….As IGP Directs National Cybercrime Centre To Sustain Fight Against CyberCrime, Fraud
Ayuba Sanusi
THE Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has arrested and arraigned a suspect Wilfred Bonse at the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of financial breach.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the arraignment is a step further in the pursuit of justice in the investigation of Patricia Technologies Limited’s security breach.
ACP Adejobi said in a statement: “In furtherance of the Police’s zeal to safeguard Nigeria’s, and by extension, global cyberspace, the Nigeria Police National CyberCrime Centre, on Thursday, 1st February 2024, advancing on the heels of a clinical investigation, arraigned Wilfred Bonse before a Federal High Court Abuja.”
Bonse, a resident of Flat 6, Block 9, Aso Garden Estate, Karsana, Abuja, allegedly participated in a case of conspiracy to commit computer-related fraud, money laundering and sundry offences to the tune of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000.00) contrary to Section 14(1) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act,2015, Sections 20(a)(b) and 21(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“The case is also a boost to the relentless efforts of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to combat cyber and cyber-enabled crimes and financial frauds in the country and beyond”, ACP Adejobi further stated.
Meanwhile, the court ruled that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility until the next date of hearing.
The Inspector General of Police IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, while reiterating the unwavering commitment of the Force to upholding the law and ensuring justice for all, has directed the Force National Cybercrime Centre under the leadership of CP Uche Ifeanyi Henry to keep trailblazing trends in alignment with global best practices in combating cyber and cyber-enabled crime in its dynamics.
In order to continually sustain the tempo of the fight against cybercrimes, or any inquiries or sharing information with the centre, members of the general public are urged to contact us via policecyberunit@npf.cybersecurity.gov.ng
Eighteen-Eleven Media reports that Patricia Technologies Limited, a cryptocurrency company, mid last year suffered a severe setback from a breach of its platform by suspected criminal elements, resulting in substantial asset losses to the company and customers.
The company acted swiftly and reported the matter to the cybercrime unit of the Nigeria Police Force, which in turn made a breakthrough in the investigation by arresting some suspects.
Eighteen-Eleven Media