Kogi state New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) House of Assembly candidate, Ismaila Yusuf Atumeyi has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The NNPP chieftain, as at the time of the arrest had in his possession N362m, and $610,500 cash.
Before his arrest, Atumeyi was contesting to represent Ankpa 11 constituency in the Kogi state House of Assembly.
He was nabbed in a sting operation at Macedonia Street, Queen’s estate, Karsana, Gwarimpa, Abuja on Sunday, 30 October, together with one Joshua Dominic, an alleged serial fraudster.
One Abdumalik Salau Femi, was also arrested in connection to this fraud. Femi was a former bank staff who allegedly supplied the syndicate with intelligence that facilitated the bank attacks. He was arrested on Tuesday, 1 November, and a total of $470,000 USD was recovered from him.
The Investigation which eventually led to the suspects arrests was triggered by a hack into one of the commercial banks by a syndicate of fraudsters who pulled off a heist of N1.4billion.
Atumeyi, Dominic, and Abdumalik, collaborated to hack the commercial bank, after which a total of N887million was moved into the account of Fav Oil and Gas limited, and subsequently to different bureau de change operators in exchange for United States Dollars. Part of the money were also paid into auto dealers account in exchange for luxury cars.
Aside from the cash recoverd, two Range Rover SUV were also recovered from the two suspects arrested in Abuja.
Report from EFCC says, suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
