9 units of three bedroom apartments, all in Umuahia, Abia State and a palatial bungalow in his village.

Pastor arrested for allegedly raping 16-year-old girl inside his church

The Akwa Ibom Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old pastor identified as Nnamso Friday Jacob a.k.a ‘Major Prophet Honesty Jesus,’ for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl inside his church. 

 

The 16-year-old girl who went in for “counselling and deliverance” fixed by the Pastor, was reportedly drugged and raped at Jacob's church, the Living Power of Zion Church located at Ndue Eduo, Okon Eket, Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state. 

 

Police spokesperson in the state, N-nudam Fredrick said the incident occurred on June 23. He said; 

“While she was in the prophet’s counselling room, the suspect administered an intoxicating liquid substance to the victim and thereafter took advantage of the victim and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her."

 

Fredrick further revealed that Jacob is the second pastor to be arrested for rape in the state in less than a month. 

Father rapes his 3-yr-old daughter while his wife was in the labor room; blames his actions on evil spirits

A 43-year-old father has been arrested for allegedly raping his 3-year-old daughter while his wife was in the hospital to deliver their child.

 

Mr Ikechukwu Ekenta, from Ikeduru- Ogwah, Mbaitolu Local Government Area of Imo state, is accused of defiling his daughter, Kamsiyochukwu Ekenta on 28th of April 2020, when her mother put to bed.

 

Narrating her ordeal, little Kamsimyochukwu, who is 3 years and 10 months old, said her daddy put his "komkom" (Penis) inside her private part while she was asleep. She said the pain woke her up.

 

 

Speaking at the Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka, the alleged rapist Mr Ikechukwu Ekenta said he was pushed by an evil spirit to commit the act.

 

He said whenever the spirit possesses him, he starts behaving abnormally. He said that on that fateful day, he used his finger to defile the girl as the urge came.

 

 

The wife of the alleged rapist, Mrs Uzoamaka Ekenta, while explaining how she found out, said that on her return from the hospital, she noticed her child was acting like she was in pain while bathing her. She questioned the girl and she accused her dad of penetrating her.

 

Mrs Ekenta said she asked her husband what transpired and he admitted committing the crime but claimed he used his finger. They took the girl to the hospital where it was noticed that he used his penis, not his hands as he claimed.

 

She stated that she complained to her husband's parents but they threatened to deal with her if she tells anyone.

 

 

The Commissioner For Women And Children Affairs, Lady Ndidi Mezue reacted to the incident. She said it is an abominable act, condemnable in all ramifications. She added that the child is still in pains.

 

Lady Ndidi said that on receiving the information from the whistleblower, they rushed to the residence of the rapist at 33 area near Onitsha and apprehended him together with the help of the men of Department of State Services. She said he will face the full weight of the law.

Vulcaniser arrested for stealing his customer's panties for ritual purposes in Ogun

A 22-year-old vulcanizer, Dele Ope, has been arrested for allegedly stealing an underwear belonging to a female customer at her home in Ogun state.

 

A statement released by the Ogun state police command spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the lady had called Ope to help fix her car’s deflated tyre in her house. However after Ope had fixed the tyre and left, she discovered that her panties spread on a rope within the compound was missing. 

 

It was gathered that a search for the vulcanizer began immediately, being the only one who came into the compound at the time.

“Since the vulcanizer was the only person, who came into the compound, she went round in search of him, but he was nowhere to be found,” the PPRO stated.

 

The police spokesperson said the lady immediately reported the matter at the Warewa Police Division. The Divisional Police Officer, SP Folake Afeniforo, detailed some officers to go in search of the vulcanizer. His house was searched and the lady's panties was recovered there.

 

"On interrogation, the suspect confessed to stealing the underwear with the intention of taking it to a herbalist for a money-making ritual,” Oyeyemi said.

 

Ogun Commissioner of Police, CP Kenneth Ebrimson, has directed that the suspect be charged to court immediately investigation is concluded.

Imam's son arrested for allegedly stabbing his friend to death over a stolen phone

The police in Lagos state have arrested Abdulrahman Olayiwola, son of the Chief Imam of Isale Oja community in Agege, for allegedly stabbing his friend, identified simply as Pelumi, to death during an argument over a stolen phone.

 

According to police sources, Pelumi had given Abdulrahman a stolen phone to keep for him. An argument ensued between the both of them as Abdulrahman allegedly refused to release the phone to Pelumi when he demanded for it. It took the intervention of Pelumi's girlfriend and Abdulrahman's sister for him to give Pelumi back the phone.

 

However, an argument ensued between both men the following day and it quickly degenerated into a fight. In the process, Abdulrahman allegedly picked up a broken bottle a stabbed his friend, Pelumi, in the neck which resulted in his death.

 

Officers at the Isokoko police station were alerted and Abdulrahman was arrested while the body of Pelumi was deposited in the morgue.

 

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the state police command, Bala Elkana, said Abdulrahman is in police custody while two more suspects have been arrested over the incident.

 

Reacting to claims that there were plans to release Abdulrahman to his parents, Bala said an investigation is currently ongoing, and that if Abdulrahaman has a hand in the murder of Pelumi, he will be charged to court and if he doesn't, he will be released. He said the police is carrying out an autopsy on the remains of late Pelumi.

