Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a cleric, twin brothers and 25 others for alleged internet fraud in Ilorin, Kwara.
EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Uwujaren said that the arrest, which was effected at Mandate Area, Ilorin, followed actionable intelligence on the activities of fraudsters operating in the area.
“Preliminary investigation revealed the identity of the arrested suspects six students and mining operator among others,” he said.
He said that items recovered from the suspects included 10 exotic cars, different brands of laptops, cell phones and printer, among others.
He said that the suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
Also, the police, on Thursday, arraigned a 30-year-old hair stylist, Ehimhen William, before a Wuse Zone 2 Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for allegedly stealing an iPhone worth N320,000.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that William was arraigned on a two-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Kufreabasi Ebong, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on March 14, 2022.
He said that the matter was reported at Lugbe police station by one Miss Charity Dickson, of Tudun Wada, Lugbe, Abuja.
Ebong stated that the defendant went to the complainant’s shop on the said date and requested for her phone to enable him call a hair stylist for her.
He said that the complaint gave the defendant her iPhone, valued at N320,000, and he left her shop with the said phone without her notice.
The prosecuting counsel further said that the defendant, during police investigation, admitted that he deceitfully collected the phone from the complainant and sold it to a hawker at Banex Plaza at the rate of N20,000.
According to him, the offences contravene the provisions of Sections 312 and 309 of the Penal Code.
The Magistrate, Abu Saidu, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.
He said that the sureties must be residing within the court’s jurisdiction and must submit their international passport, National Identification Numbers and two passport photographs each to the court.
Saidu, thereafter, adjourned the case till May 2 for hearing.
Cleric/NAN…
