…as management of Obasanjo Library demands ₦3.5 billion in damages and a public apology.
ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied that the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was the target of its recent operation in which 93 suspected internet fraudsters were arrested.
The clarification comes after the management of the OOPL, on Wednesday, demanded ₦3.5 billion in damages and a public apology, accusing the anti-graft agency of invading private property and violating the rights of guests attending an event within the library premises.
In a statement on Thursday, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the arrests took place at a hotel located within the precincts of the OOPL, following intelligence reports that the suspects were holding a pool party to celebrate proceeds from alleged cybercrime activities.
“The party, initially planned for two separate locations, was shifted to the hotel in OOPL ostensibly to escape possible arrest,” Oyewale explained. “The planners believed the location would shield them from law enforcement, but they were mistaken.”
According to the EFCC, profiling of the suspects revealed that almost all were implicated in offences bordering on impersonation, identity theft, and internet fraud.
Oyewale confirmed that 23 of the arrested suspects will be arraigned on Friday, August 15, before Justice D. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, while the remaining suspects will face prosecution in batches.
“The former President’s facility was not a target of the EFCC’s operations. The suspects were the target and have confessed to their involvement in internet crimes,” he added.
The EFCC stressed that its focus remains on bringing the suspects to justice, while legal proceedings for the others will follow in due course.
