Fake Aso Rock Official, Others Arrested in N22m Employment Scam

In a significant crackdown, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended a fraudulent State House official and several other suspects implicated in an elaborate N22 million employment scam.

According to a statement released on Friday by EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, the suspects were arrested for alleged criminal conspiracy, false representation, and employment fraud. The arrested individuals include Augustine Enamegbai Umogboi, Eleojo Josephine Idakwo, and Kingsley Onuh.

Umogboi purported to be a former official at Aso Rock, Idakwo falsely claimed to be a staff member of the Ministry of Information, and Onuh had recently completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The suspects were detained following investigations prompted by multiple petitions from victims who were promised high-ranking positions such as “Directors General” at various ministries, including the Ministry of Communication, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Among the suspects are Omata Sunday and the company Eljayon Nigeria Limited, which was allegedly used to funnel the scam proceeds through multiple bank accounts. The total amount swindled from the victims was N22,350,000.

The arrests occurred on different dates: Umogboi was arrested on June 16, 2024, Idakwo on April 30, 2024, and Onuh on April 3, 2024.

The EFCC has received numerous petitions detailing the victims’ experiences. One petition stated that in April 2023, Kingsley Onuh informed several clients about job opportunities at NNPCL and FRSC, with the support of Idakwo. They promised to secure employment for the clients in exchange for an upfront fee, followed by additional payments once employment letters were issued.

Another victim reported being approached in May 2023 by Sunday Omata, who claimed that Idakwo could secure a Director General position in the Ministry of Communication for a fee of N5 million. This victim alleged continuous demands for various payments to different accounts.

The EFCC has gathered substantial information from the suspects and plans to charge them in court once investigations are concluded.

Dele Oyewale

Head, Media & Publicity

June 21, 2024