Bankers, Indians top list of EFCC’s most wanted

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Several rogue bankers are wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for their role in fraud cases that exceed hundreds of millions on Naira.

Independent reports

Top on the list is one Bawa Thomas Momodu, a staff of Port Harcourt branch of Sterling Bank of Nigeria Plc.

Momodu according to EFCC is wanted in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, stealing, forgery and money laundering. He was alleged to be on the run with N27 million, which he fraudulently transferred from the account of an unnamed customer of the bank.

The 38-year-old banker, according to the statement from EFCC speaks English and Etsako languages fluently and was residing at Road 120, off Obi Wali Road, Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State before the incident.

Another suspect, Emeka Charles Ekekwe, an ex-staff of Fidelity Bank of Nigeria Plc, Sapele branch, Delta State is wanted for stealing and obtaining money by false pretences.

Ekekwe, EFCC said, bolted away with N146 million.

According to the statement, Ekekwe who was born on March 30, 1984, speaks Igbo and English fluently and was last seen at his No 1, 15 Bishop Ukpong Street, Bishop Ukpong compound, AT & P Quarters residence in Sapele.

Three Indians, Nemi Chand Kothari, Sanjay Sharma, Srinivas an Subramanian and Sunit Sharma are also wanted by the anti-graft agency. They are wanted for forgery, money laundering and stealing from their employer, AKS Steel Nigeria Limited.

Though, they were initially  arrested and released on bail, it was believed that they may have fled the country as they failed to show up for trial. 

Kothari (60) and Sanjay  Sharma (41) were last seen at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to the agency, their last known address was AKS Steel Nigeria Limited, located at No 48, Olatunbosun Street, Shonibare Estate, Maryland, Lagos Nigeria.

An Italian named Mariani Albino is also on the list. He is wanted for allegedly stealing N989 millon. The last known address of the run-away Italian was No 9B, Ezekwuese close, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

One Alhaji Muttairu Babatunde Babaegbe Orilowo is also among the wanted persons in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences and stealing. 

Though, EFCC did not state exactly how much the man allegedly stole, it however said that Orilowo speaks English and Yoruba fluently and was residing at I Otunba Adeniyi Street, Papa-Epe, Lagos. 

Next on the list of the wanted persons who are on the run is Badmus Luqman Adedeji, a former CEO/MD of KYC Motors Nigeria Limited, Kaduna. He was alleged to have stolen N40 million worth of Property belonging to First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

Adedeji, (45), a civil engineering graduate of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, hails from Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State and his last known address, according to EFCC was No. 4 Mori Road, Rigachikun, Kaduna. 

Also wanted for allegedly diverting N107 million to his private pocket is Nsikak Anthony Usoro.

Usoro,(35), an indigene of Mkat Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State worked with  Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited, located at No. 1 Capital Oil Close, Westminster, Ibru Jetty Complex, Ibafon, Apapa, Lagos.

Olabode Jacob Obayomi is also said to be on the run. He is wanted in connection with the unauthorised sale of N251 million shares belonging to the Ebonyi State Government.

Obayomi is the managing director of Standard Chartered Securities Limited, located at 116-118, Lagos House, Central  Area, Garki, Abuja. His last known address was Oke-Ero, Aiyedun Area in Kwara State.

Speaking to Saturday Independent, EFCC’s Head, Media and Public Relations Unit, Wilson Uwujaren,  assured that the suspects would be rearrested no matter how long it takes. He appealed to the public to corporate with the commission by providing useful information that could lead to their arrest.

“We are intensifying efforts to re-arrest them. That I can assure you. What I cannot tell you is the strategy we are adopting. What we need from the public is their corporation by providing useful information that can lead to their arrest,” he said.

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