By John Ikani
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a Kogi State House of Assembly candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ismaila Yusuf Atumeyi with N326million and $140,500 cash.
The anti-graft agency in a statement issued on Tuesday, by its Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said Atumeyi, who is seeking to represent Ankpa II state constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, was arrested alongside one Abdumalik Salau Femi, a former bank employee and one Joshua Dominic, an alleged serial fraudster, in a sting operation at Macedonia Street, Queens Estate, Karsana, Gwarinpa, Abuja.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the politician and his syndicate were involved in the hacking of one of the commercial banks in which N1.4 billion was stolen.
It further alleged that Femi supplied the inside information that facilitated the attack on the bank by the syndicate, adding that after his arrest, a search was conducted on his home in Morgan Estate, Ojodu where a total of $470,000 was recovered.
“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,” EFCC said.
“Dominic, who has been arrested for fraud on several occasions, 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. They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.”
The EFCC also expressed concerns over rising spate of cyber-attacks on banks and the reluctance of the institutions to report such breaches to law enforcement.
The commission appealed to the various financial institutions to collaborate with it to secure the financial sector from threats of cyber-attacks.
