The Abuja Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, headed by Adebayo Adeniyi, has launched a big Manhunt for the fleeing internet fraudster, popupalarly known as “yahoo boy”, Oyo Ekezie Joseph, a.k.a Tommy. He was arrested by operatives of the Cybercrime Section of the Commission on April 4, 2023, following intelligence reports.
The renenewed Manhunt followed the mysterious disappearance of Tommy since April 20th, 2023, when he was released from detention after allegedly parting with over $100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) being freedom fee.
Highly dependable sources close to the Commission told us that since his release, all effforts to recover items seized from him when he was arrested on April 4th, 2023, have proved abortive.
It would be recalled the the EFCC’s operative whisked him away from his Life Camp Brains and Hammers residence with his iphones 12, 13 and 14, being tools of his trade. Other items which were taken by the operatives but never accounted for, were luxury watches.
Also allegedly taken from Tommy at his residence during the arrest were: a C43 AMG Mercedes-Benz Coupe (2018) and an unlicensed Pump Action Gun
He was less bothered at parting with the aforementioned properties because all he wanted was his freedom.
But all the arrangements seem to have collapsed as the Commission has renewed manhunt for him. They are not only after Tommy, but his family members are being hunted by the anti-graft agency.
Sources hinted that while the deal was being packaged, the services of a Counsel, Barrister Mike Mbanefo that Tommy secured during his incarceration was turned down in place of the counsel provided by the Commission, a traditionby the operatives to keep their underground dealings top secret. Aside providing the Counsel, the Sureties were equally said to have been provided by the Commission for a fee.
Reliable sources hinted that it was also the Commission that provided the Sureties that signed Tommy’s bail bond. The services of the Sureties were allegedly paid for by the operatives as Tommy does not know any of them.
However, there is what is believed to be known as family bond which was signed by a certain Chiemeka Michael. Since the operatives could not access Tommy, due to his continuous disappearance, the operatives have resorted to looking for Michael to produce Tommy.
But Tommy may be far away from the shores of this country as the only thing he wanted which he got, albeit very temporarily, for which he allegedly struck a deal with the operatives, was to “kill the case”. This was why the operatives kept away his identity and story of his arrest away from the public circle, against known practices.
Though he is said to have remained incommunicado since April 20th, 2023 when he bought his freedom, sources in the know of the deal alleged that operatives of the Commission have commenced a desperate manhunt for Tommy due to pressure from higher quarters following the leak of the deal. The operatives have vowed to pick him up anywhere because he can not eat his cake and have it back.
Internet fraudsters, especially the very affluent ones, have always cried out over under hand dealing by operatives of the Commission, whom the yahoo boys accused of relooting their loot. As painful as the relooting of their loot seems, sources said their consolation has always been the fact that information concerning such high profile Internet fraudsters don’t get to be read in the media because they always play ball handsomely.
Usually, arrest and parade of internet fraudsters is given the deserved publicity by the Commission using the mass media, but Tommy’s case was an exception because of the deal he struck.
Sources revealed that the monetary implication of the deal to put him away from public glare was $107, 000 (One Hundred and Seven Thousand Dollars).
Very reliable insider said that between April 4th, 2023 when he was arrested and April 20th, 2023 when he was eventually released, the $107, 000 freedom fee was paid fully.
In the alleged deal, though photo and statement of Tommy was said to been taken and statement recorded under caution, both the photo and information has not yet been made public till the time of filling this report.
Of the about $107, 000 allegedly looted from Tommy, only $27, 000 is said to have reflected in the statement he wrote. “So that represents the only official recovery from the suspect”, our sources said.
What will the new chairman of the Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede do in this case, especially as he has promised to fight internal corruption? This is a billion Dollar question begging for answer.