55 suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Ogun

Friday, August 8, 2025 - Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 55 suspects for alleged involvement in internet-related fraud during a sting operation at K Hotel, Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area, on Wednesday, July 6, 2025.

In a statement released on Thursday, the EFCC said the raid followed credible intelligence allegedly linking the suspects to a syndicate of cybercrime activities in the area.

The commission noted that all arrested individuals were profiled on the spot for further questioning.

Naija News reports that during the operation, operatives recovered six luxury vehicles, two locally fabricated pistols, one motorcycle, several laptops, multiple mobile phones, incriminating documents, and 89 unclaimed mobile phones suspected to be tools used to perpetrate cybercrimes.

According to the commission, the suspects are “currently cooperating with investigators” and have provided useful statements to aid ongoing inquiries.

The EFCC added that the suspects would face charges upon the conclusion of investigations. “They will be arraigned in court after the investigations are concluded,” the commission said.

Meanwhile, a fresh rift may be brewing between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Police Force over the custody and handling of two suspects involved in a reported microfinance bank glitch case.

Naija News reports that the suspects, Illesanmi Olaniyi and Ishola Maruf, were initially arrested by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja on March 17, 2024, and subsequently granted administrative bail, a condition that, according to their lawyers, remains valid.

Their counsel, Khadijah Bayern, alleged that following their bail, two vehicles, a Toyota Hilux and a Toyota RAV4, along with several documents, goods, and personal items, were seized and remain in police custody. A forfeiture case regarding the seized assets is currently before the court.

In a petition to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Bayern accused the EFCC of re-arresting her clients over the same matter already being handled by the police and before the court.

The petition, titled Double Jeopardy and Intimidation, alleged that the suspects have now spent over 12 days in EFCC custody without bail or proper medical attention.