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EFCC Arrests Fake State House Staff for N22m Employment Scam
Five individuals have been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for posing as State House staff, accused of running a large-scale employment scam worth ₦22.35 million.
The suspects, including Augustine Enamegbai Umogboi, Eleojo Josephine Idakwo, Kingsley Onuh, Omata Sunday, and Eljayon Nigeria Limited, allegedly defrauded numerous victims by promising them high-level government jobs in exchange for hefty fees.
The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that the suspects were arrested separately following investigations into petitions from multiple victims.
The suspects used various bank accounts to receive payments from their victims, with one victim alleging they were asked to pay ₦5 million to secure a position as Director General in the Ministry of Communication.
The EFCC has recovered useful information from the suspects and will charge them to court upon conclusion of the investigation. This bust serves as a warning to scammers and a promise to victims that justice will be served.
The EFCC reads:
The suspects are; Augustine Enamegbai Umogboi, who claimed to be a former staff of the State House, Eleojo Josephine Idakwo, a fake staff of the Ministry of Information in the Registry Unit, and Kingsley Onuh who also claimed that he just concluded his National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.
Others are Omata Sunday and Eljayon Nigeria Limited, one of the companies which bank account they were using to get money from their victims. Besides, they had different account numbers of
different banks through which they were receiving the money amounting to N22,350,00 (Twenty Two million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) from different victims.
Umogboi was arrested on June 16, 2024, Idakwo was arrested on April 30, 2024, while Onuh was arrested on April 3, 2024.
Many victims narrated their bitter experience in a series of petitions written to the EFCC.
A sample of such a petition reads : “we were reliably informed that sometime around April 2023, Mr. Gabriel Kingsley Onuh notified our clients about job opportunities in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation LTD (NNPCL) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). With support of Eleojo Josephine Idakwo who claimed to work in NNPCL, they undertook to assist Mr. Toheeb Adesina and Miss Asabe Gambo to secure employment in NNPCL, as well as Mr. Tertindi Reginald Igbayue in FRSC, subject to the payment of a fee. It was agreed that the payment would be in two tranches – initials part payment and the balance payment when the employment letter is ready and when documentation of credentials commences”.
Another victim in a petition written to the EFCC stated that “Sometime in May 2023, one of my friends, Sunday Omata approached me that one Eleojo Josephine Idakwu told him that their office in the Presidential Villa is responsible for screening applicants for the appointment of ‘Directors-General’ for all Ministries and Parastatals in the current government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As such they want me to apply for the position of Director General in the Ministry of Communication… She however gave me a condition that I must pay them Five Million Naira (N5,000,000) before they can start the process. Since it involves a big office, they cannot do all the contacts for free and their boss in the office requires some money too. Since then, they have been requesting all sorts of money from me with various accounts”.
The suspects have given useful information to the EFCC and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
Hon. Aliyu Muktar Betara, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has donated N100 million to the Borno state government to support victims of the flood in Maiduguri, the state capital.
Presenting the donation to Governor Babagana Zulum when he paid an-on spot assessment to the area affected by the flood, Betara expressed grief over the death and displacement of thousands of residents, while applauding the prompt intervention of the Governor in cushioning the effects of the flood.
Hon. Betara who represents Biu/Bayo/Shani and Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency of Borno State expressed solidarity with the victims, assuring that necessary intervention will be provided through relevant institutions with a view to ensure their rehabilitation.
He said: “Your Excellency, on behalf of the good people of Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya/Kusar Federal Constituency, I wish to commiserate with you and the entire State Government and all our people who are directly and indirectly affected by this unfortunate flood incident, which led to the untimely death of our dear beloved Brothers and Sisters.
“As evident, thousands of our people have been rendered homeless and their livelihood washed away. May Almighty Allah condole you and all of us and grant the departed souls of our loved ones Aljana-Filta.
“I wish to also commend your Excellency and your Cabinet for rallying support for our people who were affected by this unfortunate incident as well as the previous interventions you have initiated to bring succour to the affected people across the State.
“We are proud of you and wish to pledge our unfettered support in all ramifications in the bid to alleviate the suffering of our dear Citizens who elected us into various Offices.
“To this end, I wish to, on behalf of myself, Family and the good people of Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya/Kusar Federal Constituency donate the sum of N100 million to support the affected people of Maiduguri.
“I will also ensure that this flood disaster which remains a major humanitarian crisis will be brought to the attention of the parliament as a matter of Urgent Public Importance when the House resume from the annual recess in the coming weeks”.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) report that no fewer than 37 persons have died in the flood disaster which started started last week Friday.
