Alleged Cybercrime: EFCC Commences Investigation of 24 Suspects Arrested in Ghana

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have begun investigations into 24 Nigerian youths arrested in Ghana for alleged involvement in internet fraud. The suspects were apprehended by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) of Ghana on April 17, 2025, at Kumsark Estate, located in Oyarifa, a suburb of Accra.

Following their arrest, the suspects were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on April 25, 2025, alongside 207 other Nigerian nationals classified as victims. The coordinated repatriation marked a significant milestone in cross-border law enforcement cooperation aimed at tackling cybercrime and related offences.

Preliminary Findings and Nature of Offences

Speaking during the official handover ceremony on April 28, 2025, Comfort Agboko, Zonal Commander of NAPTIP’s Lagos Command, revealed that preliminary investigations had linked the suspects to various cyber-related offences. These included romance scams, phishing attacks, and fraudulent online transactions, with some activities suspected to have ties to wider cybercrime networks.

Representing NAPTIP’s Director General, Binta L. Adamu Bello, Agboko emphasized the growing intersection between cybercrime, human trafficking, and money laundering. She praised the collaboration between NAPTIP and the EFCC as vital to addressing these multifaceted crimes, noting that previous joint efforts had resulted in significant convictions, including a notable case in 2022.

Strengthening Institutional Collaboration

Agboko described the handover as a continuation of a productive partnership between NAPTIP and the EFCC. She highlighted that leveraging EFCC’s expertise in financial crimes investigation would ensure a thorough and professional prosecution process. “This partnership has yielded results in the past, and the current handover underscores our commitment to sustaining it,” she said.

She further stressed that transnational crimes such as cyber fraud required strong inter-agency cooperation to dismantle sophisticated criminal networks. Agboko expressed confidence that the EFCC’s investigation would uncover deeper layers of criminality, possibly extending beyond the currently detained suspects.

EFCC’s Commitment to Justice

Receiving the suspects, Ahmed Ghali, Acting Zonal Director of EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, expressed gratitude to NAPTIP for its consistent collaboration. He reiterated the EFCC’s commitment to conducting a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the matter.

Ghali stated, “On behalf of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, I hereby take over the 24 suspects along with 276 laptops, 118 mobile phones, 12 National Identification Numbers (NINs), two Voter Cards, two Driver’s Licenses, 10 ATM cards, and five COVID-19 vaccination cards.” He assured the public and relevant stakeholders that diligent investigations would be carried out to ensure that justice is served.

The Road Ahead: Investigations and Prosecutions

With the suspects and critical evidence now in its custody, the EFCC is expected to begin detailed interrogations, forensic analysis of digital devices, and financial tracking to establish the full scope of the alleged crimes. Particular attention will be paid to uncovering possible links between the arrested individuals and larger cybercrime syndicates operating across West Africa.

The outcome of the investigations could have wide-reaching implications, not only for the suspects but also for Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat internet-related crimes and enhance its international image. As the EFCC moves forward, the spotlight will remain on ensuring transparency, adherence to due process, and securing convictions where guilt is established.