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July 15, 2021

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021 IFM Social Media

EFCC Warns Hotels To Stop Helping Yahoo Boys After Controversial Lagos Hotel Raid

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned hotels in the country to stop aiding internet fraudsters.

EFCC says hotel owners could be imprisoned for allowing fraudsters use their properties.

The anti-graft agency's spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 owners could become criminally liable for allowing their premises to be used for cybercrime.

He noted that this is a contravention of the Advance Fee Fraud Act which on conviction could lead to a five-year term in prison without the option of a fine.

"The Commission warns hoteliers from allowing their premises and facilities to become havens for cybercrime," he said.

Wednesday's statement was a reaction to EFCC's recent raid on Parktonian Hotel, Lagos where operatives arrested at least 30 people accused of internet fraud.

Media reports and eyewitness accounts indicated that operatives invaded the privacy of guests and conducted illegal checks.

Some guests were also reported to have been naked when operatives gained access into their rooms with access keys reportedly obtained from hotel workers at gunpoint.

Uwujaren dismissed the allegations, submitting instead that EFCC was acting on verified intelligence on the activities of a suspected syndicate of internet fraudsters.

He said the hotel had been under surveillance, and that only the rooms of identified suspects were breached by operatives, with no break-in or violence involved.

He noted that 24 of the 30 people arrested have already confessed their involvement in cybercrimes and related activities.

"There was no incident as the hotel management served with the relevant warrant offered access to the operatives, to carry out their lawful duties," he said.

The EFCC spokesperson also noted that fraudsters have lately resorted to using naked women as a decoy to destroy evidence.

He said the anti-graft agency will not fall for the gimmick and will continue to carry out its lawful duties.

"Adherence to the rule of law remains a core principle moderating the activities of the EFCC and the Executive Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa has repeatedly said the agency under his watch will not deviate from the norm," he said.

The EFCC routinely carries out raids on businesses and residences to arrest internet fraudsters.

A man jumped to his death from the seventh floor of 1004 Estate in Lagos out of panic during one of such raids earlier this year.

The deceased was a guest at the estate, and EFCC denied being aware of the incident until after agents left the scene 'without incident'.

July 1, 2021

July 1, 2021July 1, 2021 IFMNEWS

Reps Move To Clamp Down On Dubious Estate Developers

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has set up an ad-hoc Committee to investigate complaints of alleged misconduct of real estate developers in the country.

The establishment of the committee, chaired by Rep. Blessing Onuh (APC-Benue), was sequel to the unanimous adoption of a motion by Rep. Boma Goodhead (PDP-Rivers), at plenary on Wednesday.

Moving the motion earlier, Goodhead said that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is one of Nigeria’s top property hotspot, as well as the political and governmental heart of the country.

According to the lawmaker, the FCT is one of the two primary international business gateways into Nigeria, and investment has allowed it to develop a burgeoning real estate industry to meet the growing need for housing.

She noted that real estate development meant further economic growth as evidenced by the growing number of real estate developers in the FCT, proposing off-takers housing solutions to individuals.

“Complaints of misrepresentation, deceit, fraud, non-delivery, incessant breach of contracts with zero consequences, impunity, unethical/illegal clauses that offer no protection for the client’s investment, money laundering, poor quality houses, among others, has continued to dominate the sector.

June 21, 2021

June 21, 2021 IFMNEWS

EFCC Chairman Bawa Says Tinubu Is Under Investigation

EFCC Chairman expresses disdain for media trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating former Governor of Lagos and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, according to the Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

Questioned by ThisDay on why Tinubu hasn't been arrested for alleged corruption, Bawa said: "You asked me a question earlier about arresting people before investigation and now you are saying why didn't we arrest Tinubu?

"Investigation is ongoing. When you are investigating matters like this, they don't end in a day. Thousands of investigations are going on, on a daily basis."

Bawa added that the EFCC won't engage in media trial.

Tinubu has been accused of controlling the finances of Alpha Beta Consulting and for using the company to divert Lagos State funds.

In 2011, the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) tried and acquitted Tinubu for allegedly operating 10 foreign bank accounts during his spell as governor from 1999 to 2007.

Tinubu, 69, is believed to be interested in vying for the office of the president of Nigeria in 2023.

Tinubu caused quite a stir during the 2019 general elections when a bullion van reportedly laden with cash, made an entry into one of his luxury property on Bourdillon, in Ikoyi.