At least twenty-three suspected internet fraudsters were apprehended recently in Benue State by the operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), OsunDailyNG understands.
The commission confirmed the development in a publication via its official Twitter page, stating that the suspects were arrested in a sting operation in Makurdi, Benue State.
EFCC identified the suspects to include David Uvaa, Patrick Adakole, Cyprian Aloo, Michael Anaambe, Okti Clinton, Ibi Raphael, Anaambe George, Msaasha John, Oche Edache, Anaker Terpase, Tanko Japhet and Ayalgo Lorfa.
Others include Success Terzungwe, Suursuter Isaiah, Lawani Peter, Paul Adewa, Jacob Paul, Ibi Shedrack, Iorkosu Michael, Shiedu Leonard, Terseer Mnenge, Ikyorna Raphael and Igba Ngutor.
The Commission said items recovered from them include different mobile phones and one Toyota Corolla car.
The anti-graft agency added that the suspects have made useful statements and will be charged in court as soon as the investigation is concluded.
Meanwhile, Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has demanded the immediate release of the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Falana submitted that the remand order issued by a Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory “has become spent, invalid and illegal as no magistrate has the power under section 493 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 or section 35 of the Constitution of Nigeria to authorise the detention of a criminal suspect for 67 days without trial.”
OsunDailyNG reports that his reaction follows the continuous detention of the suspended EFCC boss in the custody of the secret police for 67 days without prosecution.
The human rights lawyer, in a statement made available to the media on Sunday, said the detention of both Bawa and the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, will be a lesson for public officeholders who misuse their offices.
He, however, called on the government to, ensure that the DSS and the office of the Director of Public Prosecution in the Federal Ministry of Justice respect the rights of both Bawa and Emefiele.
According to him, ”The plight of both suspects should be a lesson for all public officers in Nigeria who always behave as if there will be no tomorrow. However, the Government which rules by law is under a legal obligation not to breach the fundamental rights of citizens except in a manner prescribed by the Constitution of Nigeria.”
