The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied claims that it targeted the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in a sting operation that led to the arrest of 93 suspected internet fraudsters.
Spokesperson for the anti-graft agency Dele Oyewale said in a statement on Thursday: “The former President’s facility was not a target of EFCC’s operations. The suspects were the target and have confessed to their involvement in internet crimes.”
Oyewale explained that the arrest took place at a hotel within the OOPL complex during a pool party allegedly organised to celebrate proceeds from cybercrime.
He added: “The operation was the product of weeks of intelligence gathering and profiling of the suspects’ online activities. The suspects had initially planned to hold the party at two other venues before settling for the hotel within the OOPL complex to avoid being detected.”
The commission said it recovered digital devices, vehicles and other exhibits during the raid.
Twenty-three of the suspects will be arraigned on Friday(today) before Justice D. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on charges bordering on impersonation, identity theft and other internet-related offences. The remaining suspects will be arraigned in batches.
Earlier the OOPL management described the EFCC’s action as a “Gestapo-like operation” and demanded N3.5 billion in damages as well as a public apology within seven days or face legal action.
In a statement, the organisation’s managing director Vitalis Ortese said: “We are fully persuaded that the acts are not only aggravated, unconstitutional, oppressive, capricious, and arbitrary, the actions are also clearly actuated by malice against the institution of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and also of its Chief Promoter, Olusegun Obasanjo…”
He added: “The OOPL is a national heritage site, not a haven for criminals.”
The N3.5 billion demand includes N1 billion for bodily injuries and property damage allegedly suffered by over 100 individuals, and N2.5 billion for reputational and commercial losses.
