Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have dismantled a syndicate of imposters posing as State House staff in Abuja. The group is accused of criminal conspiracy, false representation, and conducting an employment scam that defrauded job seekers of N22.3 million.
The suspects were apprehended following investigations prompted by petitions from multiple 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).
The arrested individuals include Augustine Enamegbai Umogboi, who claimed to be a former State House employee; Eleojo Josephine Idakwo, who pretended to be a staff member in the Ministry of Information’s Registry Unit; and Kingsley Onuh, who alleged he had just completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Other suspects are Omata Sunday and Eljayon Nigeria Limited, a company whose bank accounts were used to collect money from the victims. The group utilized various bank accounts to receive payments amounting to N22,350,000 from different victims.
Umogboi was arrested on June 16, 2024, while Idakwo and Onuh were arrested on April 30 and April 3, 2024, respectively.
Victims detailed their experiences in a series of petitions submitted to the EFCC. One petition revealed that in April 2023, Gabriel Kingsley Onuh informed clients about job opportunities at NNPCL and FRSC. With the assistance of Idakwo, who falsely claimed to work at NNPCL, they promised to help Toheeb Adesina, Asabe Gambo, and Tertindi Reginald Igbayue secure employment, provided they paid a fee in two installments: an initial part payment and a balance upon receipt of employment letters and the commencement of credential documentation.
Another petition described how in May 2023, Sunday Omata approached a friend with information from Idakwo, claiming her office in the Presidential Villa handled screening for “Directors General” appointments across all ministries and parastatals in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government. She allegedly demanded N5 million to start the application process for a Director General position at the Ministry of Communication, citing the need to cover costs and satisfy their boss. The victim was subsequently asked for additional payments through various accounts.
The suspects have provided useful information to the EFCC and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.