The FBI in the United States of America has declared six Nigerians most wanted for cybercrimes.
According to a statement issued by the FBI on Friday, July 23, the Nigerians are wanted for fraud amounting to $6 million of over 70 U.S. businesses.
Their names were given as Michael Olorunyomi; Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh; Alex Afolabi Ogunsakin; Felix Osilama Okpoh; Abiola Ayorinde Kayode; and Nnamdi Orson Benson.
They were accused of executing a business email compromise scheme; that defrauded over 70 different businesses in the U.S., resulting in combined losses of over $6 million.
The gang’s leader, Uzuh is said to be hiding somewhere in Nigeria since October 19, 2016; when the district court of Nebraska, Omaha, US issued a federal warrant for his arrest.
The others on the list, according to the FBI, are declared wanted for sending spoofed emails to thousands of U.S. businesses, requesting fraudulent wire transfers .
Meanwhile, Britain on Thursday, July 23, asked Nigeria to explain where and how Nnamdi Kanu, a separatist leader who holds British citizenship was arrested.
This was after Kanu’s lawyer alleged he had been detained and mistreated in Kenya before being sent back to Nigeria.
Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group which wants part of southeastern Nigeria to secede, was on the run outside Nigeria for four years until he was brought to court in Abuja on June 29 and told he would face trial. read more
“We are seeking clarification from the Nigerian government about the circumstances of the arrest and detention of Nnamdi Kanu,” said Tariq Ahmad, a junior minister at Britain’s Foreign Office.
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The Federal Government has refused to say where Kanu was arrested; while Kenya’s ambassador to Nigeria has denied his country was involved.
Responding to a question about Kanu’s case from a lawmaker, Ahmad said Britain had requested consular access to Kanu; and stood ready to provide consular assistance.
The Department of State Services, the security agency that is holding Kanu, is yet to comment on the matter.
