The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of impersonating Nigerian blogger and social media influencer, Tunde Ednut, to defraud members of the public of ₦18.2 million.
The defendants, Raymond Charles Yafetus, Auwal Ibrahim and Babangida Yahaya Ibrahim, were arraigned on Thursday, October 15, 2026, before Justice S. O. Ibrahim on a three-count charge bordering on cybercrime, conspiracy to commit fraud, impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly impersonated Ednut, whose real name is Adekunle Tunde Olaoluwa, between April and June 2026. The commission alleged that they used his identity to open bank accounts with different financial institutions in Nigeria and obtained a total of ₦18,264,700 from unsuspecting members of the public.
One of the charges accused the defendants of fraudulently assuming the influencer’s identity with the intention of defrauding members of the public. The alleged offence was said to contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
When the charges were read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, Elizabeth Alabi, asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendants in the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
Justice Ibrahim ordered that the defendants be remanded at the correctional facility and adjourned the case until November 17, 2026, for further proceedings.
The defendants have not been convicted, and the allegations remain before the court for determination.
