EFCC Chairman Reveals How Judge Lost ₦7.2 Million to Cybercriminals
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has narrated how suspected internet fraudsters, commonly known as 'Yahoo boys', allegedly stole over ₦7.2 million from the bank account of a serving judge in one of Nigeria's South-South states. The incident occurred about three weeks ago and was disclosed by Olukoyede at the public presentation of two books written by retired High Court judge, Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye.
Debit Alerts Woke the Judge from Sleep
According to Olukoyede, the judge received multiple debit alerts in the middle of the night, which woke her from sleep. She then discovered that the money she had painstakingly saved over six years for her child's education abroad had been withdrawn from her account. 'About three weeks ago, I got a call at 1 a.m. from a serving judge in one of the states in the South-South. She was crying. She had just been scammed of over ₦7.2 million she had been putting together for six years to send her child to school abroad,' Olukoyede said. He added that 'It was alerts that woke her up. She received debits at that time of the day.'
EFCC Recovers Stolen Funds Within Hours
Olukoyede did not disclose the exact method used by the fraudsters to gain access to the account, nor did he identify the judge or the state where the incident occurred. However, he confirmed that the EFCC immediately swung into action after receiving the distress call and was able to recover the stolen funds before 6 p.m. the same day. 'Before 6 p.m., we recovered the entire money for her,' he stated.
Irony of Court Order Restraining EFCC
Olukoyede also recounted an ironic aspect of the incident. According to him, the judge serves in a state where a court had previously issued an order restraining the EFCC from investigating certain financial crimes. When the judge contacted him for help, he reminded her of the court order. 'I said, 'My Lord, I have an order, an injunction not to investigate financial crimes in your state.' She said, 'No, no, no! This is an exception. You must do something immediately,'' Olukoyede recounted. The experience underscored the need for Nigerians to support efforts to tackle cybercrime, as many only appreciate the importance of anti-corruption agencies after becoming victims themselves.
Call for Stronger Cooperation Against Cybercrime
Olukoyede used the incident to call for stronger cooperation among law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, financial institutions, and the public in combating cybercrime and other financial offences in Nigeria. He warned that internet fraud has become increasingly sophisticated, with advances in technology, including artificial intelligence, making it easier for criminals to target unsuspecting victims. 'Not until we, as Nigerians, come together and agree to face this challenge, it is only then that we will be able to put this problem behind us,' he said. The EFCC chairman has repeatedly raised concerns about the evolution of cybercrime, noting that some syndicates have expanded into more organised criminal activities, making the fight against financial crimes increasingly complex.
