Acting Chairman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu has disclosed that one the most wanted suspects by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Oyediran Joseph, has been arrested in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital for his roles in internet fraud.
Mr Magu disclosed this on Friday in Ilorin on at a press conference to explain the EFCC/FBI Collaboration in the fight against internet fraud and cyber crime . The commission also seized properties worth about N1 billion from some alleged internet fraudsters.
Represented by the Ilorin Zonal Head of the Commission, Mr Isyaku Sharu, he said the anti-graft body has been supportive to the activities of FBI and every other foreign counterpart whose responsibility is similar or analogous to the Commission.
“Three weeks ago, the US authority had written to us for assistance in tracking and possible arrest and prosecution of two most wanted FBI suspects in Nigeria.”
“Investigation conducted by the EFCC revealed that Joseph had benefited about N60 million from the loot via western union transfers,” he said.
Sharu said that within seven months of operation, the Ilorin Zonal office independently arrested over 50 suspected internet fraudsters, secured conviction of 25, and got forfeiture of their exotic cars.
He said that the money recovered from the fraudsters was millions of naira and all forfeited to the federal government in line with court judgement.
The Zonal Head said that four properties were linked to some of these cybercrime suspects, located in choice areas in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state.
“These properties include Supermarket, Plaza, and so on, and the conservative value of these properties cannot be less than N800 million to N1 billion.”
Sharu said that the nation depends on the vibrancy of the economy, which is a common denominator binding Nigeria together, and business worldwide are being conducted through the medium of cyber.
He said that there is need for Nigerians to come together in fighting the scourge of internet fraud and cybercrime with a view to make the cyber space well-fortified, so that foreign investors can invest to further boost our economy,” he said.
