The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained the presence of social media personality, Adedamola Adewale aka Adeherself at a sensitisation programme for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
EFCC’s explanation is contained in a Monday statement.
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Describing Adeherself as a strategic partner in the fight against internet fraud, the EFCC had in a previous release disclosed that she spoke on Thursday, August 31, at the NYSC orientation camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.
However, the presence of the social media personality raised eyebrows on social media, with many chiding the commission for engaging an internet fraud suspect to speak to youths about the menace.
On February 8, Adeherself was re-arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja over an alleged N7.9 million internet fraud.
She was re-arraigned on three counts of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences, attempt to obtain money by false pretences, and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct.
Though the case was adjourned till April 18 for the commencement of trial, the outcome of the case remains unclear.
In Monday’s statement, the EFCC said that the case against the social media influencer had been determined and a non-custodial sentence passed by the court.
According to the EFCC, the court ordered the commission to tap her talent as an actress, skit maker and social media influencer in a programme of reformation to dissuade other youths from getting entangled in cybercrime.
The statement read, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, takes notice of the public reaction to the speaking engagement of Adedamola Adewale (aka Ade Herself) at the NYSC Orientation lecture of August 31, 2023 in Lagos; with many questioning the Commission’s wisdom in recruiting a purported fraud suspect to educate the youths against cybercrime.
“The public’s concern is duly acknowledged. Unfortunately, most of the comments bordered on lack of information on the status of the case involving Miss Adewale.
“It is important to state that the fraud charges brought against the Influencer by the Commission had been determined. Indeed, her presence in the Commission is pursuant to the judgement of court that ordered the Commission to tap her talent as an actress, skit maker and social media influencer in a programme of reformation to dissuade other youths from getting entangled in cybercrimes.
“Her engagement with the Commission is part of her non-custodial sentence.”
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