Babawale Olayinka: Governor Makinde’s aide, 25 others arrested for internet fraud in Ibadan

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 26 suspected internet fraudsters including a self-appointed Personal Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Media Matters, Babawale Daniel Olayinka.

A statement by the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said the self-styled “Personal Assistant on Media Matters” to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and 25 others were arrested by operatives of Ibadan zonal command following verified intelligence on their cybercrime activities.

Uwujaren said: “Operatives of the Ibadan zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday, February 11, 2022, arrested one Babawale Olayinka, a self-style Personal Assistant to the Oyo state governor on media matters, and 25 others at Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo state, over alleged internet-related fraud activities.

“The 25 suspects have admitted involvement in internet fraud activities. The indicted suspects are Wale Jegede, Adekunle Solomon, Babawale Olayinka, Olanipekun Adams, Toheeb Ademola, Olatunji Gbolahan, Oyowevotu Moses, Olaide Opeyemi, Olamilekan Rilwan, Olamilekan Akinyemi, Lekan Adenuga, Salami Segun, Lawal Samuel and Kolawole Fuad.”

“Olarenwaju Gbolahan, Makinde Olamiposi, Michael Timileyin, Sheriff Ololade, Adewale Dayo, Ajobola Tajudeen, Kazeem Warrees, Obinna Duru, Shotayo Sola, Mohammed Suleiman and Makinde Ajibola complete the list of those arrested.”

EFCC said it recovered an identity card from Olayinka, identifying him as the Personal Assistant on Media Matters to the Oyo State Governor, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde.

Other items said to have been recovered from the suspects include seven exotic cars, several laptops, mobile phones and incriminating documents.

The EFCC spokesman said the suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.

This comes barely three days after the EFCC arrested 42 suspected internet fraudsters, also known as Yahoo boys, at various locations in Asaba, Delta State.