Man declared wanted for stealing EFCC car

A 26-year-old Ibrahim Mohammed has been declared wanted for allegedly stealing a car belonging to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement released on Friday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said Mohammed is wanted in connection with the theft and illegal possession of the commission’s vehicle.

The suspect is reported to be an indigene of Jada Local Government Area in Adamawa State.

The EFCC has urged anyone with information regarding Mohammed’s whereabouts to contact the commission immediately.

“The public is hereby notified that Ibrahim Mohammed is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of stealing and illegal possession of commission’s vehicle,” the statement reads.

“Mohammed, 26, is an indigene of Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa state and his last known address is: 56 Japa Bariki Road, Adamawa state.

“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Oyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its email address: info@efcc.gov.ng.”

Earlier, the anti-graft agency announced that Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu convicted and jailed one Okwudili Joseph for fraud.

He was prosecuted on a one-count charge bordering on impersonation and cybercrime by the Enugu Zonal Directorate the EFCC.

The charge reads: “That you, Okwudili Joseph, on or about the 5th day of June, 2024 at Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated one Jim Warren, a gas detection specialist from the United States of America with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act.”

He pleaded “guilty” when the charge was read to him, following which prosecution counsel, Mohammed Shehu reviewed the facts of the case and prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly, while the defence counsel, G. C. Ugwele prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, arguing that her client has become remorseful of his action and has learned his lesson as well.

After listening to both sides, Justice Umar convicted and sentenced Joseph to two years imprisonment with hard labour or to pay a fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira).

The convict’s road to jail began with his arrest by EFCC operatives on June 5, 2024 in Nike, Enugu, following credible intelligence that linked him to fraudulent internet activities. He admitted to the commission of the crime upon arrest and willingly tendered his confessional statements.