August 11, (THEWILL) — Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 93 suspected internet fraudsters during a raid on Green Legacy Guest House, a hotel located within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The agency in a statement, said the sting operation on Sunday, followed credible intelligence about their suspected involvement in internet crimes.
“Upon their arrest, 18 vehicles and mobile devices were recovered from them. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded”, the agency added.
Meanwhile, the management of the OOPL has condemned what it described as “invasion of private property” by the operatives.
OOPL, in a statement by the Managing Director, Vitalis Ortese, alleged that over 50 operatives of the EFCC had invaded a private event being held within its premises around 2 a.m on Sunday, shooting guns and threatening to kill people at the event.
Ortese said the operatives, led by one Olopade, stormed the OOPL in a “Gestapo-style” caused serious panic and chaos, leading to serious injuries among participants trying to escape the shooting.
“On inquiry by phone, the “Olopade” informed the Managing Director of the OOPL establishment, Mr Vitalis Ortese, that they were acting on an intelligence tip about a private event in the amusement facility of the complex.
“They also informed management that the police have been duly informed of the operation. It should be noted that the event was a private event that had been widely advertised to members of the public for days prior.”
Ortese, however, said both the police officers stationed at the OOPL gates and the additional police sent from the Kemta Police Station, as requested by the organisers of the event and management, said that they were not informed of any planned operation by the EFCC, neither did they present any warrant.
The statement read further: “And when the armed men were accosted by OOPL security and assisting police officers, they simply retorted, “We are doing our job”.
“Management wishes to state that this action by the EFCC is a clear case of invasion of private property, infringement of OOPL rights as corporate citizens, and indeed a stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who gathered for the event.
“Management has commenced its investigation of the invasion and will take up the matter with the highest authorities, including the EFCC, the police, and the Department of State Security.
“In the meantime, management demands an explanation of these impudent actions from the Commission and an apology from the EFCC authorities for the infringement of its rights, to all those who gathered, and those who sustained serious injuries from the gangster-like induced chaos.
“Failure for which the management will be compelled to seek redress and appropriate sanctions.”
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