The Nigerian Police, via the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCID) in Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos State, has announced the apprehension of Oyeabuchi Daniel Okafor and Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu. They are accused of collaborating to defraud Mr. John Ikechukwu Okafor, widely known as Mr. Ibu, of a sum totaling N55 million.
According to a report by Tribune Online, in October 2023, the family of the veteran actor disclosed that he had undergone five surgeries and sought further medical treatment abroad, receiving donations from his fans. However, the FCID, in a press release on Thursday, revealed that they acted on a petition from Diamond Waves Law, representing Mr. Ibu’s wife, Stella Maris Chinyere Okafor. The petition alleged that Mr. Ibu’s sons, Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor and Valentine Okafor, along with his adopted daughter Jasmine, conspired to defraud him.
The police statement explains that Mr. Ibu initiated a public fundraising campaign to cover his medical bills, managing the funds through his wife initially. However, the accused duo, Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor and Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu, allegedly manipulated Mrs. Stella Maris Chinyere Okafor, gained access to Mr. Ibu’s phone, and hacked into his banking details.
The FCID Spokesperson, ASP Mayegun Aminat, detailed how the suspects reinstalled the banking app on Okafor’s phone, transferring N55 million from the public donations meant for Mr. Ibu’s medical bills. The police claim that the suspects had a sham marriage and planned to flee to the UK with the proceeds of their alleged crime.
The FCID reports that N50 million has been recovered, and both suspects have been charged at the Chief Magistrate Court 1, Yaba, with conspiracy and stealing. They were granted bail, and the case has been adjourned to March 11, 2024. The case file has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.