EFCC Denies Targeting Obasanjo Library in Arrest of 93 Suspected Fraudsters 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has clarified that the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was not the target of its recent operation in which 93 suspected internet fraudsters were arrested.

The management of the Presidential Library on Wednesday demanded N3.5 billion in compensation and a public apology from the EFCC, describing the operation as an invasion of private property and an infringement of the OOPL’s rights as a corporate entity, as well as “a stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who gathered for the event.”

In a statement on Thursday, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the arrests were made at a hotel located within the precincts of the OOPL.

He added that the arrests followed intelligence that the suspects were holding a pool party to celebrate alleged illicit activities.

Oyewale said the party, originally scheduled to hold in two different locations, was moved to the hotel in the OOPL in an attempt to avoid detection.

He noted that the profiling of the suspects indicted almost all of them for offences bordering on impersonation, identity theft, and internet fraud.

He, however, said 23 of the 93 arrested suspects would be arraigned on Friday in Lagos.

Oyewale said, “Sequel to the arrest of 93 suspected internet fraudsters at a hotel within the precincts of former President Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OOPL, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will, on Friday, August 15, 2025, arraign 23 out of the suspects before Justice D. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

“Upon profiling, almost all the suspects arrested have been indicted for alleged offences bordering on impersonation, identity and internet fraud.

“The arraignment of the suspects, scheduled in batches, is coming on the heels of their arrest at a pool party where they were celebrating their exploits. The party was initially planned to hold in two locations but was shifted to the hotel in OOPL ostensibly to escape possible arrest by operatives of the EFCC.

“The planners got wind of the Commission’s intelligence and scampered to the OOPL, expecting a sort of cover from arrest. The former President’s facility was not a target of the EFCC’s operations. The suspects were the target and have confessed their involvement in internet crimes.

“The arraignment of the remaining suspects is expected to follow shortly.”

PUNCH