The family cited the distribution of Friday’s mugshot by the EFCC as part of an agency’s efforts to harm his trial.
Audeu Friday’s family, who is suspected of Kingpin, an internet fraud syndicate of around 792 suspects arrested last December, accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of pitching falsehoods and assassinating the character against him.
His family representative, Sarif Ogche, criticized the EFCC for his handling of his lawsuit on Thursday during a press conference hosted by the Nigerian Association of Human Rights Writers (Haliwa).
The family cited the distribution of Friday’s mugshot by the EFCC as part of an agency’s efforts to harm his trial.
Audeau’s mugshot dated January 30, 2025, was distributed online by the EFCC and showed that it is currently investigating computer-related fraud and money laundering.
“The EFCC continues to frame lies after lies, ensuring that they are not only convicted by public opinion, but are also contaminated with rebellious colours before they have the opportunity to protect themselves,” Ogche said.
He said the EFCC’s claim that Mr. Friday was arrested on December 10, 2024 was inaccurate.
“I will challenge the EFCC and Friday denies that I first entered the office on January 9th. After receiving an informal call, I will challenge three times to the other three times. I will contradict our position and challenge myself to prove that I actually arrested him in Lagos on December 10th, 2024.
The family allegedly invited him to the office a few days after the committee operatives made two calls on Friday, December 17th and 22nd, 2024, and arrested 792 suspected internet fraudsters.
Oguche, a lawyer, said the release was imminent as it was promoted on Friday for more than 100 days due to false allegations published by the EFCC.
He also said that the family could not reveal further information on the matter as the cases were being heard in two separate courts.
background
On December 10, 2024, EFCC, known as the biggest cybercrime syndicate, arrested a group of 792 suspects, consisting of Nigerians, Chinese, Arab and Filipino citizens involved in alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud.
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The EFCC has been indicting suspicious syndicate members in batches before separate judges in Lagos.
In March, the agency arrested Friday along with two Chinese nationals at the Federal High Court in Ikoi, Lagos.
The court granted him bail only to EFCC operatives later to re-arrest him.
Like many of the syndicate members who are allegedly facing prosecution, Friday faces 34.7 billion and $2 million songs on cyberterrorism, computer-related crimes and money laundering.
Earlier this month, Friday was charged with seven frauds in front of a special crime court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
Claims of persecution
Hariwa and Mr. Friday’s family described his ordeal as persecution at the hands of the EFCC.
“Friday’s ongoing ordeal reflects a surprising but familiar pattern. The EFCC uses his name and image to create the impression that the cyber fraud syndicate “kingpin” and the mastermind have been arrested. ”
EFCC responds
However, when Premium Times contacted him on Friday, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said any complaints the family might have had should have been taken before the court handled his case.
“All the issues they are raising now are he has been arrested in court. You know that when the matter is in front of the court, it’s a sub-judge to make a comment saying something about it,” Oiwale said. “So our comment on this point is that the matter lies in front of the court, and whatever he claims is innocent, we’ll put them before the court, and the court will rule on that.”
