The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says henceforth, it will not only arrest and prosecute impersonators of its personnel but also those who patronise such criminal minded persons.

The Director of Operations of the commission, Mr. Steve Otitoju, announced the plan in Abuja while parading two suspects alleged to have extorted money from some people while impersonating officials of the commission.

The suspects, Oluwaseun Amosun and Salisu Sambo, had claimed to be EFCC official and a Deputy Inspector-General of Police.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the Chairman of the Commission, Mrs Farida Waziri warned that it had become necessary to also arrest and prosecute those who part with their money with the intention of circumventing the law as a step towards curbing the menace of fraudsters.

The commission reached the decision because of the myriads of complaints getting to the leadership of the EFCC daily, indicating that the fraudsters assume the identity of notable officials of the agency to harass people across the country, who, unfortunately, for fear of being probed by the EFCC, fall for their bait and part with their money.

During the search of a suspect’s house earlier in the year, the following items were recovered: 11 deposit slips of various banks; one tenancy agreement bearing a certain Salisu Sambo of state security service, Maiduguri; one transfer letter of Department of State Security Service in favour of Salisu Sambo signed for Director state security service, Bayelsa State; a telegram letter introducing Salisu Sambo of Department State Security Service for auction of Peugeot 206 car signed by B. Mohammed for Director of state security service; auction letter of State Security Service in favour of Salisu Sambo, letter of Borno State Security operatives forum inviting Salisu Sambo of State Security Service to a meeting and six motor vehicle number plates.