Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested two suspects over their alleged involvement in a N35.4 million investment fraud targeting 32 victims.
Securitynewsalert.com heard that the anti-graft agency, through its Enugu Zonal Directorate, announced that the suspects, Samuel Inalegwu Okpala and Ezelibe Emmanuel Nzube, were apprehended on February 17, 2026, for allegedly conspiring with Chibuike VincentDePaul Izundu, who is currently on the run.
EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the suspects were arrested following petitions from victims who claimed they were defrauded through a fake investment scheme linked to Paybeta Digital Limited, a company allegedly associated with Izundu, described as the principal suspect.
The petitioners alleged that representatives of the company convinced them to invest in a business purportedly dealing in recharge cards, electricity subscriptions, as well as DSTV and GOTV services. They were reportedly promised returns on investment ranging from 15 per cent to 80 per cent, depending on the investment duration.
The victims, however, claimed that the suspects disappeared after receiving the funds, making all attempts to recover the money unsuccessful.
Preliminary investigations by the EFCC reportedly revealed that Izundu collaborated with Okpala to carry out the fraud using Okpala’s account domiciled in RFB Global Resources Nigeria Limited. Investigators also disclosed that a bank token was recovered from Okpala during his arrest, which was allegedly meant to be delivered to Nzube on Izundu’s instruction.
Further findings reportedly uncovered incriminating messages on the suspects’ mobile phones, linking them to the alleged fraudulent scheme. The EFCC also stated that investigations suggested Nzube was involved in internet-related fraud, particularly romance scams.
The commission said the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing principal suspect.
