EFCC set to arraign ‘internet fraudsters’ nabbed at hotel inside Obasanjo’s library

Following the recent arrest of no fewer than 93 individuals suspected of engaging in internet-related criminal activities, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced that it will, on Friday, August 15, 2025, arraign 23 of the suspects before Justice D. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The arraignment marks the first phase in what is expected to be a series of court appearances as the Commission moves forward with its prosecution efforts.

The large-scale arrest took place at a hotel situated within the precincts of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The location’s proximity to the facility of Nigeria’s former president initially stirred public interest, but EFCC has clarified that the library itself was never the target of the operation. Rather, the hotel within its vicinity served as the venue for a “Pool Party” where the suspects had gathered to celebrate their alleged fraudulent exploits.

Investigations have revealed that the party had originally been planned to hold across two separate locations. However, after receiving intelligence suggesting possible EFCC surveillance and intervention, the organisers abruptly changed the venue to the OOPL hotel—apparently in the mistaken belief that the prestigious location would shield them from arrest. That assumption, however, proved costly, as EFCC operatives, acting on solid intelligence, swooped in and apprehended the suspects in the midst of their celebrations.

Following their arrest, EFCC profiled the individuals and discovered that almost all of them had been implicated in a range of cyber-related offences, particularly crimes involving impersonation, identity theft, and various forms of internet fraud.

According to the Commission, several suspects have already made confessional statements admitting to their involvement in illicit online schemes.

Given the large number of individuals apprehended, the Commission has opted to conduct the arraignment in batches, beginning with the first set of 23 suspects this Friday.

The remaining suspects, EFCC confirmed, will be brought before the court in subsequent sessions as the legal process unfolds.