EFCC Begins Investigation of 24 Suspects Repatriated from Ghana Over Alleged Cybercrime

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into 24 Nigerian youths arrested in Ghana over allegations of involvement in internet-related crimes. The suspects were apprehended by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) of Ghana on April 17, 2025, at Kumsark Estate, Oyarifa, a suburb of Accra.

Following their arrest, the individuals were repatriated to Nigeria and handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on April 25, 2025. The suspects were officially transferred to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC during a brief ceremony on Monday, April 28, 2025.

Speaking during the handover, Comfort Agboko, Zonal Commander of NAPTIP’s Lagos office, highlighted the gravity of the allegations. She stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the individuals were allegedly involved in cybercrimes, including romance scams, phishing, and fraudulent online transactions, activities believed to have links to organized cybercrime networks.

Agboko, representing NAPTIP’s Director General, Binta L. Adamu Bello, praised the ongoing collaboration between NAPTIP and the EFCC, noting that such partnerships are crucial in tackling the intertwined challenges of human trafficking, money laundering, and cybercrime.

“This partnership had previously led to the conviction of four suspects in 2022 for Advanced Fee Fraud, and today’s handover represents a continuation of our joint efforts,” Agboko said.

Upon receiving the suspects, Acting Zonal Director of EFCC Lagos Directorate 2, Ahmed Ghali, commended NAPTIP for its unwavering collaboration with the Commission. Ghali assured that the EFCC would carry out a comprehensive and diligent investigation into the suspects’ activities.

“On behalf of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, I hereby take custody of the 24 suspects along with 276 laptops, 118 mobile phones, 12 National Identity Numbers (NINs), two voter cards, two drivers’ licences, 10 ATM cards, and five COVID-19 vaccination cards recovered from them,” Ghali said.

He emphasized that the EFCC remains committed to ensuring that justice prevails and that all those found culpable would be prosecuted accordingly.

The EFCC’s investigation is expected to uncover not just the extent of the suspects’ alleged cybercrimes, but also any wider criminal networks they may be associated with.