Tag: EFCC

Gombe Court Jails Three Fraudsters for Employment Fraud

Justice J.A Kereng of the Gombe State High Court sitting in Gombe, on Monday, April 8,2024 convicted and sentenced the duo of Ibrahim Abdullahi and Umar Usman to various jail terms for obtaining the sum of N682,847.00 ( Six Hundred and Eighty- Two Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-Seven Naira only) under false pretences . He also sentenced Mohammed Sala Soja to six years imprisonment. All the three convicts were jailed for employment fraud.

Abdullahi and Usman were separately arraigned on three count charges of cheating and employment scam by the Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The charge against Ibrahim Abdullahi reads: “That you, Ibrahim Abdullahi sometimes in October 2020 and January 2021 in Gombe, Gombe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, obtained the Polaris ATM Card properties of Aminu Adamu Idris and Muhammed Saidu Jibril, which you claimed was documentation for offer of employment you secured for them in a private liability company at Gombe, but rather used the said ATM to obtain loan to the tune of N682,847(Six hundred and Eighty Two Thousand, Eighty Hundred and Forty Seven Naira only) without their consent and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 320 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 322 of the same Law “.

The charge reads “that you, umar Usman sometimes in October 2020 and January 2021 in Gombe, Gombe State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, obtained the Polaris ATM Card properties of Aminu Adamu. Idris and Muhammed Sadu Jibril, which you claimed was documentation for offer of employment you secured for them in a private liability company at Gombe, but rather used the said ATM to obtain loan to the tune of N682,847 (Six Hundred and Eighty Two Thousand, Eighty Hundred and Forty Seven Naira only) without their consent and there by committed an offense contrary to section 320 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 322 of the same Law “.

Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them.

In view of the defendants’ pleas, prosecuting counsel, A.B Kware prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants, R.A. Anthony pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy “as the defendants are first- time offenders who are remorseful for their actions.

Justice Kereng convicted and sentenced Abdulahi to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) only and Usman bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N50,000.

The convicts bagged their imprisonment when they allegedly approached their victims in October 2022 about some phony job opportunities in a private liability company in Gombe State. They directed their victims to each open an account with Polaris bank which they did and surrendered the account details as well as their ATM Cards to them. The convicts in return gave their victims the sum of N10,000 each . After a while, the victims had issues with Polaris bank’s transactions and went to the bank to make enquiries only to be confronted with an outstanding loan of N682 ,847. All efforts to distance themselves from the loan proved abortive and reported the case to the EFCC.

In a similar development on Monday,
Justice Kereng also convicted and sentenced one Soja to six months imprisonment. He was arraigned on three count charges of intent to defraud, cheating and employment scam by the Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

One of the charge reads “that you, Muhammed Sala Soja sometimes in July 2023, at Gombe, Gombe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud did make a false document titled “2023 recruitment invitation for marshal’s basic course” which knew to be false and thereby committed an offense contrary to section 362 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 364 of the same Law. ”

Upon arraignment, he pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, AB Kware to pray the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.

However, counsel to the defendant, I.S Gada pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy “as the defendant who was remorseful for his actions is the breadwinner of his family and has a medically challenged father to care for”.

Justice Kereng then asked Kware if the defendant was a first time- offender and the prosecution counsel responded that though the defendant had made restitution to the victim of crime, he was convicted by same court on February 14 2024 for a similar offence”.

Responding, the judge said, “ based on the plea of the defence counsel coupled with the fact that the defendant has restituted the victim of crime and his father’s medical condition, I will give him a second chance. The defendant is hereby convicted and sentenced to six years imprisonment with an option of fine of N150,000
Soja still has other pending cases with the EFCC .

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Two Internet Fraudsters Bag Jail Terms in Kaduna

The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of two internet fraudsters before Justice Balarabe Buhari of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna.

They were jailed on Wednesday April 3, 2024 on one- count separate charges bordering on cybercrimes.

The convicts are Aaron Barnabas (a.k.a Helena Antonio) and Bosan Godwin Yacham(a.k.a Will Parfitt).

The one -count charge for Barnabas reads:” Aaron Barnabas (a.k.a Helena Antonio) Sometimes in October, 2023 in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, impersonated one Helena Antonio on Facebook, obtained the sum of $200 (Two Hundred United States of America Dollars) from Mauro Nunes and unsuspecting persons, and you thereby committed cheating by impersonation, an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Law, 2017 of Kaduna State and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law.”
The charge for Yacham reads; “Bosan Godwin Yacham (a.k.a Linnette Pickard) Male, sometimes in November, 2023 in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, impersonated one Will Parfitt from Australia on Facebook, obtained the sum of $100 (One Hundred United States of America Dollars) from Elizabeth Fier and unsuspecting persons, and you thereby committed cheating by impersonation, an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Law, 2017 of Kaduna State and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law.”

