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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) released 58 out of the 69 students from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, who were previously apprehended on suspicion of internet fraud on Wednesday.
In the earlier hours of the day, the anti-graft agency conducted a midnight raid on hostels outside the campus, apprehending the students in the Oduduwa Estate area of Ile-Ife based on “actionable intelligence” regarding their alleged involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities.
John Alao, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Coordinator for South-West, confirmed the release of the students during a telephone conversation with Channels Television.
The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, also confirmed the release, stating that “many of the suspects duly profiled by the Command have been released, while profiling of suspects yet to be released will be completed without further delay.” However, Oyewale did not specify the exact number of students released.
The EFCC further announced that it would discontinue night-time sting operations in line with newly-reviewed arrest and bail procedures, as directed by the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede. The statement emphasized the Commission’s commitment to upholding the rule of law in the execution of its mandate.
Before their release, OAU students had protested at the EFCC office in Ibadan, expressing their displeasure at the arrest of their fellow students. The protesting students carried various placards with inscriptions such as “I am a medical student, not a Yahoo boy,” “Why remove the CCTV cameras if you are armed robbers,” and “Criminals trying to arrest criminals,” among others.
At the EFCC Ibadan office, security officials had cordoned off the premises. Despite the heavy security presence, the OAU students were demanding attention from the commission’s leadership.
