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EFCC arrests 34 Nigerians over alleged foreign exchange fraud
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested thirty-four suspected currency speculators over alleged foreign exchange fraud.
EFCC disclosed this in a press release published on its website.
They made the arrest on Friday, April 26, 2024, in a sting operation.
The operatives were attached to the Taskforce on Currency mutilation, Dollarization of the Economy and Forex Malpractice.
The operation, meanwhile, followed a credible intel about illegal sales of dollars at the Wuse Zone 4 area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The arrested suspects include:
- Usman Mohammed,
- Abdullahi Nasir,
- Abubakar Saleh,
- Mohammed Kabir Ibrahim,
- Abubakar Ghadafi,
- Muktar Usman,
- Umar Abubakar Abba,
- Yakubu Sani,
- Aminu Abubakar,
- Muhammed Suleman Abara,
- Yusuf Tahir,
- Usman Lawal,
- Usman Lawal,
- Usman Umar,
- Amina Garba Rola,
- Muhammed Aliyu,
- Murtala Haruna,
- Sani Mohammed,
- Umar Farouk,
- Muhammed Sagiuru,
- Aminu Salisu,
- Lawal Bello,
- Munzali Hashim,
- Jamilu Suleiman,
- Mustapha Umar,
- Mubarak Tanimu,
- Adamu Garba,
- Mohammed Usman,
- Bello Musa,
- Saleh Mohammed Naseer,
- Zaharadeen Yau,
- Musa Umaru Adamu,
- Usman Machido, and,
- Abdulaziz Abubakar Abba.
Other foreign exchange racketeers arrested by EFCC operatives
Speaking on their arrest, EFCC hailed the move.
It said it “came on the heels of the anti-graft’s consistent efforts to sanitise and stabilise foreign exchange market”.
The statement assured that the suspects will soon be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations.
Court sends 9 internet fraudsters to jail in Benin City
In another development, nine internet fraudsters were on April 23 and 24, 2024, respectively, convicted.
The fraudsters were arraigned by the EFCC Benin Zonal Command, Edo State.
They were sentenced to various jail terms by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the state High Court sitting in Benin City.
The convicts are Andrew Ayakanmi Joshua, Obazee Marvellous, Osiobe Joshua and Osariemen Favour.
Others are Edosa Ovbokhan, Emmanuel Eramiokhare, Cyril Osagie, Stephen Okiosi Osaiwe and Muhammed Mudesiru Hussein
They were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on obtaining by false pretense.
Other charges include possession of fraudulent documents and retention of proceeds of crime.
All the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them in court.
The plea prompted the prosecution counsel to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as they have become remorseful for their actions.
Earlier on April 22, 2024, Justice Ikponmwonba had sentenced the trio of Eramiokhae, Joshua and Favour.
They were sentenced to 3 years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 (one hundred thousand Naira) each.
Meanwhile, the duo of Ayakanmi Joshua and Obazee Marvellous bagged 2 years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each.
The judge, later on April 23, convicted and sentenced Ovbokhan to 3 years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000.
Hussein bagged 2 years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 while the duo of Osaiwe and Osagie got a slap-on-the-wrist community service.
The judges ordered the convicts to forfeit their phones, laptops, balances in their various bank accounts.
They held that the forfeited items are instruments and proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In the meantime, all the convicts undertook in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.
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