Ex-Ekiti lawmaker warns against internet fraud economy

Civic Hive, a civic technology non-profit, has urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to familiarise themselves with the legal frameworks governing non-governmental organisations in their respective countries, particularly regulations on fund transfers, to avoid breaching anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws.

It made the call at its 2026 West Africa Civic Tech Conference, which was held under the theme, “Youth, Technology and the Future of Governance in West Africa.”

The conference brought together researchers, innovators and civil society leaders from across the sub-region to examine how youth-led technological innovations could strengthen governance and drive social impact.

The event also marked the conclusion of the Civic Hive Civic Tech Fellowship and the BudgIT Climate Champions Fellowship, with fellows and researchers presenting 10 papers on civic technology and governance in West Africa.

Speaking on NGO administration and regulatory compliance, the Executive Director of the Nigeria Network of NGOs, Oyebisi Oluseyi, urged organisations to conduct thorough background checks on prospective board members to avoid appointing individuals with questionable records, stressing the need for strong internal policies to minimise regulatory risks.

“Pitfalls don’t necessarily mean that they will happen, but how do we protect our systems in such a way that they do not happen?” Oluseyi asked.

He warned that terrorism financing laws are strictly enforced across many jurisdictions, noting that organisations found to have violated such regulations could face severe legal consequences.

“We must take AML/CFT conversations very seriously,” he added. “All over the world, we now have laws, policies and regulations in place against terrorism financing.”

Also speaking, the Global Director and Co-founder of BudgIT, Seun Onigbinde, said many citizens across West Africa had become reluctant to defend democratic governance because democracy had failed to deliver tangible improvements in their lives.

According to him, democracies that do not produce development gradually lose public trust, making it difficult to mobilise citizens in their defence.

Onigbinde, however, said technology presents an opportunity for young people to influence governance systems more effectively, describing it as a “cheat code” for driving civic participation and accountability.

IN another development, former Ekiti Central Senator, Babafemi Ojudu, has raised concerns over the growing influence of internet fraud on Nigeria’s social and economic landscape, warning that the recent decline in business activities across Ado Ekiti following intensified operations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has exposed the dangers of an economy built around illicit wealth.

In a commentary titled, “When Crime Becomes an Economy: The Disturbing Lessons from Ado Ekiti’s Near Empty Hotels,” Ojudu said the near-empty hotels, deserted lounges, quiet supermarkets and struggling businesses reported across Ekiti State, particularly in the state capital, were linked to the flight of suspected internet fraudsters popularly known as “Yahoo boys” following the establishment of a stronger EFCC presence in the state.

According to the former lawmaker, the development has revealed the extent to which proceeds of cybercrime have become woven into the fabric of the local economy.

Ojudu said he was initially sceptical about the reports of declining commercial activities in Ado Ekiti until he personally visited some of the affected businesses.

“The stories were true,” he wrote, recounting how he visited the restaurant of a prominent hotel overlooking its swimming pool, where he spent almost an hour as the only customer.

He added that a visit to one of the city’s popular lounges also revealed a similar situation, with empty spaces replacing the bustling atmosphere that once characterised such entertainment centres.

The former senator noted that hotel operators, lounge owners, traders, landlords, mechanics and used car dealers had all begun feeling the impact of the sudden disappearance of big spenders suspected to be involved in internet fraud.

According to him, many suspected cybercriminals have reportedly relocated from Ekiti to cities such as Akure, Osogbo, Ibadan and Lagos following intensified EFCC operations.