The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced investigations into 24 Nigerian youths arrested in Ghana over alleged involvement in internet fraud.
The suspects were apprehended on April 17, 2025, at Kumsark Estate in Oyarifa, a suburb of Accra, by operatives of Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). They were later handed over to Nigeria’s National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on April 25, 2025.
Speaking during the formal handover of the suspects to the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 on Monday, April 28, 2025, Comfort Agboko, the Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Lagos Command, said, “On Friday, April 25, 2025, the Agency received a total of 231 Nigerians comprising 24 suspects and 207 victims from EOCO, repatriated from Ghana following their arrest on suspicion of involvement in internet fraud.”
Agboko, who represented NAPTIP’s Director-General, Binta L. Adamu Bello, revealed that preliminary investigations indicated the suspects were engaged in various cyber-related crimes, “including romance scams, phishing, and fraudulent online transactions, some of which are suspected to have ties to cybercrime networks.”
She highlighted the importance of collaboration between NAPTIP and the EFCC, describing it as “pivotal in addressing the nexus between human trafficking, money laundering, and cybercrime.”
Recalling past successes, Agboko added, “This partnership had yielded significant results in the past, including a similar case handed over to your Commission in 2022, which led to the conviction of four suspects for Advanced Fee Fraud.”
According to her, the latest handover is “a continuation of this synergy,” with NAPTIP leveraging the EFCC’s expertise in financial crime investigations “to ensure thorough prosecution of the suspects.”
Receiving the suspects, Ahmed Ghali, acting Zonal Director of EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, expressed appreciation for NAPTIP’s continued cooperation.
“On behalf of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, I hereby take over the 24 suspects; 276 laptops; 118 mobile phones; 12 pieces of NIN; two Voter Cards; two Drivers’ Licences; 10 ATM cards; and five COVID-19 Vaccination cards,” Ghali announced.
He assured that the EFCC would conduct a “comprehensive investigation to establish the extent of the involvement of the suspects in the alleged fraudulent activities, while also unearthing their potential links.”
“I assure you that we will be diligent and investigate this matter. I also assure you that justice will be done and the perpetrators brought to book,” Ghali added.