The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the Kogi State House of Assembly candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ismaila Yusuf Atumeyi, said to be in possession of N326million and $610,500 cash.
Atumeyi, who is seeking to represent Ankpa 11 Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly was arrested on Sunday, alongside one Joshua Dominic, an alleged serial fraudster, in a sting operation at Macedonia Street, Queens Estate, Karsana, Gwarinpa, Abuja, in connection with a N1.4bn Bank Fraud, a statement by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said.
Also arrested in connection with the fraud is Abdumalik Salau Femi, a former bank employee, who allegedly supplied the inside information that facilitated the attack on the bank by the syndicate.
The EFCC statement read, “He was picked up on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at Radisson Blu Hotel in Lagos. Following his arrest, a search was conducted on his home in Morgan Estate, Ojodu where a total of $470,000 USD was recovered.”
Meanwhile, $140,500 in cash had reportedly been recovered from him by the agency.
Uwujaren explained that the arrest of the suspects followed months of investigation into the hacking of one of the commercial banks by a gang of fraudsters who pulled off a heist of N1.4 billion.
The statement published on the Commission’s website read, “The syndicate allegedly moved N887 million 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, who has severally been arrested for fraud, allegedly helped Atumeyi perfect the hacking plan through Abdumalik. Dominic, a self-styled investment expert and managing director of Brisk Capital Limited was arrested in May 2021 by the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police for alleged N2 billion 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 anti-graft agency said the suspects would be charged in court after the investigation.
