NEWS
EFCC Recovers ₦7.2 Million Stolen by Yahoo Boys From Serving Judge, Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye’s Account After Midnight Cyber Fraud
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has narrated how operatives of the anti-graft agency successfully recovered more than ₦7.2 million stolen from the bank account of a serving judge by suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys, within hours of the incident.
Olukoyede disclosed the incident during the public presentation of two books authored by retired High Court judge, Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, where he used the experience to underscore the growing threat of cybercrime and the urgent need for stronger collaboration in combating financial fraud across the country.
According to the EFCC chairman, the serving judge contacted him at about 1:00 a.m. after receiving a series of debit alerts indicating that funds had been withdrawn from her account.
He explained that the money represented years of savings intended to finance her child’s education abroad.
“She had just been scammed of the money she had been putting together for six years to send her child to school,” he said.
Olukoyede revealed that before the judge reached out for assistance, approximately ₦7.2 million had already been stolen from her account.
He further disclosed that the incident occurred in a state where the EFCC had been restrained by a court order from investigating certain categories of financial crimes.
Despite the legal constraints, he said the judge pleaded with the commission to intervene immediately.
He quoted the judge as saying: “No, no, no! This is an exception. You must do something immediately!”
Responding swiftly to the distress call, Olukoyede said EFCC operatives launched an emergency operation that led to the successful recovery of the entire stolen sum within the same day.
“Before 6 pm, we recovered the entire money for her.”
The EFCC boss said the experience serves as a reminder that cybercrime is not a distant problem but one capable of affecting anyone, regardless of status or profession.
“When you become a direct victim, that is when you’ll know that something has to be done.”
Olukoyede stressed the need for stronger synergy among law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, financial institutions and members of the public to effectively tackle the rising wave of cybercrime and internet fraud in the country.
He also called on the National Assembly and legal experts to modernise Nigeria’s legal framework to accommodate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in criminal investigations and prosecutions.
According to him, existing legal provisions make it difficult for AI-generated evidence to be admitted in court, thereby limiting the effectiveness of modern investigative techniques.
“I wish our legislators and professors of law will take time and come together to look at this area and come up with laws that will help us in the area of AI.”
Also speaking at the event, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN), urged anti-corruption agencies to intensify efforts toward tracing and recovering stolen public funds hidden in foreign countries, describing asset recovery as a critical component of Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign.