EFCC arrests ‘fake personal assistant’ of Seyi Makinde

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Babawale Olayinka, an alleged impersonator and internet fraudster.

Olayinka was said to have paraded himself as the personal assistant on media matters to Seyi Makinde, the Oyo state governor.

The Ibadan zone of the EFCC said 25 other suspected fraudsters were arrested alongside Olayinka in the Soka area of Ibadan.

According to the anti-graft agency, the arrest was executed after intelligence gathering was conducted on their internet activities.

The EFCC said: “Operatives of the Ibadan zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday, February 11, 2022, arrested one Babawale Olayinka, a self-style Personal Assistant to the Oyo state governor on media matters, and 25 others at Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo state, over alleged internet-related fraud activities.

“The 25 suspects have admitted involvement in internet fraud activities. The indicted suspects are Wale Jegede, Adekunle Solomon, Babawale Olayinka, Olanipekun Adams, Toheeb Ademola, Olatunji Gbolahan, Oyowevotu Moses, Olaide Opeyemi, Olamilekan Rilwan, Olamilekan Akinyemi, Lekan Adenuga, Salami Segun, Lawal Samuel and Kolawole Fuad.”

Olarenwaju Gbolahan, Makinde Olamiposi, Michael Timileyin, Sheriff Ololade, Adewale Dayo, Ajobola Tajudeen, Kazeem Warrees, Obinna Duru, Shotayo Sola, Mohammed Suleiman and Makinde Ajibola complete the list of those arrested.

The EFCC said an identity card depicting Olayinka as the governor’s personal assistant was also recovered.

Other items said to have been recovered from the suspects include seven exotic cars, several laptops, mobile phones and incriminating documents.

The commission said the suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.