Ezekwesili asks IGP to probe Omojuwa for fraud

Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has asked Acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to probe Japheth Omojuwa, a social media influencer, for identity fraud.

Omojuwa and Ezekwesili have been in the news since the the deal on the social media campaign for the release of a Colombian alleged fraudster, Alex Saab, was exposed.

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Buzzfeed, an American news platform, had exposed how Omojuwa used Alpha Reach Limited, his PR firm, to run a campaign for Saab, who is currently facing extradition charges in Cape Verde.

While Omojuwa denied his participation in the campaign, the Buzzfeed report said two persons working in his PR firm, were recruited to participate in the campaign.

Ezekwesili was listed as one of the directors of Alpha Reach, according to Buzzfeed.

But the ex-minister, who denied having any links with the company, alleged that her name was fraudulently used.

She had demanded an apology and full disclosure of the records of Alpha Reach from Omojuwa, threatening that failure to meet her demand would leave her with no other option than to sue the blogger.

But Omojuwa had said he got full consent from Ezekwesili before making her a director in his company.

In a petition dated April 14, 2021, and signed by Marshal Abubakar, a lawyer at Falana and Falana chambers, Ezekwesili demanded that Omojuwa should be probed for Forgery, Fraudulent Misrepresentation and Fraudulent Use of her name.

“Japheth Omojuwa never sought for her consent and /or participation in incorporating any company whatsoever and for any purpose whatsoever,” the petition read.

“The said Japheth Omojuwa neither sought for nor obtained requisite incorporation documents and information the CAC would require in processing the registration i.e the particulars of directors, share numbers, signature of directors, means of identification of directors and address etc.

“Our client reiterates for emphasis that she never filled or signed the statutory consent of first directors of Alpha Reach Company Limited in 2012 and or at anytime whatsoever.

“The foregoing infractions amount to forgery, fraudulent misrepresentation, and egregious breach of extant provisions of the Penal Code Law, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and the Companies and Allied Matters Act, deserving of investigation and prosecution.”