Detectives at the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Alagbion, Ikoyi, Lagos, have successfully recovered N50 million allegedly withdrawn from the compromised bank account of the beloved Nollywood actor, Mr. John Okafor, widely known as Mr. Ibu.
This remarkable breakthrough has also led to the apprehension of Mr. Ibu’s son, Onyebuchi Okafor, and his lover, Jasmine Okekeagwu, who now face charges related to conspiracy and stealing.
The arrest and subsequent legal action came in response to a petition filed by Diamond Waves Law on behalf of Mr. Ibu’s wife, Stella Maris Okafor, dated September 6, 2023.
The petition implicated Mr. Ibu’s sons, Daniel and Valentine Okafor, along with Jasmine Okekeagwu, in a conspiracy to defraud the ailing actor.
ASP Mayegun Aminat, spokesperson for the FCID, revealed that the investigation uncovered a scheme where Mr. Ibu initiated a public fundraising campaign to cover his medical bills.
This effort attracted contributions from fans, members of the entertainment industry, and the public. Mrs. Stella Maris Okafor initially managed the funds for medical bills and family support.
However, Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor and Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu allegedly manipulated Mrs. Stella Maris Okafor, gaining access to Mr. Ibu’s phone and hacking into his banking details.
Aminat explained that the duo took control of Mr. Ibu’s mobile banking applications, wiped off the original applications, installed a new one on Daniel Okafor’s mobile, and initiated fraudulent transfers from the public fundraising account to Daniel Okafor’s personal bank account.
A total of N55 million was criminally transferred before the arrest of the suspects. Forensic analysis traced the stolen funds to Onyeabuchi Okafor’s account, where it was discovered that N5 million had been spent on questionable transactions, while the remaining N50 million was successfully recovered.
The investigation further revealed that Jasmine Okekeagwu and Onyeabuchi Okafor had orchestrated a sham marriage at the Ikoyi Marriage Registry with plans to flee the country to the United Kingdom, intending to settle there with the ill-gotten gains.
The suspects had even applied for a UK Visa in pursuit of this plan before their apprehension.
Text messages exchanged via WhatsApp between Jasmine Chioma and Daniel Okafor detailed the step-by-step conspiracy and execution of their criminal plans.
Onyeabuchi Okafor and Jasmine Okekeagwu have now been charged to the Chief Magistrates Court 1, Yaba, with the case adjourned to March 11, 2024.
Both were granted bail in the sum of N15 million with two sureties in like sum.
The case file has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities are treating this elaborate financial crime involving the revered actor, Mr. Ibu.
As legal proceedings unfold, the public awaits further insights into the intricacies of this case and justice for the victims of this audacious scheme.