They all pleaded guilty to their one- count charges respectively when they were read to them, prompting the prosecuting counsel, Y.J Matiyak to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Justice Buhari consequently convicted and sentenced them to two years imprisonment each or pay a fine of N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) each. They also forfeited their phones used to commit the offences to the government. While Barnabas restituted the sum of $200( (Two Hundred United States of America Dollar), Yacham restituted $100 (One Hundred United States America Dollars) to the government.

The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were arrested at Keffi, Nasarawa state following a sting operation conducted by Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command working on intelligence.

Investigations showed that they fraudulently assumed identities of foreigners to create fictitious social media accounts to defraud unsuspecting victims of their hard- earned money.

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EFCC Grills Eight Suspected Oil Thieves in Uyo

The Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, has commenced investigation of alleged illegal activities of eight suspected dealers in petroleum products without appropriate licences.

The arrested suspects are: Pere Ebiye (Captain), Okon David (DeckMan) , Enuwa Wilson (Cook) , Wesley Okon (DeckMan) , Ade Ojo Idowu (Asst. Engineer) , Oluwadamire Abraham (DeckMan) , Oluwole Azuzu (Asst. Captain) and Taiwo Adebanwo (Chief Engineer) .

They were arrested on Friday February 23, 2024, onboard a wooden boat, MV Jasmine, which was laden with 30, 000 (Thirty Thousand) litres of petroleum products suspected to be crude, bunkered in a cellophane- sealed compartment of the boat and in four Geepee tanks.

Both the arrested crew members and the exhibits were handed over to the Commission on Tuesday April 3, 2024 by the Commanding Officer Captain (NN) Uche Aneke of the Nigeria Navy Ship, Forward Operating Base Ibaka, in Akwa Ibom State.

According to him, the crew were arrested at Posn Lat. 04°18.258°N. Long 008°29. 696’E by the Navy Ship Ekulu during a patrol. He expressed determination to ensure that the Nigerian waterways remain safe and free of criminal activities. “The Navy is on alert to arrest and prosecute any person found culpable in any criminal activity on our waterways or conveying illegal products as well as petroleum products”, he said.

While receiving the crew members, boat and products, the Uyo Zonal Commander, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Bawa H. Saidu who was represented by Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE1 Terseer Chinyam thanked the Nigerian Navy and assured it of the Commission’s readiness to always partner with it and other security agencies to curb economic crimes in Nigeria.

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EFCC Arraigns Emefiele for Alleged $4.5bn, N2.8bn Fraud

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, April 8, 2024, arraigned a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for an alleged $4.5bn and N2.8bn fraud.

Emefiele was arraigned alongside one Henry Omoile on an amended 26-count charge.
The former CBN Governor was specifically mentioned in counts one to four as well as counts eight to 26 bordering on alleged abuse of office, contrary and punishable under Section 73 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2011; accepting gratification, contrary and punishable under Section 8 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000; corrupt demand, contrary and punishable under Section 10 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000; receiving property fraudulently obtained, contrary to and punishable under Section 328 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2011; and conferring corrupt advantage, contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

Omoile was mentioned in counts five, six and seven bordering on acceptance of gifts by agents, contrary to Section 65 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

Count one: “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between 2022 and 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, directed to be done in abuse of the authority of your office as the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, an arbitrary act, to wit: allocating foreign exchange in the aggregate sum of $2,136,391,737.33 without bids, which act is prejudicial to the rights of Nigerians.”

Count two: “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between 2020 and 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, directed to be done in abuse of the authority of your office as the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, an arbitrary act, to wit: allocating foreign exchange in the aggregate sum of $291,945,785.59 without bids, which act is prejudicial to the rights of Nigerians.”

Count five: “That you, Henry Isioma Omoile, on or about the 17th of November 2020, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst acting as an agent, accepted from Raja Punjab through Moday Osazuwa the total sum of $110,000 for Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, gifts as reward for allocating foreign exchange by the Central Bank of Nigeria in favour of Raja Punjab’s employer.”

They pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges when they were read to them.

In view of this, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, said: “ By their plea, they have given themselves up for trial.

