The police recover N50 million stolen from Mr Ibu and press charges against his son and lover

Image: Social Media

Detectives at the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Alagbion, Ikoyi, Lagos, have successfully recovered N50 million, reportedly withdrawn from the compromised bank account of the ailing Nollywood actor, Mr. John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu.

In connection with this financial irregularity, Mr. Ibu's son, Onyebuchi Okafor, and his partner, Jasmine Okekeagwu, have been apprehended and subsequently charged to court on counts of conspiracy and theft.

The arrest unfolded following a petition submitted by Diamond Waves Law on behalf of Mr. Ibu's wife, Stella Maris Okafor, dated September 6, 2023, triggering the intervention of the FCID. The petition alleged a conspiracy involving Mr. Ibu's sons, Daniel and Valentine Okafor, and Jasmine Okekeagwu, aimed at defrauding Mr. Ibu.

ASP Mayegun Aminat, the FCID spokesperson, clarified that the investigation unveiled a public fundraising initiative initiated by Mr. Ibu himself to finance his medical bills. This initiative attracted contributions from fans, members of the entertainment industry, and the general public.

“Mrs. Stella Maris Chinyere Okafor, Mr. Ibu’s wife, 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 stated.

The spokesperson, ASP Mayegun Aminat, further elucidated that the two suspects, Daniel Okafor and Jasmine Okekeagwu, gained control of Mr. Ibu's mobile banking applications by replacing the original ones with a fraudulent version on Daniel Okafor's mobile device.

Subsequently, they initiated deceptive transfers from the public fundraising account to Daniel Okafor's personal bank account, amounting to a total of N55 million before their apprehension.

Forensic analysis disclosed that the pilfered funds were traced to Onyeabuchi Okafor's account. Notably, N5 million had been expended on dubious transactions, while the remaining N50 million was successfully recovered.

Investigations further revealed that the accused, Jasmine Okekeagwu and Onyeabuchi Okafor, had orchestrated a sham marriage at the Ikoyi Marriage Registry, with intentions to flee to the United Kingdom, using the ill-gotten gains. They had already applied for a UK Visa as part of their escape plan prior to being detained.

WhatsApp messages between Jasmine Chioma and Daniel Okafor were uncovered during the investigation, outlining the step-by-step details of their collaborative criminal schemes.

Onyeabuchi Okafor and Jasmine Okekeagwu have been formally charged at the Chief Magistrates Court 1, Yaba, with the case adjourned to March 11, 2024.

Both defendants were granted bail in the sum of N15 million each, with two sureties each required. The case file has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

Source: dailypost.ng

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#Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu
#Mrs. Stella Maris Okafor