EFCC arrests Kwara lawmaker, six others for fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin zonal office, says it has arrested a member of the Kwara house of assembly (name withheld), for alleged N4 million fraud.

Isyaku Sharu, the commission’s zonal head, disclosed this in an interview with NAN in Ilorin on Thursday.

According to him, the legislator was arrested over alleged cheating, obtaining by false pretence and money laundering involving about N4 million.

He said that the lawmaker had sometimes in 2015 sold some plots of land to six retired teachers, prior to his political ambition.

“The lawmaker also issued receipts to the land buyers with the name of a company, which does not exist,” Sharu said.

“The complainants, Mary Kolade, Ezekiel Babatunde, Felicia Adebiyi, Grace Awolola, Julius Omole and Abiodun Balogun alleged that the suspect sold many plots of land to them, claiming to be the owner.

“They, however, later discovered that the land belonged to the Federal Ministry of Land and Housing.

“After paying about N4 million to the lawmaker, they decided to survey the plots of land so as to put their survey number on the deed of transfer between them.

“They then discovered through the officials of the Kwara State Ministry of Land and Housing that the land belonged to the Federal Ministry of Land and Housing.

“They were also barred from constructing anything on the land. All efforts made by the retirees to retrieve their money from the Kwara State House of Assembly member proved abortive.”

Sharu said that the commission also arrested six suspected internet fraudsters and recovered from them some cars, laptops, different types of phones and charms, among other items.

He said that two of the suspected fraudsters were arrested at the Ilorin International Airport while trying to board a plane in order to run away.

According to the zonal head, all the arrested persons will remain in the EFCC custody until they are charged to court.