We pray the court to grant accelerated hearing and for us to call our witnesses to prove our case.”

Counsel representing the defendants, A. Labi-Lawal, informed the court of the bail applications for the defendants, which he said had been served on the prosecution.
Moving the bail application for Emefiele, he urged the court to grant him bail “on self- recognisance” or “on the most liberal terms”, pending the hearing and determination of the case.

In his argument, he gave a background to the case involving Emefiele, being prosecuted by the EFCC , before Justice Muazu of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court. He also informed the court that the court granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N300 million and two sureties in like sum, which he said Emefiele had met.

Labi-Lawal added that the bail condition confining him to Abuja, pending the trial in Abuja, was later varied, adding that “this is what has enabled him to be in court today.

The offence is a bailable one and is not a capital offence. The defendant does not have any criminal record; and his antecedent, at the other matter, where he has dutifully attended trial, shows that he is not a flight risk.”

He further prayed the court that Emefiele “be released to his lawyers pending determination of the bail application”, so he could still attend to other charges against him.

Moving the bail application for the second defendant, he urged the court to grant him bail on most liberal terms pending the hearing and determination of the case.

Responding, Oyedepo noted that granting bail was at the discretion of the court. We allow the court to exercise this discretion judicially and judiciously,” he said. He also prayed the court to impose conditions “that will compel him to appear before this court for his trial, as what we pray for is accelerated hearing.” He further noted that there was a court order secured by the defence granting the second defendant bail. This case is now pending before your lordship,” he said.

Thereafter, Justice Oshodi adjourned till April 11, 2024 “for ruling on bail and trial.” He also ordered that Emefiele be remanded in the EFCC custody, and the second defendant at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

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EFCC Arraigns Binance, Executive for Alleged $34m Money Laundering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, April 8, 2024 arraigned Binance Holdings Ltd and one of its executives, Tigran Gambaryan before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

They were arraigned on a 5-count charge bordering on alleged tax evasion, currency speculation and money laundering to the tune of $34,400,000 (Thirty-Four Million, Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).

At the last adjourned date, the second defendant, Tigran Gambaryan had claimed that he was not an agent, director, or a representative of the Binance Company in Nigeria and should not be served on behalf of the first defendant.

However, at Tuesday`s sitting, Justice Nwite held that the second defendant, in his earlier affidavit, had stated that he is an American who visited Nigeria along with Nadeem Anjarwalla, a British-Kenyan citizen, solely for the purpose of attending a meeting with government officials as representatives of Binance. He also mentioned in the document that he joined Binance in September 2021, which clearly shows his involvement with the first defendant within jurisdiction, thereby striking out the objection to stop his arraignment.

“Count One of the charge reads; That you BINANCE HOLDINGS LTD (“A.K.A BINANCE”), TIGRAN GAMBARYAN AND NADEEM ANJARWALLA (now at large) between January, 2023 and January 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court carried on specialized business of other financial institution without valid licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 57(1) and (2) of the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, 2020 and punishable under section 57(5) of the same Act.

Another count reads; that you BINANCE HOLDINGS LTD (A.K.A) BINANCE”) between January, 2022 and January 2024 in Abuja with the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court not being an authorized dealer in Nigeria`s Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market used your virtual asset services platform to unlawfully negotiate foreign exchange rates in Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 29(1)(c) of the foreign Exchange (Monitoring And Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, Ekele Iheanacho asked the court for a trial date.

However, defense counsel, Mark Mordi, SAN, pleaded with the court to grant his client bail, stating that the second defendant is a foreign national who has been in detention for over 40 days claiming that his detention is unlawful. He further again pleaded that the defendant should be remanded in EFCC custody instead of the correctional center.
Responding, Iheanacho stated that the circumstances of the defendant`s detention is lawful, adding that the law provides that after an arraignment is made, a defendant is supposed to be remanded in a correctional centre, as it does not matter the status of the defendant, hence his detention is lawful.
Justice Nwite fixed April 18, 2024 for hearing of bail applications and May 5, 2024 for trial. Furthermore, he ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.

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Shun Cyber Crime, EFCC Chairman Warns Youths

The Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has called on youths to shun cybercrime and other forms of criminality.

The EFCC chairman made this call in Benin-City, Edo State while speaking on a programme ‘Youth Empowerment Against Cybercrime” organised by Cybersecurity Education Initiatives ,CYSED, a non-profit organisation dedicated to cybercrime prevention.

