29th August, 2024
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arrested a a four-man syndicate of fraudsters impersonating the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede in a $ 1million extortion, blackmail deal.
Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson of the anti-graft agency announced the arrest of members of the syndicate in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the suspect, 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.
EFCC said members of the syndicate had 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 promised that Olukoyede was ready to give him a soft landing for $1 million or risk being arrested and prosecuted.
However, 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 custody of the Commission.
“They would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” EFCC said in the statement.
