The arrest of the Chief Executive Officer of Invictus Group,
Obinwanne Okeke, who in 2016 made it into Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 List, by
the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI), has stirred controversy in the media space.
As reported Okeke was arrested by the FBI over $11 million
wire fraud after an Office365 account belonging to a steel company’s CEO was
hacked. The suspect was said to have conspired with several individuals to
access the CEO’s computers without authorization.
According to an Affidavit seen, Marshall Ward, a Special
Agent of FBI, said Okeke’s intention, alongside other conspirators, was to
initiate a fraudulent transfer of funds. Ward stated that Okeke should be
charged for conspiracy to commit computer fraud and conspiracy to commit wire
fraud.
The controversy: Following Okeke’s arrest, thousands of
twitter users have taken to the social media space to express their
disappointment in Forbes, and at the same time, knock Okeke for the global
disgrace he has caused other Nigerians.
The backstory: It was learnt that the FBI was contacted by
the representatives of Unatrac Holding Limited, the export sales office for
Caterpillar heavy industrial and firm equipment, last year after they
experienced a fraudulent wire transfer of $11 million through an email
compromise.
