From Mairimi Lawal
Detectives at the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Alagbion, Ikoyi, Lagos, have revealed the recovery of N50 million that was withdrawn from the bank account of the ailing Nollywood star, Mr. John Okafor, famously known as Mr. Ibu.
Following a petition filed by Diamond Waves Law on behalf of Ibu's wife, Stella Maris Okafor, on September 6, 2023, Ibu's lover, Jasmine Okekeagwu, and her son, Onyebuchi Okafor, were detained and brought to court on charges of theft and conspiracy.
FCID spokesperson ASP Mayegun Aminat stated that the arrests stemmed from allegations that Ibu's sons, Daniel and Valentine Okafor, along with Jasmine Okekeagwu, conspired to defraud Mr. Ibu.
The investigation revealed that Mr. Ibu had launched a public fundraising initiative, garnering donations from fans and well-wishers for his medical expenses, which were deposited into a dedicated bank account managed initially by his wife, Stella Maris Chinyere Okafor.
However, Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor and Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu gained unauthorized access to Mr. Ibu's phone, manipulated his banking information, and diverted funds from the public account to Onyeabuchi Okafor's personal bank account.
The illicit activities resulted in the transfer of N55 million before the suspects were apprehended. Text messages exchanged between Daniel Okafor and Jasmine Chioma detailed their fraudulent scheme.
Furthermore, it was discovered that Jasmine Okekeagwu and Onyeabuchi Okafor falsely married at the Ikoyi Marriage Registry with intentions to flee the country to the UK with the stolen money, having applied for a UK visa beforehand.
The investigation traced the stolen funds to Onyeabuchi Okafor's account, where N5 million was expended on suspicious activities, with the remaining N50 million recovered.
Onyeabuchi Okafor and Jasmine Okekeagwu have been charged with conspiracy and theft before Chief Magistrates Court 1, Yaba, under Charge No. A/06/2024. They were granted bail in the amount of N15 million each with two sureties of the same amount, and the case has been adjourned to March 11, 2024.
"The casefile has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice in the interim," stated ASP Mayegun Aminat.
