The arraignment, being conducted in batches, follows the suspects’ capture at a poolside celebration of their illegal activities
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is preparing to arraign 23 individuals out of a total of 93 suspected internet fraudsters recently apprehended at a hotel situated within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in Abeokuta.
The accused are scheduled to appear before Justice D. Dipeolu at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The arrests occurred following a pool party allegedly organised by the suspects to mark the success of their fraudulent schemes. EFCC’s Head of Media, Dele Oyewale, stated that the charges include identity theft, impersonation, and other cybercrime-related offences. The remaining suspects will be prosecuted in stages.
Investigators revealed that the party was initially intended for two other locations, but the organisers relocated it to the OOPL hotel in an attempt to avoid detection. “Upon learning of the Commission’s intelligence, the suspects quickly moved the event, seemingly hoping to escape arrest,” the EFCC explained.
The Commission was careful to clarify that the former President’s facility was not a target of the operation. The focus was entirely on the suspects, who have admitted to participating in online fraud. Profiling showed that nearly all those apprehended were actively involved in cybercrime activities.
“The arraignment, being conducted in batches, follows the suspects’ capture at a poolside celebration of their illegal activities,” the statement added. The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that individuals engaged in internet fraud are brought to justice.
The agency also reassured the public that investigations are ongoing and that those yet to be arraigned will face court proceedings in due course. The EFCC emphasized that its efforts to combat cybercrime remain relentless, with a focus on identifying, arresting, and prosecuting offenders nationwide.