After one year, six month the Nigerian Police, Edo State police command has apprehend a twenty six-year-old man, Ehis Jonah in connection with the train station attack and kidnapping at Igueben, Edo Central Senatorial District, on January 7, 2023.
Jonah, who revealed yesterday in Benin that he made N2 million from the dastardly act, was among the twelve suspects paraded for different crimes, and disclosed that he was contracted to provide logistics for the other suspects, using his motorcycle.
The prime suspect (Jonah) said: “I am a motorcycle rider. I was contracted by Amenvbagbe Ogelegbe to take him and others to the train station for kidnapping.
“Ogelegbe promised to pay me. So, I took them there. After everything, he brought N2 million for me, and said that was my share of the kidnapping.”
Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), who paraded the suspects, stated that Jonah was apprehended after police surveillance patrol stopped a motorcycle conveying him and two others on September 1, 2024
Yamu said: “During interrogation, one Techno spark 9 mobile telephone handset in their possession rang.
“The call was placed on hands free, during which the caller stated that the owner of the phone, Gazali Hassan, went missing on August 31, with his motorcycle.
“On the strength of the revelation, investigation was launched, and findings were that the suspects killed Gazali Hassan, and took his motorcycle.”
The PPRO also stated that police operatives quickly mobilised to the scene of the crime, along Idumoza pipeline in Uromi, Esan Northeast Local Government Area of Edo, and recovered the body.
He said: “Further investigation led to the arrest of seven additional suspects, who have been terrorizing Edo Central Senatorial District in crimes such as the robbery at Osigholo filling station and the deadly attack/kidnapping at Igueben train station.”
Yamu disclosed that investigation into the cases were ongoing with a view to arrest the remaining members of the syndicate and recover their operational weapons.
CSR-in-Action Group, a leader in sustainability-driven initiatives globally, successfully convened prominent industry leaders at its recent webinar to discuss the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). Themed “Navigating the Shift – Essential Implementation Insights for Businesses”, the event provided a platform for key stakeholders to examine the PIA’s impact on community stakeholders.
Meka Olowola, Director of CSR-in-Action, opened the webinar by highlighting the importance of the event. He said, “We recognise that all stakeholders, particularly businesses, are navigating new territory with the PIA, and their ability to do so effectively is key to the Act’s successful implementation. This is the basis for this event as a part of our constructive engagement process.”
He referenced the research conducted by CSR-in-Action, supported by the Ford Foundation, which underscored critical aspects of the PIA’s implementation. These include a substantial gender imbalance in leadership roles, a lack of comprehensive needs assessments by oil companies, and overall low awareness of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) framework within communities. This crucial research highlights the need to include these groups in the broader narrative of Nigeria’s oil and gas reform.
The event featured esteemed panellists, including Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary, NEITI; Mr. Dayo Okusami, Partner, Templars; Akinbambo Ibidapo-Obe, General Manager and Head of Commercial at Oando Energy Resources; Glory Alexander Thomas, Secretary Management of the Ibeno HCDT; and Eugenia Onyiriuka, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for the Assa North HCDT. These leaders shared valuable insights on how implementing the PIA is reshaping Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, particularly in promoting transparency, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility.
A key highlight of the webinar was the discussion about the governance challenges of the PIA. Dr Orji Ogbonnaya stated “The PIA is being implemented agency by agency without a coordinated, comprehensive strategy to guide the process. This is a major concern, as a stakeholders-driven, coordinated implementation plan, involving civil society, companies, and government is key to ensuring transparency and accountability. Without such coordination, agencies may avoid pushing the boundaries of transparency and accountability.”
Dayo Okusami also highlighted the critical role of transparency in the governance of the petroleum sector, noting that “Before the PIA of 2021, the last major legislation in the oil and gas sector was almost 60 years old. The PIA represents progress, but we must focus on realistic and sustainable implementation. No law is perfect. The PIA needs time, proper implementation, and patience.”
The importance of community consultation was also underscored by Glory Alexander Thomas, who stated, “Projects without diligent consultation with the host communities tend to lead to failure.” This sentiment was echoed by Mrs. Eugenia Onyiriuka, who remarked, “The PIA has changed a lot of things, including how women are involved in community affairs”.
According to Akinbambo Ibidapo-Obe, “The PIA presents a unique opportunity for HCDT to empower women and promote women-owned businesses as key service providers to the industry. At Oando, we are intentional about expanding our supply chain to include more women-owned businesses, ensuring they play a significant role in driving the sector forward.”
Meka Olowola concluded by emphasising CSR-in-Action’s leading role in sustainability reporting, showcasing their pioneering work in developing the first IFRS S1&S2 compliant sustainability report for a leading organisation in the oil and gas sector.
For more information on the PIA Implementation Research Report, visit https://www.sitei.org/pia-research