EFCC Charges Trio in Alleged N18.2m Online Impersonation Case

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three men over an alleged cybercrime scheme in which they reportedly impersonated Nigerian blogger and influencer Tunde Ednut to defraud members of the public of N18.2m.

The defendants, identified as Raymond Charles Yafetus, Auwal Ibrahim and Babangida Yahaya Ibrahim, appeared before Justice S.O. Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Abuja. They are facing a three-count charge involving alleged criminal conspiracy, cybercrime, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.

According to the EFCC, the alleged offences took place between April and June 2026. Investigators claim the defendants used the public profile of Adekunle Tunde Olaoluwa, popularly known as Tunde Ednut, to create a false online identity and open unauthorised bank accounts at several financial institutions in Nigeria.

The agency alleges that the defendants used the fake profiles and accounts to deceive members of the public and collect a total of N18,264,700. The charges cite provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, including Section 22(2)(b)(ii), with penalties provided under Section 22(b)(iv).

The three defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Following their pleas, prosecution counsel Elizabeth Alabi asked the court to set a date for trial and remand the defendants at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Justice Ibrahim granted the prosecution’s request and ordered that the defendants be held at the correctional facility. The case was adjourned until November 17, 2026, for the commencement of trial.