EFCC nabs 21 Internet fraudsters, arraigns two over land scam

Etim Ekpimah

Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, arrested 21 suspected internet Fraudsters a sting operation at World Bank Housing Estate, Umuahia, Abia State.

The arrested suspects are Onwuka John Urum, Nwigwe Favour Uzochukwu, Marvelous Igwe Chikaodiri, Egbulef Promise, Okolo Christopher, Okoye Kosiso Chukwu, Uzor Kingsley Nzube, Okafor Jeremiah Onyedikachi, Okoji Franklin Akachukwu and Emmanuel Chibuike.

Others are Okechukwu Oko, Miracle Chubueze, Sunday Eze Goodnews, Nwache Justice, Azubuike Chikwado, Obioma Prince Chinomso, Nwazo Collins Ugochukwu, Ogugu Chukwu Ebuka, Chinaka Macdonald, Ebere Uchenna and Okechukwu Emeka Michael.

At the point of arrest, the following vehicles were recovered from them: Lexus ES350 with registration number Abuja KWL3398BP, a Mercedes Benz with registration number Abuja ABC677 EH, a Toyota Camry 2008 Model with registration number SMK507GZ and a Lexus ES350 with registration number IMO EKE 136 AE.

Other items recovered from the suspects include different brands of laptops and mobile phones.

They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.

Meanwhile, the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, arraigned the duo of Abor Gambomi and Abdulmumini Ali before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri on a one-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining N420, 000.00 (Four Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) by false pretence.

The defendants allegedly collected the money from the nominal complainant to buy a piece of land for him (complainant) but converted the money to their personal use.

The amended charge reads: “That you, Abor Gambomi and Abdulmumini, sometimes in March 2019 at Maiduguri, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did obtain N420, 000.00 (Four Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) from Mustapha Shettima Wakil under the pretence that the said amount represents payment for the purchase of a purported plot of land No. 127 BOTP/72 Pompomari Residential Layout, Maiduguri Borno State  which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and Punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspects pleaded not “guilty” to the charge preferred against them.

Upon their plea, prosecution counsel Mukhtar Ali Ahmed asked the court for a trial date and to remand the defendants in custody pending the determination of the case. Justice Kumaliya adjourned the matter till October 18, 2021, for commencement of trial and ordered the remand of the defendants in the Correctional Centre.