…smashes Land scammers in Uyo
By Grace Udoh
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC wishes to notify the public that a certain Peter Akpanke is no longer a staff of the Commission and has no authority to represent it or carry out any business in the name of the Commission.
This disclaimer became necessary following reports that Akpanke, who was dismissed from the agency, had been parading himself as a bona fide operative of the EFCC and using the false identity to harass and extort unsuspecting members of the public especially in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
The Commission enjoins members of the public to desist from relating with Akpanke or according him any privilege due to an officer of the law.
They are also advised to report any further solicitations from Akpanke to the nearest EFCC office or police station.
Meanwhile, the agency zonal office in Uyo
recently Smashed a Syndicate of 5 Suspected Land Scammers in different locations of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State over alleged N23m scam.
The suspects whose ages range between 37 and 57 are, Imaikop Okon Dickson, Pius Edem Akpan, Imeh Sam George, Godwin Inyang Obong and Lucy Akpan.
They were arrested based on a petition by one Emmanuel Etti who alleged that in July 2020, he got a call from one Grace Anietie Otuekong (at large) offering to sell a landed property belonging to the mother, Lucy Akpan, purportedly to save the life of her husband, one Hon. Anietie Otuekong that was critically ill.
According to the complainant, he was made to pay the money to Lucy in cash which he did in tranches to the tune of N23m. He later suspected foul play when he requested for her account details to complete the payment and the suspects disappeared.
Investigations into the matter revealed that the syndicate specialize in acquiring the master plan of a particular land and using same to dupe unsuspecting victims after claiming to be family members. This modus operandi worked for them for years before luck ran out of them on April 28, 2021 when operatives of the Commission arrested them.
The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