The EFCC boss who was represented by Williams Oseghale, Head, Public Affairs Department, Benin Zonal Command warned the youths to stay away from cybercrime as the consequences were grave. He stated that the laws empower the Commission to arrest and prosecute anyone found culpable.

“Don’t be tempted or lured by the ostentatious lifestyle of other youths because the Commission will continue to arrest and prosecute anyone that is involved.

In the last few years, the Commission has secured thousands of convictions of persons involved in cybercrime, many have been stripped of their illegally acquired properties. So they have ended in shame. There is no escape route for those involved in cybercrime,” he said

He stated that there was no shortcut to wealth and urged the youths to use the internet to innovate and create positive economic growth. “The internet does not necessarily have to be an avenue to impersonate, manipulate and fabricate lies to defraud others. Let the youths begin to use the internet for socially desirable things like offering digital solutions to the needs of industries, homes, governments and other engagement of life.”

Moses Joshua, Executive Director, CYSED, said the essence of the programme was to build mental strength in youths to resist cybercrime and other Serious Organised Crime SOC. “It is to enhance knowledge and awareness about the adverse effects of SOC and establish a sustainable impact through virtual space. We expect to see increased positive behavioural change in target beneficiaries and a reduction in SOC activities within the community,” he said

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EFCC Quizzes 14 Suspected Oil Thieves in Port Harcourt

Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 commenced investigation of 14 suspected oil thieves alongside a Motor Fishing Trawler ,MFT, Hawwau Tanko, handed over to the Commission by the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Fob, Formoso, Brass, Bayelsa State.

The suspects and vessel were arrested for alleged illegal dealing in petroleum products by the detachment of 5 BN Nigerian Army on February 27, 2024 around Fish Town Rivers, Southern Ijaw Bayelsa State while on board Motor Fishing Trawler (MFT) Hawwau Tanko , laden with about 10,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, (AGO).

The Commanding officer, Forward Operating Base, FOB, Formoso, Navy Captain Murtala Aminu Rogo disclosed that Motor Fishing Trawler (MFT) Hawwau Tanko was arrested on February 27, 2024 around Fish Town Rivers, Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State for alleged involvement in illegal bunkering.

Speaking through Navy Commander M. A Gada, Rago said the Nigerian Navy will not relent in its effort towards policing and enforcing all maritime laws to get rid of crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering activities and other crimes in the Nigerian maritime domain.

The suspects include: Kolapo Gafar, the captain of the vessel, Monday Aresonor, Rasheed Rafiu, Kubi . E. Wowo, Emmanuel Odey, Kolapo Abdullahi, Sunday Obasan, Kolapo Wasiu, Ilojiole Emeka, Owoseni Ehuwa, John Olowokere, Chima Edwin, John Akpan and Ijoade Tayo.

According to him, “the activity of the 14 suspected oil thieves and MFT Hawwau Tanko is an act of economic sabotage which the Nigerian Navy has sworn not to condone”.

Zonal Commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt Command, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE 1, Ahmed Muhammed Ghali, assured the Navy and the entire public that the suspects and the exhibits will be subjected to further investigation and possible prosecution.

Ghali disclosed this through Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE 1 Salim Abubakar Sadiq who received the suspects and the vessel on behalf of the EFCC. He further commended the Navy for its collaboration with the EFCC and the good working relationship both agencies have enjoyed over the years.

“We will do everything within our powers to ensure that the activities of illegal oil bunkering are completely brought to the barest minimum and that the oil thieves are brought to face the wrath of the law”.

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Olukoyede Tasks NACOED Students on Corruption, National Development

The Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has called on Nigeria students to shun computer- related frauds and other criminal tendencies and imbibe desirable attitudes necessary for national development.

He gave the charge on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in a lecture entitled, “Impact of Cybercrime on Nigeria Economy: Tertiary Education in Perspective” delivered during the matriculation ceremony and orientation programme for Degree and NCE students for 2023/2024 academic session of the Nigerian, Army College of Education, NACOED, Sobi, Ilorin.

The EFCC boss, who spoke through the Head of Public Affairs Department of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC, Ayodele Babatunde expressed worry over the alarming rate of students’ involvement in cybercrime and other social vices, pointed out that the country could only realise its full potentials when youths imbibe the culture of excellence and shun all forms of criminalities.

He acknowledged that Nigerian youths are blessed with great potential, and challenged them to deploy them into good uses. He added that cybercrime should not be seen as a way of life, noting that “ostentatious and flamboyant lifestyle without corresponding hard work is perilous.”

