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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign 23 out of the 93 suspected internet fraudsters it arrested at a hotel located within the premises of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in Abeokuta.
The suspects will appear today before Justice D. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the accused face charges bordering on impersonation, identity theft, and internet fraud. The remaining suspects will be arraigned in subsequent batches.
The Commission revealed that the suspects were apprehended during a pool party allegedly organised to celebrate their fraudulent activities. The gathering was initially planned for two other venues but was eventually moved to the hotel within the OOPL premises in a bid to avoid detection. EFCC stated that the organisers believed holding the event there might shield them from arrest after getting wind of the Commission’s intelligence operations.
The EFCC stressed that the operation was not targeted at the former President’s facility, but focused solely on the suspects, most of whom have confessed to involvement in online crimes. Profiling by investigators reportedly confirmed that nearly all those arrested were implicated in various forms of internet fraud.
The agency assured that the arraignment process will be conducted in batches and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all those involved face justice. It also disclosed that investigations are ongoing, with the remaining suspects expected to be brought to court in due course
