32 Suspects Arrested for Alleged Ponzi, Employment Fraud in Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom map

By JUMOKE SANNI

Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have commenced investigations of 32 suspects arrested on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 for suspected ponzi-style investment and employment scam at multiple locations in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The suspects are: Miracle Samuel, Christopher Samuel, Yohana Sabo, Ahmed Abdulahi Yarima, Reuben Ezekiel, Terfa Godwin, Zakurs Yakubu, Isah Jaafar Jagaba, Clement Nwakonobi, Rosemary Vifilo Yusuf Ataza, Francis Samuel, Tatah Fidelis, Emenike Ikechukwu, David Allawo, Danjuma Ibrahim, Blessing Seagod, Suleiman Saidu, Nuhu Bridget, Ebi Nwose,Anthony Fredrick, Mathew Satasi Zamani, Hassan Yakubu, Benjamin Obadiah, Stephen Joseph,Toma Peter, Samson Galadimma, Ochim Agnes and Mahmud Sufiyan.

Others are: Ephraim Emmanuel, Kenneth Okonkwo, Jeremiah Emmanuel, and Abdulmajid Barde, alleged to be the coordinators of the various locations of the criminal gang.

Their arrest followed weeks of surveillance regarding the alleged criminal activities of the gang.

According to a petitioner, a member of the syndicate named Sufiyan Mahmud called his elder brother regarding a job opening at a non-existent oil and gas company purportedly called ‘TROPICANA OIL AND GAS COMPANY’, which the brother allegedly asked him(the petitioner) to apply for.

The petitioner said he abandoned his fashion design business in Kogi State and arrived Uyo on the June 15, 2025, and was received by another member of the syndicate named Abdulmajid who claimed to be the younger brother of the Managing Director of the fictitious oil and gas company. He said he was subsequently taken to another location where he was interviewed by another member of the gang named Zamani Matthew who cautioned him against asking too many questions but to accept whatever he was told and to comply with whatever instructions he was given. One of which included a payment of N900,000.00, with an initial deposit that must not be less than N150,000.00.