“It is very unfortunate that young people these days have chosen to follow the fast lane, forgetting that speeding in the wrong direction leads to problems. Imagine young people , including teenagers going into cybercrimes and even rituals. I want to encourage you not to be discouraged. Always remember that evil can never win over good and that every action has a reward”, Olukoyede said.

Speaking on the impact of cybercrime, the EFCC Chair said that a society where cybercrime and corruption is allowed to thrive, would among other things suffer underdevelopment, poor education, public and private dysfunctionality, poor infrastructural development and security crisis which included but not limited to banditry, kidnapping, killing for rituals, cultism and terrorism financing.

Enumerating some of the efforts of the EFCC in tackling cybercrime among the youths, Olukoyede said that the Commission recently convoked a meeting of heads of tertiary institutions and faith-based organisations in Abuja to deliberate on ways to curb the menace of cybercrime on campuses. He added that resolutions at the meeting had already started yielding results.
He urged the students to take advantage of the EFCC’s Integrity Clubs and Zero Tolerance Club in our secondary and tertiary institutions to enlist as anti-corruption foot soldiers of the Commission.

The anti-graft czar, while congratulating the matriculants, enjoined them to be above board in character and learning and be good ambassadors of their home, school and country at large. He also urged members of the public to always secure their phone and devices by using strong passwords and avoid sharing personal details and sensitive information such as PIN, BVN or card details with people on social media in order not to fall victim to hackers.

In his closing remarks, the Provost of the NACOED, Major General Umar Babangida commended the EFCC for the presentation which he described as “rich and resourceful”, pledging the readiness of the College to collaborate with the EFCC in its efforts to rid the country’s campuses of cybercrime. He also promised to work closely with the EFCC to ensure the establishment of the Zero Tolerance Club in the college and ensure its functionality.

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Court Jails Internet Fraudster in Lagos

Justice C. J. Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced one Solomon Martins to one year imprisonment for romance scam.
He was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a two-count charge.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Solomon Martins on or about the 1st day of December, 2022, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently impersonated one ‘John Scott’ white military male from London, United Kingdom, by holding yourself out as such to unsuspecting members of the public via Gmail correspondence and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.”

He pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.

Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, A.O. Mohammed, called on Suleiman Aminu an operative of the EFCC, to review the facts of the case.

Suleiman, told the court that the defendant was arrested sometime in February 2024, following credible intelligence received by the Commission on the activities of some internet fraudsters operating at the Lekki axis of Lagos. He also told the court that an iPhone 11 was recovered from him at the point of arrest.

“In his statement, he confessed he was into dating scam and benefited the sum of $1,200,” he said. The prosecution, sought to tender, in evidence, his extrajudicial statements, iPhone 11, bank draft of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) and forensic investigation documents printed out from his mobile devices.

Justice Aneke admitted them as exhibits and convicted the defendant as charged. He was sentenced to one year imprisonment, with an option of fine of N1,500,000 ( One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira ) and 100 hours Community Service.

The judge also ordered that the mobile phone and bank draft of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Martins’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when he was arrested by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC for internet fraud. He was charged to court and convicted.

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EFCC Arrests Suspected Fraudulent Pastor for N3.9m Fraud in Ilorin

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 arrested the General Overseer of CAC Freedom City Prophetic and Deliverance Ministry, Ilorin, Prophet Adeniyi Abiodun James, for allegedly defrauding a member of the church to the tune of N3,980,000 (Three Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira).

The victim, Oluwole Babarinsa, had in a petition to the Commission, alleged that Prophet James called him out during a church programme sometime in 2021 that he had a revelation that he would travel abroad.

According to the petitioner, the cleric, in the course of giving the revelation, asked him about his preferred country, to which he replied “Canada”. Thereafter, they reportedly struck an agreement to talk later in order to perfect arrangements for the trip.

The prophet, he said, later told him that he had a friend in Lagos who could help him facilitate his relocation to Canada, but at a cost of N1.7million and N2.5million for processing of flight ticket and travel documents, respectively.

The petitioner further disclosed that he had to sell some of his properties and took some loans before he could raise N3,980,000 which he gave the prophet to facilitate his quick relocation to Canada.

After prolonged waiting with no result, the petitioner became agitated and began to query the prophet’s vision, prompting him to ask for a refund of his money. He said that all efforts and entreaties to the suspect to refund his money yielded no positive result.
The suspect will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

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