Following a successful investigation into the hacking of one of the country’s commercial banks by a syndicate of fraudsters who pulled off a N1.4billion heist, a Kogi State House of Assembly candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ismaila Yusuf Atumeyi, was arrested with N326 million and $610,500 cash by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
According to EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren, the politician who is running for the Kogi State House of Assembly seat of Ankpa 11 was apprehended on Sunday, October 30, 2022, alongside one Joshua Dominic, an alleged serial fraudster, in a sting operation at Macedonia Street, Queens Estate, Karsana, Gwarinpa, Abuja.
Abdulmalik Salau Femi, a former bank employee who allegedly provided inside information that facilitated the syndicate’s attack on the bank, was also apprehended on Tuesday, November 1.
Atumeyi was initially apprehended with N326 million and $140,500 in cash. USD 470,000 was recovered following a search of his home.
Uwujaren said;
“Following his arrest, a search was conducted on his home in Morgan Estate, Ojodu where a total of USD 470,000 was recovered.
“The arrest of the suspects followed months of investigation into the hacking of one of the commercial banks by a syndicate of fraudsters who pulled off a heist of N1.4billion.”
It was gathered that the syndicate allegedly moved N887million into the account of Fav Oil and Gas Limited, from where the monies were paid to several Bureau de Change operators and some auto dealers for exchange into United States Dollars and purchase of high-end cars.
Dominic, a self-styled investment expert and managing director of Brisk Capital Limited, has been arrested several times for fraud and the investigation revealed that he allegedly helped Atumeyi perfect the hacking plan through Abdumalik.
A quick check revealed that Dominic was arrested in May 2021 by the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police for an alleged N2billion investment scam. He allegedly defrauded over 500 persons in a phony investment scheme.
Two Range Rover Luxury SUVs were also recovered from the two suspects arrested in Abuja.
The suspects would be charged in court as soon as the investigation is concluded.