26th January, 2024
By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi
Detectives at the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, have recovered a sum of N50 million, suspected to have been fraudulently withdrawn from the bank account of actor Mr. John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu.
The investigation, which also resulted in the arrest of Mr. Ibu’s son, Onyebuchi Okafor, and his lover, Jasmine Okekeagwu, has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry.
The arrest and subsequent court charges, citing conspiracy and theft, came after a petition lodged by Diamond Waves Law on behalf of Mr. Ibu’s wife, Stella Maris Okafor, dated September 6, 2023.
Allegations in the petition suggested a complex scheme involving Mr. Ibu’s sons, Daniel and Valentine Okafor, along with Jasmine Okekeagwu, aimed at defrauding the actor.
According to ASP Mayegun Aminat, spokesperson for the FCID, investigations uncovered a web of deceit wherein Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor and Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu allegedly exploited Mrs. Stella Maris Okafor’s trust, gaining unauthorized access to Mr. Ibu’s phone and subsequently his banking information.
Utilizing this illicit access, the perpetrators orchestrated fraudulent transfers totaling N55 million from the public fundraising account intended for Mr. Ibu’s medical expenses to Daniel Okafor’s personal bank account.
Forensic scrutiny traced the embezzled funds to Onyeabuchi Okafor’s account, where it was revealed that N5 million had already been expended on dubious transactions, while the remaining N50 million was successfully recovered.
Further investigation exposed plans by the suspects, Jasmine Okekeagwu and Onyeabuchi Okafor, to abscond to the United Kingdom, using a fake marriage and a visa application already in progress.
The inquiry also revealed an evidence in the form of WhatsApp messages exchanged between Jasmine Chioma and Daniel Okafor, outlining the intricacies of their nefarious collaboration.
Onyeabuchi Okafor and Jasmine Okekeagwu now face charges at the Chief Magistrates Court 1, Yaba, with their case adjourned to March 11, 2024.
Both have been granted bail in the sum of N15 million with two sureties each.
The case file has been transferred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for further legal guidance.