The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, recently shared an intriguing incident involving a 17-year-old hacker who displayed impressive IT abilities.
During an interrogation at the EFCC office in Lagos, the teenager successfully hacked into Olukoyede’s personal computer and bank account, leaving the chairman amazed.
Olukoyede recounted the incident during a conversation with editors at the EFCC Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. He explained that he had invited the 17-year-old, who is studying History and Anthropology and not engaged in any science-related field, for questioning at his office. To Olukoyede’s surprise, the young hacker effortlessly bypassed the security measures on his locked computer, demonstrating his skills right before the chairman’s eyes.
The chairman shared the details of the encounter, stating, “I brought a seventeen-year-old boy into my office in Lagos. He is studying History and Anthropology, and he sat in my office and demonstrated some things to me on my laptop. He asked for my number, and through my number, he obtained my BVN (Bank Verification Number). He even mentioned my account number to me without any prior knowledge.”
Expressing his concerns, Olukoyede emphasized the need to discourage such activities among young individuals, as they could face severe consequences such as imprisonment or worse. He acknowledged the dilemma, stating, “I see crime in that, and I also see opportunities in it. If we leave these guys without making them understand that what they are doing is wrong, they will continue to perceive it as a way of making money.”
Considering their young age, the EFCC aims to administer lenient sentences to these cybercriminals while focusing on reorienting their mindset. The chairman explained, “We plead for light sentences so that we can reorient them, and that’s part of what we’re doing. What satisfaction would I derive from sending a 17-year-old boy to jail? It would destroy his future and career. Sometimes, we offer them alternatives such as fines, and we bring them in, lecture them, and talk to them.”
In a remarkable display of his skills, the young hacker confidently informed Olukoyede that he could transfer up to 10 million naira from any account in a single transaction. However, the chairman prevented him from doing so, highlighting his concerns about the act taking place in his office.
When questioned about his involvement in cybercrime, the teenager explained that his parents, who are farmers, were unable to work on their farm due to security concerns. He shoulders the responsibility of supporting his family, including paying tuition fees for his younger siblings.
Impressed by the young hacker’s potential, Olukoyede assured him that if he ceased his criminal activities, the chairman would take responsibility for his education. He also reached out to a friend willing to support the education of the teenager’s younger sibling.
This is not the first time Olukoyede has revealed the EFCC’s plans to rehabilitate convicted internet fraudsters through reduced sentences. Addressing a delegation of the National Association of University Students in March 2024, he emphasized the negative impact of the “ex-convict” label and the importance of providing opportunities for individuals to rebuild their lives.
