The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday confirmed the arrest of Kogi State House of Assembly candidate Ismaila Yusuf Atumeyi and two others.
Atumeyi, of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), was arrested on Sunday with N326 million and $140,500 cash.
The cash haul was part of the ongoing investigation of the suspect for alleged N1.4 billion.
Those arrested in connection with the investigation of Atumeyi, are Joshua Dominic and Abdumalik Salau Femi.
According to a statement by the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the suspects will be charged to court after the conclusion of investigation.
The statement reads: “Atumeyi, who is seeking to represent Ankpa Constituency II in the Kogi State House of Assembly was arrested on Sunday, October 30, 2022 alongside one Joshua Dominic, an alleged serial fraudster, in a sting operation on Macedonia Street, Queens Estate, Karsana, Gwarinpa, Abuja.
“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. He was picked up today, 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 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 N1.4 billion.
“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 U.S. 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.
“Dominic was arrested in May 2021 by the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police for 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.
“They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.”
But the EFCC said it was worried by cyber-attacks on banks.
The statement added: “Meanwhile, the Commission expresses concern about the rising spate of cyber-attacks on banks and the reluctance of the institutions to report such breaches to law enforcement.
“While warning that such reticence would only embolden the criminals, the EFCC appeals to financial institutions to collaborate with it to secure the financial sector from threats of cyber-attacks.
In the wake of the recent announcement by the Central Bank Nigeria (CBN) to redesign and re-issue higher denominations of the naira, EFCC had warned Bureau de Change operators to be wary of currency hoarders.
