EFCC Cracks Down on Internet Fraud in Kwara, Arrests 17 Suspects and Nabs Fred Ajudua Over $1.43m Fraud

In a sweeping operation against cybercrime, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from the Ilorin Zonal Directorate have arrested 17 suspected internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as ‘Yahoo Boys’, across various locations in Kwara State. The arrests were carried out on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, following credible intelligence linking the suspects to a web of online fraudulent activities.

The suspects were apprehended during coordinated raids in Asa Dam, near Al-Hikmah University, the Gaa-Odota area of Ilorin, as well as in Ganmo and Amoyo within the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. The crackdown forms part of the EFCC’s sustained operation to dismantle internet fraud networks in the region.

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During the operation, authorities recovered three luxury vehicles, several high-end mobile phones, and laptop computers, all suspected to have been acquired through proceeds of internet fraud.

This latest sweep comes barely a week after the EFCC arrested 47 individuals in a similar operation in Ilorin and surrounding communities. Those arrests, like the most recent ones, followed intelligence reports pointing to the suspects’ involvement in romance scams, identity theft, and other forms of online fraud.

The suspects are currently being interrogated by EFCC officials and will be charged in court upon conclusion of investigations.

Fred Ajudua Arrested Following Supreme Court Order

In a separate but equally significant development, the EFCC has also arrested embattled businessman and socialite Fred Ajudua in Abuja. Ajudua, long associated with high-profile fraud cases, was taken into custody on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in compliance with a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The apex court, on Friday, May 9, 2025, revoked Ajudua’s bail earlier granted by the Court of Appeal in Lagos and ordered his immediate remand in correctional custody. In its unanimous decision, the Supreme Court held that the Appeal Court erred in granting bail, thereby reinforcing the seriousness of the criminal charges against him.

The justices directed that the trial be resumed before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State High Court, who is now tasked with presiding over the re-filed case.

Fred Ajudua’s legal troubles stem from a long-standing case involving a $1.43 million fraud allegedly perpetrated against a Palestinian national, Ziad Abu Zalaf, who was based in Germany at the time. According to official records, the Embassy of the State of Palestine raised alarm in a letter dated August 26, 1993, addressed to Nigeria’s then Minister of Foreign Affairs and copied to the Inspector General of Police, accusing Ajudua of fraudulently obtaining the funds under false pretenses.

The original case was filed before Justice Josephine Oyefeso, but the EFCC later restructured its legal strategy and transferred the matter to Justice Dada’s court. The new directive from the Supreme Court now revives the case and reinforces the EFCC’s position that Ajudua must face trial without further delay.

Strengthening Nigeria’s Anti-Fraud Landscape

The EFCC’s twin actions—the arrests in Kwara and Ajudua’s detention—reflect the commission’s intensified efforts to confront various forms of financial crime. Cyber fraud, often committed by tech-savvy youths, has become a growing concern for Nigerian authorities. The use of online platforms for romance scams, phishing attacks, and business email compromise schemes has risen sharply in recent years.

In response, the EFCC has increased surveillance and intelligence-led raids across hotspots known for harboring internet fraud networks. Ilorin, for instance, has become a focal point of operations following repeated findings of cybercrime syndicates operating in student-populated zones.

Simultaneously, the commission has shown renewed commitment to reviving dormant high-profile cases, especially those involving foreign victims and reputational risks to Nigeria’s international image. Fred Ajudua’s case, which has lingered in the judicial system for over two decades, is one such example.

The 17 newly arrested suspects in Kwara are currently undergoing profiling and forensic analysis of seized devices. Charges will be filed based on the evidence retrieved from electronic devices, bank statements, and witness testimonies.

As for Fred Ajudua, legal proceedings are expected to resume shortly under the supervision of Justice Dada. The EFCC has indicated that it will pursue the case with renewed vigor in light of the Supreme Court’s decision.

With these developments, the EFCC has reaffirmed its dedication to ridding Nigeria of corruption and internet fraud, sending a strong signal that both cybercriminals and high-profile fraud suspects will face the full weight of the law.