Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, related an incident in which a 17-year-old, while being questioned at his Lagos office, successfully hacked into his personal computer and bank account.
In a conversation with editors at the EFCC Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, last Tuesday, the chairman of the anti-graft agency disclosed this.
Olukoyede narrated how he invited the 17-year-old to be questioned at his own workplace, only to see the young hacker walk straight past his secured computer’s security precautions.
“I brought a seventeen-year-old boy who is studying history and anthropology into my Lagos office,” the man stated. He is situated at level 200. He is not engaged in any scientific endeavours. The man exhibited a few things while he was seated in my Lagos office.
“I gave him my number when he asked for it, and he was able to obtain my BVN by using it. He went on to tell me the name of my bank account number. I kept everything from him.
He says that the nation must take every appropriate action to dissuade these young people because their acts could result in jail time or even worse.
The issue is that, while I see opportunity there, I also see crime there. Therefore, if you leave these guys, we won’t tell them that what they’re doing is wrong, and they’ll continue to view it as a means of generating income.
He stated that the EFCC would punish young people for cybercrimes they committed with low terms because of their young ages, with an emphasis on assisting them in changing their orientation.
“Part of what we’re doing is pleading for mild sentences so that we can reorient them. What pleasure will it bring me to send a seventeen-year-old boy to prison? His future is ruined by you. His career has been ruined by you.
“We bring them in, lecture them, and talk to them because sometimes they give them options of fines and all of that conviction.”
The child boldly told Olukoyede that he could transfer up to 10 million naira from any account in a single transaction, showcasing his skill.
When he was finished, he claimed the 17-year-old lad stated, “Look, oga, I can make 10 million now.” I will give you an example of that. I’ll transfer funds to my account from yours.
He was prepared to do it until I told him not to do it in my office. I didn’t give him the key to my laptop when he opened it, so he had access.
When asked if he was involved in cybercrime, the young man said that security worries prevented him and his farming parents from working on the farm.
“He has two that are younger. JSS2 contains one, while SSS2 contains the other. He provides for his parents’ food and is in charge of paying their tuition.
“I saw a Bill Gates in that guy.”
But if the youngster could halt the illicit deed, Olukoyede promised that he would assume responsibility for his education.
“My family and I are going to do it, I assured them.
“I had a conversation with a friend who is prepared to assist with the SSS 2 man’s education. Thus, I’m still searching for someone to adopt the JSS 2 sister.
The EFCC chairman has already disclosed the anti-graft agency’s strategy to pardon and rehabilitate convicted online scammers.
“When you think deeply, that tag ‘ex-convict’ is not a good thing,” he said in March 2024 while addressing a delegation of the National Association of University Students. You never know where you’ll end up. They’ll want to profile you and find out that you were formerly incarcerated.
