Police recover N55 million stolen from Mr Ibu; son, lover arrested for fraud

Mr. John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, is a well-known Nollywood actor who is currently battling a serious illness. To raise money for his treatment, he launched a public fundraising campaign that received generous donations from his fans, colleagues, and the general public.

However, his son, Onyeabuchi Okafor, and his lover, Jasmine Okekeagwu, had other plans. They hacked into Mr. Ibu’s phone and bank account, and transferred N55 million from the fundraising account to their personal account. They also had a fake marriage and applied for a UK visa, hoping to flee the country with their loot.

Their scheme was exposed after Mr. Ibu’s wife, Stella Maris Okafor, filed a petition to the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbion, Ikoyi, Lagos. The FCID spokesperson, ASP Mayegun Aminat, confirmed that the suspects were arrested and charged to court for conspiracy and stealing.

She also revealed that forensic analysis showed that N5 million had been spent by the suspects on dubious transactions, while N50 million was recovered. She added that the investigation uncovered incriminating text messages between the suspects, detailing how they planned and executed their fraud.

The suspects were arraigned at the Chief Magistrates Court 1, Yaba, and granted bail of N15 million each with two sureties. The case was adjourned to March 11, 2024, and the case file was sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.