EFCC reveals name of state with highest number of internet, cyber crimes in southwest

- Oyo beat Lagos, others to become the state with the highest number of internet and cyber crimes in the southwest, according to the EFCC

- Most of the crimes were committed in Lagos but the offenders found shield in Oyo state

- According to the commission, an average sum of N116,945,981.68 was recovered between January and June this year

The Ibadan zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, June 24, revealed that Oyo state has the highest number of internet and cyber crimes in the southwest.

Legit.ng's regional reporter in Ibadan, Ridwan Kolawole, reports that while addressing newsmen in Ibadan, the head, Ibadan zonal office, Friday Ebelo, said most of the crimes were committed in Lagos but the offenders found shield in the state.

Ebelo said if investigation was focused on a particular state, the state would no doubt have highest concentration and crimes. He lamented that the commission had no facilities for effective investigation in the zone, saying that it would have been easier to carry out investigations in five states in a day.

He also decried a situation whereby youths between ages of 18 and 39 were involved in the crimes, adding that majority of them had been convicted.

While noting that the commission remained resolutely committed to its mandate under the headship of Ibrahim Magu for optimum performance, he said the zone received a total of 481 petitions, secured 83 convictions out of 107 filed at different courts within the zone, representing 83 per cent of the total number of cases filed.

Ebelo also noted that between January and June this year, an average sum of N116,945,981.68 was recovered. In foreign currencies, he said $39,125, €1,800 and £50 were recovered while 54 registered and 11 unregistered vehicles also recovered.

Speaking on plea bargain by suspects, while noting that it did not start with Nigeria, he said that sometimes, they did reject some of the plea bargains. He explained that one thing about plea bargain was that the suspect has to be convicted which is at the discretion of the court.

“We have some of the suspects who have written the commission, asking for plea bargain some of which we have to reject.

“The judge has to look at the merit and the demerits of the case before granting or allowing plea bargain." he added.

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