The Nigerian Police, operating through its Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCID) in Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos State, have announced the arrest of Oyeabuchi Daniel Okafor and Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu. They are accused of conspiring to defraud Mr. John Ikechukwu Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, of the sum of N55 million.
According to Tribune Online, the family of the veteran actor had previously disclosed his health struggles and sought financial support from fans. However, the FCID, in a recent press release, revealed that they took action based on a petition from Diamond Waves Law, representing Mr. Ibu’s wife, Stella Maris Chinyere Okafor, who alleged that two sons and an adopted daughter conspired to defraud the actor.
“On 6th September, 2023, a petition was received from Diamond Waves Law on behalf of Stella Maris Chinyere Okafor wherein one Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor, Valentine Okafor, both of whom are sons of Mr. John Ikechukwu Okafor (Alias Ibu) and Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu were alleged to have conspired to defraud Mr. Ibu while being on sick bed.
“Investigation into the case established that as part of efforts to fund his medical bills, Mr. Ibu launched a public fund-raising initiative and attracted donations from his fans, entertainment industry players, and other well-spirited members of the public into a bank account which he publicized and dedicated for the purpose. Mr. Ibu’s wife, Mrs Stella Maris Chinyere Okafor was initially managing the funds to defray the medical bills of Mr. Ibu and sustain the family. However, along the line, the duo of Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor and Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu manipulated Mrs Stella Maris Chinyere Okafor, took possession of Mr. Ibu’s phone, and hacked into the banking details therein,” the Police said.
Continuing, ASP Mayegun Aminat, the spokesperson for FCID, detailed how the pair reinstalled the banking app on Okafor’s phone, facilitating the transfer of N55 million from the funds intended for the actor’s medical expenses. The police revealed that Oyeabuchi Daniel Okafor and Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu had orchestrated a fake marriage at Ikoyi registry and had also applied for visas, indicating plans to leave the country.
“They thereafter re-installed the mobile banking applications of Mr. Ibu on the phone of Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor preparatory to the perfection of their preconceived fraudulent plans and wiped off the banking applications originally installed on Mr. Ibu’s phone, thereby, taking direct and full charge of banking activities of Mr. Ibu in relation to the funds being donated by members of the public in support of his medicals.
“Through this fraudulent act, Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor and Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu started transferring funds from Mr. Ibu’s public fundraising account to Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor’s personal bank with forensic analysis of their illicit financial dealing establishing that a total of fifty five million naira (=N=55M) has been successfully and criminally transferred prior to their arrest and investigation.
“Investigation also unearthed text messages via WhatsApp between Jasmine Chioma and Daniel Okafor detailing in stage-by-stage how they conspired and hatched their criminal plans. It was also established that the two suspects, Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu and Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor had a sham marriage at the Ikoyi Marriage Registry with plans to escape from the country to UK where they intended to settle with their proceeds of crime. They already applied for a UK Visa in furtherance to this plan prior to their arrest,” the statement added.
The FCID reported the recovery of N50 million from the suspects and informed that they have been formally charged with conspiracy and stealing at Chief Magistrate Court 1, Yaba, under Charge No. A/06/2024.
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