EFCC Wanted List 2022, For Various Fraudulent Activities Totalling N165bn
EFCC Wanted List 2022: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it has 59 people on its Wanted List for various fraudulent operations totaling N435 billion and $397,758,000 (about N165bn).
The offenses vary from money laundering to gaining money through deception, fraud, internet-related offenses, and the issue of a forged check.
In a statement signed by Wilson Uwujaren, the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, the sought suspects’ photos and the details of their alleged offences were released on the commission’s website.
It urged anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the aforementioned individuals to contact any of the commission’s offices, as well as the nearest police station or other security services.
The single most serious offense on the list was that of one Maxwell, who was wanted by the EFCC in an alleged case of conspiracy, getting money by deception, and money laundering totaling N213 billion.
He ran a trading and financing firm where many investors’ funds were trapped.
A former personal assistant to a former governor of Kwara State was also accused of signing for and laundering N12 billion belonging to the state government. The suspect was claimed to have violated the commission’s bail conditions and remained incommunicado.
The commission sought Hima, a Nigerien, for alleged criminal conspiracy, contract scam, theft of public funds, money laundering, and fraud totaling $394 million, €9.9 million, and N369 million.
He was alleged to have received the sum for the purchase of equipment for the Nigerian military. It was later discovered that there were discrepancies in the supply of the equipment.
Similarly, four Rivers State Government officials, comprising three men and one woman, were declared wanted by the commission over suspected N117bn fraud, alleged criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and misappropriation of public funds and abuse of office.
Also, a native of Plateau State, identified as Noel, was declared wanted in a case bordering on conspiracy, theft and money laundering to the tune of N131m. He was said to be a former staff of First City Monument Bank in Birni Kebbi, Kebbi State.
A man named Oluwole is wanted for allegedly receiving $158,000 in unlawfully imported apples from a South African company. He was alleged to have refused to pay for the merchandise.
In a related development, a female banker from Ondo State allegedly forged a customer’s documents and fraudulently obtained N27m loan facility using the customer’s fixed deposit as collateral for the loan. Also, another female banker from Ogun State allegedly forged treasury bills certificate worth N27m and gave them to a customer in exchange for the money.
An Israeli, identified as Doron, was also declared wanted for obtaining money under false pretence, stealing and forgery. A woman is also on the list for collecting aircraft parts worth $1.4m from a Russian company and evading payment. She was said to have been involved in another N1bn fraud.
Some of the cases are already in court while some jumped the administrative bail granted to them by the EFCC.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, stated in the March edition of EFCC Alert, the monthly e-magazine published by the agency’s Media Unit and received by our correspondent, that the panel was not being teleguided by anyone.
He noted that the EFCC was deploying intelligence in its operations, and that all its cases were bailable offences.
He described as worrying the prevalence of cybercrime among the youths.