By Karen James
The Anambra State Government has made a significant breakthrough in its fight against extortion as it arrests eight suspects involved in fraudulent activities in Awka. These suspects are accused of extorting over Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (800,000) from unsuspecting women in the area.
According to our reliable source, the suspects, including some bankers, were operating out of an office complex. Their modus operandi involved opening bank accounts for individuals, demanding a fee of ten thousand naira in cash and an additional ten thousand naira for purchasing association forms, totaling twenty thousand naira for each person.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Ify Obinabo, discovered this criminal activity after receiving a tip-off. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the suspects also had accomplices serving as coordinators in all twenty-one local government areas of the state. These coordinators were responsible for registration, while the bank staff handled account openings at the office complex.
During questioning, the leader of the association, Mrs. Joy Igboka, claimed she was operating under orders from a suspended Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Beta Edu. However, she later implicated the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and Industry as well. When pushed for information on whether the Commissioner for Petroleum Resources was aware of the operation, Mrs. Igboka stated that it was none of his concern.
As the questioning continued, the government’s staff discovered a sum of one hundred and forty-six thousand five hundred naira in registration fees, filled and unfilled forms, and a smartphone. These items were promptly handed over to the police for further investigation.
Some victims, including Mrs. Maryann Obikwe from Ọgbaru and Nneka from Oyi, claimed they had borrowed money for the registration and account opening process. They were led to believe that this would secure them National feeding program jobs in schools. Other victims, who wished to remain anonymous, alleged that the suspects had promised them oil money and school feeding jobs as well.
The Anambra State Government is determined to ensure justice is served, and the suspects will be charged to court after a thorough investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka. This operation serves as a warning to other fraudulent individuals engaging in similar activities. The government urges citizens to be cautious and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
