The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended a four-man syndicate allegedly involved in impersonating and blackmailing the Commission’s Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, in a one million dollar fraud scheme.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Oyewale, the suspects were captured on Wednesday during coordinated operations at Gimbiya Street, Garki, and Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.
The syndicate is accused of impersonating the EFCC Chairman and contacting former Managing Director of the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, with fraudulent claims.
The suspects reportedly told Bello-Koko that he was implicated in fictitious EFCC investigations during his tenure at the NPA and demanded a payment of one million dollars to avoid arrest and prosecution.
Oyewale elaborated on the sting operation that led to the arrests, stating, “Upon receiving intelligence about the impersonators, EFCC operatives were deployed to collaborate with the alleged fraudsters, leading to their successful arrest.”
He further noted that the suspects are currently in EFCC custody and will face legal action once the investigation is complete.
This development underscores the EFCC’s commitment to tackling fraud and protecting the integrity of the Commission and its leadership.
The arrest of the syndicate serves as a warning to individuals attempting to exploit the EFCC’s reputation for personal gain.
