EFCC Recovers N7.2m Stolen from Judge’s Account, Olukoyede Reveals

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed how suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys, stole more than N7.2 million from the bank account of a serving judge in the middle of the night.

Speaking at the launch of two books authored by retired High Court judge Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, Olukoyede said the judge contacted him around 1 a.m. after receiving multiple debit alerts from her bank.

According to him, the stolen money had been saved over six years to finance her child’s education. He explained that the victim lost about N7.2 million before reaching out to the EFCC for urgent intervention.

Olukoyede said the anti-graft agency immediately launched an operation and successfully recovered the entire amount before the end of the same day.

He noted that the incident demonstrates the devastating impact of cybercrime and urged Nigerians to treat internet fraud as a serious threat rather than a minor offence.

The EFCC chairman also called for stronger collaboration among law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and members of the public to combat cybercrime. He further appealed to lawmakers to update Nigeria’s legal framework to allow the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in criminal investigations, noting that current laws make it difficult for AI-generated evidence to be admitted in court.

At the event, former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), also urged anti-corruption agencies to intensify efforts to recover stolen public funds hidden abroad.

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