Crime
EFCC Summons Okoya Brothers Over Viral Video Allegation
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned Subomi and Wahab Okoya, sons of billionaire businessman Razaq Okoya, for questioning over alleged abuse of the naira, following a viral video that sparked public outrage.
The clip, which surfaced days ago, allegedly showed the Okoya brothers engaging in activities considered an “abuse” of the Nigerian currency.
In response, the EFCC has invited the duo to appear before the Special Operations team at the agency’s Lagos office on Monday, January 13, 2025.
Michael Wetkas, the acting director of the EFCC’s Lagos Directorate, signed the invitation, stating the need for further interrogation regarding the incident.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has already identified and detained a police officer featured in the viral video.
Social media has been abuzz with criticism over the perceived delay in action against the brothers.
Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju expressed his frustration in a Facebook post on Saturday, saying, “The Okoya sons are above the law. A country of two laws — one for the poor and the other for the rich.”
The case has reignited debates on inequality in Nigeria, with many calling for equal application of the law.
The EFCC recently launched investigations into other cases of financial misconduct across the country.
Public campaigns against currency abuse have intensified, with authorities urging citizens to respect the naira as a national symbol.
Crime
Police Arraign Nwadigbo Over Child Abuse
The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned Stella Nwadigbo, female, aged 45, on charges of indecent treatment and assault of a child.
This was revealed in a statement on its verified handle of micro-blogging site, X, on Thursday afternoon.
ALSO READ: Mahama Sworn In As Ghana’s President, Refers To Tinubu As ‘President of Ghana’
The statement reads, “The suspect, who was arraigned in Magistrate Court 1, Ogba today, January 9, 2025, had been captured in a viral video indecently treating and assaulting a three-year-old pupil of a primary school in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
“Following receipt of the video, the Family Support Unit (FSU) of Ikorodu Police Division promptly arrested the suspect on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 and transferred her to the Gender Unit of the Command Headquarters same day after preliminary investigations. The victim was taken to a medical facility for adequate medical attention.
“The suspect has since been remanded to Kirikiri Correctional facility till February 18, 2025 when the case comes up for continuation of hearing.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olanrewaju Ishola, psc(+), mnips, while commending Nigerians for promptly alerting the police to the situation, assures them of the ever-readiness of the Command to respond quickly and appropriately to situations towards ensuring the safety and security of resident and visitors to Lagos State.”
Crime
EFCC Detains 10 Over Alleged Theft Of Missing Items
The continuing efforts to sweep the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), clean of corrupt tendencies, have seen officers of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Commission, being detained for investigation of some missing items.
This was disclosed in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Wednesday.
ALSO READ: EFCC Fires 27 Officers Over Fraud, Misconduct
Biztellers reports that the officers, who were arrested last week on the directives of the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede are answering questions related to the theft of some operational items that they could not account for.
It was gathered that investigators are making good progress and those found culpable will be subjected to internal disciplinary processes.
Crime
Two Nigerians Receive 20-Year U.S. Prison Terms For $560,000 Romance Scam
The U.S. court has sentenced two Nigerian nationals, Olutayo Sunday Ogunlaja, 39, and Abel Adeyi Daramola, 37, to up to 20 years in prison for masterminding a $560,000 romance scam that defrauded a victim in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez and FBI Albuquerque Field Office Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda announced the convictions after a federal jury found both men guilty following a four-day trial.
READ MORE: UK Extends ETAS To US, Canada, Australia
The federal jury took less than three hours to deliberate before finding the pair guilty of wire fraud and conspiracy.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed that Ogunlaja and Daramola, along with other accomplices, initiated the scheme in January 2016 by creating a fake identity, “Glenn Brown,” on the dating website eHarmony.com.
Using this fabricated persona, they developed a romantic relationship with the victim and manipulated them into transferring large sums of money.
“Throughout the fraud, the victim was led to believe that their financial assistance was necessary for ‘Glenn Brown’ to complete a purported construction project in Malaysia and return safely to the United States,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated.
Between January 2016 and April 2017, the victim sent approximately $560,000 to accounts in the United States, Canada, and Malaysia. On September 27, 2016, the victim wired $28,000 to an account in the name of “Daramola Cars” at Woodforest Bank.
Court documents showed that Daramola transferred $18,000 of these funds to a seafood importer in Denmark and issued a $14,000 check.
Daramola denied involvement in the scam, but evidence obtained from text and WhatsApp messages on his phone revealed his role in supplying bank accounts used to launder fraudulent funds.
Ogunlaja’s involvement was similarly uncovered, with prosecutors presenting evidence that his Bank of America account was used to receive funds from the victim.
According to the FBI, “Glenn Brown” instructed the victim to deposit $20,000 in cash into Ogunlaja’s account on two occasions in March 2016. Ogunlaja then withdrew the funds and transferred them to Daramola’s account.
“This case demonstrates the lengths fraudsters will go to exploit the vulnerable,” said Special Agent Raul Bujanda. “We will continue to pursue justice for victims of financial crimes.”