EFCC Arrests 33 Internet Fraud Suspects In Ilorin, Maiduguri
In its bid to curb the tide of internet fraud related crimes among the youths, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 33 cybercrime suspects in Ilorin, Kwara State and Maiduguri, Borno state.
According to a news release by the Media & Publicity Department posted on the Commission’s official website, twenty (20) of the suspects were nabbed in Ilorin while the other 13 suspects were arrested in Maiduguri.
The suspect arrested in Ilorin include Habeeb Abubakar, Abiola Abiodun, Atitebi Samuel, Emmanuel Mofe Oborirhwoho, John Adamson, Mayowa Akinola Victor, Oluwafemi Smith Ola, Abdullahi Isiak, Orji Daniel Roland, Martinson Adegboyega and Kolawole Temidayo.
Others are Orimadegun Bashir Ishola, Tijani Quadri, Adebisi Kazeem, Umar Abdulkareem, Adebisi Teslim, Okunlola Idris Ayomide, Quadri Lekan, Ukueni Great and Adeyeye Usman.
They were arrested at Egbejila, Airport Road and Offa Garage areas of Ilorin following credible intelligence on their alleged criminal activities.
Items recovered from them include different brands of phones, laptops and exotic cars.
Those arrested in Maiduguri include Wilson Akpotaire, Adamu Mohammed, Adetoro Suleiman Opeyemi, Musbahudeen Nurudeen Opeyemi, Bolanle Alhassan Olaitan.
Others are; Joshua Ohaneye, Yusuf Philip, Mohammed Tijjani, Ahmed Andrew, Sangari Halilu Amilah, Maina Matakun, Oshalaiye Augustine and Kefas Nesta Victor.
They were picked up around Tashan Bama Road, Maiduguri, Borno State on Monday, June 5, 2023.
Items recovered include different brands of mobile phones and.
The suspects will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigations are concluded.
…Sensitizes Real Estate Operators, Warns Against Money Laundering
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has charged real estate operators in Port Harcourt and environs to be professional and ensure due diligence in dealing with their customers.
Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Ibinabo Mary Amachree gave the charge in a welcome address to participants at a recent sensitization workshop on Anti-Money Laundering, Combating the Financing Terrorism and Countering Proliferation Financing, AML/CFT/CPF organized by the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML at Osborn La Palm Royal Resort, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Ibinabo who represented the Director SCUML, Daniel Isei, advised real estate operators to be law abiding and avoid being used by corrupt politicians in syphoning the nation’s resources.
“I urged you to always conduct due diligence, and the principle of Know Your Customers, KYC before consummating any transaction”, she said.
She identified the sector’s vulnerabilities to include, activities of unlicensed operators due to weak entry controls, cash transactions , and use of third parties .
She however charged the operators not to allow themselves to be used by corrupt elements in perpetrating crimes involving money laundering.
Similarly, Mr. Sunji Audu, Head, SCUML, Port Harcourt Command, enlightened the operators on the need to build the capacity of their staff and appoint Compliance Officers in line with provisions of the Money Laundering Act, 2022.
Abubakar Bello of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, enlightened the participants on how to identify and report suspicious transactions to the NFIU.
“All real estate agents must report every suspicious financial transaction to the NFIU immediately the transactions are consummated”, he said
He warned that not reporting of such activities or transactions attracts sanctions or penalties.
