Four arrested for impersonating EFCC boss
Four arrested for impersonating EFCC boss
Abdullateef Fowewe
The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested a four-man syndicate over alleged fraudsters involved in the impersonation and blackmail of the agency’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede in a $ 1 million deal.
The alleged fraudsters according to a statement Dailyeconomy obtained from the EFCC website on Thursday, had reached out to a former Managing Director of the Nigeria Port Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko, claiming that he was involved in fake investigations conducted by the EFCC during his time as MD.
The suspected fraudsters, Ojobo Joshua, Aliyu Hashim, Thomas Oduh and Paul Ogiji were arrested on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at Gimbiya Street, Garki and Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.
They threatened that the former MD could secure a favourable solution for $ 1 million or face arrest and prosecution.
The statement said, “Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a four-man syndicate of alleged fraudsters impersonating and blackmailing the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr Ola Olukoyede in a $ 1 million deal.
“The fraudsters: Ojobo Joshua, Aliyu Hashim, Thomas Oduh and Paul Ogiji were arrested on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at Gimbiya Street, Garki and Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja. The alleged fraudsters contacted a former Managing Director of the Nigeria Port Authority, NPA, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko claiming his indictment in some phony investigative activities of the EFCC during his tenure as the MD of NPA.
“They alleged that Olukoyede was ready to give him a soft landing for $ 1 million or risk being arrested and prosecuted. On receipt of intelligence regarding the moves of the impersonators, operatives of the Commission were deployed to play along with the alleged fraudsters. They were successfully arrested and in the custody of the Commission.”
The EFCC in the remark assured that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as they concluded their investigations.
