An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rashidat Chindaya, has told the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja that the suspected Nigerian mastermind, one Friday Audu, behind the activities of the landmark arrest of 193 foreigners and 599 Nigerians in December 2024, was a central figure in a cybercrime enterprise linked to transactions exceeding N3.4 billion.

Testifying as the seventh prosecution witness, Chindaya alleged that Audu was the sole signatory to accounts connected with the enterprise and exercised significant control over the operations of Genting International Limited, the company allegedly used to facilitate the criminal activities despite not being listed as a director in official records.

According to the EFCC, Genting International served as a vehicle for the acquisition of multiple properties in Victoria Island, Banana Island and Ikoyi, as well as the procurement of forged diplomatic-style documents and vehicle number plates allegedly used by members of the syndicate.

The testimony forms part of the prosecution’s case against Audu and Genting International Limited over alleged fraud involving $2.6 million and ?3.4 billion.

The case stems from the EFCC’s widely publicised December 2024 raid on a building located at No. 7 Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, where 792 suspects, comprising 193 foreign nationals and 599 Nigerians, were arrested in what the agency described as a sophisticated international cybercrime operation involving fake investment platforms, romance scams and cryptocurrency fraud.

Giving details of the investigation, Chindaya told the court that forensic analysis of electronic devices, banking records, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) documents and other exhibits linked Audu directly to the alleged criminal enterprise.

She further alleged that diplomatic passports recovered during the investigation were forged and that diplomatic and presidential vehicle number plates allegedly procured for certain Chinese nationals were not genuine.

According to the witness, investigators recovered phone messages in which Audu allegedly offered to procure diplomatic passports and special vehicle plates for foreign nationals, and also discussed rental arrangements relating to the entire Oyin Jolayemi property where the mass arrests were carried out.

The prosecution also relied on property documents, banking records and company registration documents to establish Audu’s alleged connection to the operation.

At the previous sitting on June 8, 2026, Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted several key prosecution exhibits, including an EFCC forensic report analysing phone communications, lease agreements, tenancy documents, deeds of assignment, CAC records relating to one BNF Construction Limited, bank records connected to Chumick Realty, said to be one of the Bureau de Change operators linked to the transactions, and multiple extra-judicial statements allegedly made by Audu.

Under cross-examination today, the EFCC witness made a number of notable concessions.

She confirmed that the Bank Verification Number (BVN) belonging to Audu was linked to Genting International’s bank account but acknowledged that the defendant was not among the 792 suspects arrested during the December 2024 operation at the Victoria Island premises.

The witness also admitted that no alleged victim or complainant had been produced before the court, and although the Commission concluded its investigation before filing charges, Audu was never declared wanted or arrested.

According to her, the defendant later presented himself to the EFCC after becoming aware that investigators had linked him to the company and its activities.

Audu and Genting International Limited are facing a seven-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, retention of proceeds of crime, forgery and possession of fraudulent documents. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges. (Channels TV)

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