THE Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) says it has arrested a couple wanted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over alleged $1.49 million money-laundering scheme.
A statement by Wilson Uwujaren, Head of Media and Publicity at EFCC sent to The ICIR, stated that Rowly Isioro, a former assistant general manager with one of the first generation banks and his wife, Ovuomarhoni Naomi Isioro, a businesswoman, were arrested in Lagos following their involvement in Business Email Compromise fraud and money laundering.
The EFCC said the arrest followed a petition by the FBI through the office of the Legal Attache, United States Consulate, Lagos, about the couples’ alleged involvement in computer-based fraud, stealing and money laundering.
“So far, investigation revealed that Naomi met one Michael Uziewe (who is still at large) in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America, sometime in 2016, and introduced her to foreign exchange business,” the statement read.
According to the statement, Naomi and Rilly Isioro used their registered companies, Marhoni General Services Limited and Multaid Plus Limited for dispersal of funds sent by Uziewe, who is said to own Global Investment network.
The commission further disclosed that the couple gave statements that confirmed the alleged money laundering scam by the FBI.
It said the husband confessed he was aware that someone his wife met in the United States of America, sends her dollars, while she pays the naira equivalent to various accounts on the instruction of the US-based partner.
Naomi, the agency added, also confirmed to the commission that she had been receiving monies in dollars, with instructions to pay the naira equivalent into accounts provided by Uziewe, the partner.
EFCC said it discovered that when Naomi received the dollar transfers, she made over the counter withdrawals and sold them to Bureau de Change operators for naira equivalents.
The commission noted that the act is in breach of financial regulations which states that that such transaction goes through the established financial system.
Rowly has been allegedly relieved of his appointment with the bank as a result of his involvement in the money laundering scheme.
Lukman Abolade is an Investigative reporter with The ICIR. Reach out to him via [email protected], on twitter @AboladeLAA and FB @Correction94