In connection to the security breach and financial fraud suffered by Patricia, a cryptocurrency firm, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has taken former Cross River governorship candidate, Wilfred Benson into custody.
Wilfred contested the Cross River governorship election in 2023 on the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
Sources report that funds were reportedly derived from the fraudulent diversion of ₦607 million from Patricia’s account on Flutterwave to Bonse’s bank account, facilitated through a cryptocurrency wallet.
“The case involves criminal conspiracy, unauthorised modification of computer systems, network data, and the unlawful diversion of funds,” says Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson. He further stated that investigations are ongoing amidst the arrest.
The fund is part of the N2 billion Patricia lost to security breach on its crypto processing platform in May 2023.
Adejobi said the police, through its national cybercrime center (NPF-NCCC) made significant strides in the investigation of the complex financial fraud case reported by Patricia.
“This is not all the money lost, but recovery from this would go a long way to soothe Patricia’s users,” Fejiro Hanu, founder of the firm said. “My commitment remains to Patricia users, Repayment started on the 20th of November, and it will continue. Until every user is reached.”
“The case is still being investigated, the hackers used politicians to launder the stolen money. All of whom would be brought to the book. One by One.
This is not the first case of Bonse’s involvement in cyber fraud.
In February, the politician was accused of benefitting at least N40 million from a cyber fraud scheme executed by a group of hackers identified as ‘The Syndicate’.
|The Cable/|BenjaminDada
