The Nigerian Police, operating through its Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in Ikoyi, Lagos State, apprehended Oyeabuchi Okafor and Jasmine Okekeagwu.
The arrest is linked to an alleged conspiracy and defrauding of Mr. John Okafor, widely known as Mr. Ibu, amounting to N55 million.
According to a press statement on Thursday, the FCID acted on a petition from Diamond Waves Law on behalf of Mr. Ibu’s wife, Stella.
The petition claimed that the actor’s sons, Onyeabuchi and Valentine Okafor, along with his adopted daughter, Jasmine Okekeagwu, collaborated to defraud Mr. Ibu.
The police statement, issued by spokesperson ASP Mayegun Aminat, detailed that during the investigation, it was discovered that, in an effort to finance his medical bills, Mr. Ibu initiated a public fundraising campaign.
This campaign attracted donations from fans, members of the entertainment industry, and the public, all deposited into a bank account explicitly designated for this purpose.
The FCID disclosed that Onyeabuchi and Jasmine, manipulating Stella, gained control of Mr. Ibu’s phone and exploited his banking details.
They reportedly reinstalled the banking app, transferring N55 million from the donations and scheming to leave the country after orchestrating a sham marriage.
The police confirmed the recovery of N50 million from the suspects, who have been charged with conspiracy and stealing at the Chief Magistrate’s Court 1, Yaba. Bail has been granted, and the case is scheduled for March 11, 2024.
The case file has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution for legal guidance.
Notably, in October 2023, it was reported that Mr. Ibu underwent multiple surgeries and sought further treatment abroad.
His family expressed gratitude for the donations received from fans during this challenging time.