EFCC arrests 16 suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ogun, Lagos (Photos)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal office, have arrested suspected internet fraudsters  in Ota, Ogun State, and Victoria Island, Lagos.

 

The suspected internet fraudsters arrested during the raid in Ota, Ogun State are Adeshina Michael; Ayeni Emiloju; Odenigbo Anthony, Afolabi Gbenga, and Oyibogbola David Seun.

 

Those arrested in Victoria Island, Lagos are Onothebor Edmond; Suuru Blessing; Ifedapo Opeyemi; Samson Samuel, Oguntade Idowu, and Emmanuel Akinyemi. Others are: Seyi Kazeem; Sulaiman Toheed; Oduwale Oluwasesan, Adewoye Oluwasesan, and Alex Abiodun.

Their arrest followed intelligence received about their alleged involvement in internet fraud. Items recovered from the suspects include different brands of cars allegedly acquired from the proceeds of fraudulent activities.

 

They would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

EFCC arrests Social Media Influencer, Adedamola Adewale and four others for Internet Fraud (photos)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal office, has arrested five alleged internet fraudsters, including one Adedamola Adewale, a self-acclaimed social media influencer for their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud.

 

The five suspects were apprehended in different areas of Lagos during a raid by operatives.

 

Adewale, 20, and his accomplice, Lamina Hamzat Ajibola, were arrested at the Agungi area of Lekki, Lagos State, while Israel Onyebuchi, Emmanuel Olayode and Valentine Nwokorie were picked up at the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.

 

 

According to the commission, the arrest of Adewale and Ajibola was sequel to intelligence linking them to online fraudulent activities with two brothers, Lasisi Wasiu Adeleke and Lasisi Riliwan Adeniyi, who are at large. They were arrested at a four-bedroom duplex belonging to the two run-away fraudsters.

 

Intelligence also linked them with ''flamboyant lifestyles.''

 

During interrogation, Adewale AKA “Adeherself”reportedly confessed to being a picker” in cybercrimes.

 

Items recovered from the suspects include two Toyota Camry 2009 model cars, and a sum of N9,000,000.00 (Nine Million Naira only), which was found in Adewale’s account.

 

The other suspects; Onyebuchi, Olayode, and Nwokorie were arrested for their alleged involvement in a romance scam. They were arrested during another raid, following a separate intelligence.

 

Investigation revealed that Nwokorie was posing as a female American citizen and sending photos as a porn star to defraud his victim while Onyebuchi was engaging in a love scam as well as forging foreign cheques.

 

Items recovered from the suspects include laptops and mobile phones. All the suspects will soon be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Singer and pianist arrested for robbery in Lagos

The Rapid Response Squad unit of the Lagos Police Command has arrested 25-year-old Chinonso Michael said to be an Afro hip-hop singer and 22-year-old pianist, Chimelu Victory for robbery. 

 

The suspects who were arrested last week Wednesday alongside 5 other suspects at their residence at 4, Modupe Young Thomas Estate in Ajah, said they were pushed into robbery due to the Coronavirus pandemic and hunger. 

 

It was gathered that they had on April 10, 2020, ordered a pay on delivery iPhone 11 Pro Max valued at N450,000 from an online platform. After the delivery man identified as Anifowoshe Itunu arrived at a service apartment in Ajah, Chimelu who was the buyer generated a fake alert to the rider first and later, with the connivance of Chinonso escaped from the apartment after they had tied him down with a bottle of beer.

 

They sold the iPhone 11 Pro Max to a buyer in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, for the sum of N350,000 transferred into Chinoso’s bank account. 

 

Upon sighting the police officers who were trying to effect their arrest, the suspects jumped off from the first floor of their apartment naked.  Chinonso fractured his arm and bruised his chin immediately he landed on the ground floor. He then instantly took to the streets naked before he was arrested and taken to the hospital. 

 

The suspects who confessed to the crime revealed that it was the third time they sold iPhone 11 Pro Max during the COVID-19 lockdown, adding that two of the phones were carted online with stolen credit cards.

 

They said they've been unable to make income since the clubs they played regularly at have been shut down due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The suspects said; 

 

“During the lock down there was nothing going and we didn’t have anything to eat for like two – weeks.

“We were already owing all the store owners in the neighbourhood. Nobody was ready to give us credit anymore. We had to device a means to survive the lock down."

 

Chinonso who just changed his stage name from Authority to Happy-Boy, said he joined Chimelu who was his music teacher in Aba at his Ajah residence in March 2020.

 

Chimelu, popularly called Apostle Swag said he recently resigned as a Lekki church keyboardist to pursue a career in music. He further disclosed that "the plan of a service  apartment was to create the impression that they live there in the mind of the despatch rider.”

 

One iPhone 11Pro Max, three laptops, two flash drives, two WiFi connection modems, two memory cards, four SIM cards, one Samsung phone and one iPhone were recovered from the suspects who admitted that they engage in internet fraud apart from their musical careers. 

 

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Lagos state police have taken over the case for further investigations and prosecution.