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One Mr Joel Mba Okodi, alias chief who jumped bail four years ago in a fraud case charged against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been apprehended by operatives of the Rivers State Police Command.
According to a statement issued by the PRO, Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the suspect who was residing at Abak Road, Ikot-Ekpene in Akwa-Ibom State, and listed as a Director at Chismo Resources Limited in Ikot-Ekpene, deceitfully obtained N50 million from one Chief Okosisi and was subsequently arrested by the EFCC.
While the fraud case was under investigation by the EFCC, Okodi persuaded his friend, Ochoa Okeokwu, to stand as his surety to enable him secure bail.
Okeokwu submitted his property documents, valued at N50 million, as collateral at the EFCC office in Port Harcourt.
After bail, Okodi failed to appear for investigation at the EFCC office and evaded all phone calls.
On some occasions when he answered phone calls, he resorted to violent threats against Okeokwu, warning him to desist from contacting him.
This forced Okeokwu to lodge a petition to the Inspector General of Police, who subsequently forwarded it to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu.
Disu, acting on the directives of the IGP, instructed the operatives of Operation Sting to ensure the swift apprehension of the suspect.
The officers, upon conducting a comprehensive investigation, discovered that the suspect was hiding in Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos.
See the full statement below:
Suspect Jumps Bail and Threatens Friend Who Stood as Surety for ₦50 Million Fraud
The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended Joel MBA Okodi, a wanted suspect who has been sought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the past four years.
Joel Mba Okodi, commonly known as ‘Chief,’ was residing at No. 21, Abak Road, Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. He is listed as a Director at Chismo Resources Limited in Ikot-Ekpene.
He deceitfully obtained the sum of ₦50 million from Chief Okosisi and was subsequently arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission following the reporting of the case.
While the fraud case was under investigation, Okodi persuaded his friend , Mr. Ochulor Okeokwu, to act as a surety in the matter. In order to secure the suspect’s release, Mr. Okeokwu, unaware of the deceit, submitted his property documents, valued at ₦50 million, as collateral at the EFCC Office in Port Harcourt.
However, after that, the suspect failed to appear for investigations at the EFCC office and evaded all phone calls. On the rare occasions when he was reached, he resorted to violent threats against Mr. Okeokwu, warning him to cease all contact. In response, Mr. Okeokwu lodged a petition with the Inspector General of Police, who subsequently approved and forwarded it to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
Promptly taking action, CP Disu instructed the operatives of Operation Sting to ensure the swift apprehension of the suspect. The officers of the Rivers State Police Command conducted a comprehensive investigation and diligently gathered information, determining that the suspect was hiding in Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos, throughout these years.
With the necessary law enforcement documents in hand, the operatives mobilized and proceeded to arrest the suspect on January 18, 2024, at approximately 20:34 hrs in Ajegunle, Lagos. This coordinated effort to effect an arrest demonstrates that there is truly no refuge for criminals.
The case is currently being handled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Commissioner of Police for Rivers State, Olatunji Disu, advises individuals to exercise caution when acting as sureties. He sternly warns that criminals will find no sanctuary within the state.
