By Cheta Enyoghasi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended a four-man fraud network for allegedly impersonating and blackmailing the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, in a $1 million deal.
The defendants were taken into custody on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, in Gimbiya Street, Garki, and Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja, according to a statement released on Thursday by EFCC Spokesperson Dele Oyewale.
He said that the alleged fraudsters contacted former NPA Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Koko, alleging he was involved in phony investigations of the EFCC. They demanded a $1 million for soft landing or risk prosecution.
His words: “The alleged fraudsters 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 alleged that Olukoyede was ready to give him a soft landing for $1 million or risk being arrested and prosecuted.
“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 are in the custody of the Commission.”
He said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
