By Kamil Opeyemi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has explained why it engaged a convicted social media influencer for one of its campaigns against fraud.
The social media influencer, Adewale Adedamola popularly known as Ade Herself, had featured in a sensitization event at the NYSC orientation camp in Lagos where the commission had gone to preach against fraud to the corps members.
However, there have been public complaints about the appearance of the social media influencer who was once arrested and convicted over fraud allegations.
But the commission in its reaction on Monday, explained that Ade Herself’s appearance was one of the recommendations of the court which sentenced her over the charges against her.
EFCC said , “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, takes notice of the public reaction to the speaking engagement of Adedamola Adewale. (aka Ade Herself) at the NYSC Orientation lecture of August 31, 2023 in Lagos; with many questioning the Commission’s wisdom in recruiting a purported fraud suspect to educate the youths against cybercrime.
“The public’s concern is duly acknowledged. Unfortunately, most of the comments bordered on lack of information on the status of the case involving Miss Adewale.
“It is important to state that the fraud charges brought against the Influencer by the Commission had been determined. Indeed, her presence in the Commission is pursuant to the judgement of court that ordered the Commission to tap her talent as an actress, skit maker and social media influencer in a programme of reformation to dissuade other youths from getting entangled in cybercrimes.
“Her engagement with the Commission is part of her non-custodial sentence.”
During the interactive session with the corps members, Adedamola, also a model, urged the corps members to steer clear of criminality, while enlightening them on ways to become successful as young adults, using the internet.
According to her, “There are boundless opportunities on the internet, which you can put to good use and harness for financial upgrades, rather than fraudulent activities and commission of crimes.
“As young adults, we sometimes overlook our wrongs and disregard the fact that the law of Karma will always prevail.”
Adedamola also decried the increasing rate of criminality among the youth, saying that the development had given the generality of Nigerians a bad reputation.
She said: “Everywhere you go to as a Nigerian youth, you are stigmatized as a scammer or a criminal. Isn’t this a matter of grave concern? I believe you feel the same way as I feel right now.
“Nobody is saying that making money and having a financial upgrade through the internet is wrong, but when it is fraudulent and illegal, it could cost the victim pain, despair, and even death. Have you imagined yourself being a victim? Have you imagined your parents being the victims? Have you also imagined being swindled of your life savings by a total stranger? That must be unimaginable!”
She, therefore, enjoined the youth to deploy their talents to worthy activities, saying that “The same energy and smartness you put together to scam innocent organizations and persons can be put together to explore money-making opportunities online, such as partnering with companies, involving yourselves in entrepreneurship activities, learning internet trade, making YouTube videos and earning the same Dollars you struggle to scam people of.
“Technology has given us so many opportunities to achieve our goals without denying others their lifetime happiness.
You can be an online writer for producers, home and abroad; you can venture into YouTube content and get paid directly; you can use your tech skills better by getting involved in cybersecurity; you can buy and sell through the internet and many more.
“I am able to achieve my acting goals and dreams as a comedian, thanks to the same internet. So, if I can, why can’t you?”
While condemning the EFCC over her appearance, an X user Alao Abiodun, had said, “The other day it was Naira Marley and NDLEA.
“Today, it is Ade herself and EFCC.
“Maybe tomorrow, we should expect Portable and ICPC.
“Next, we should expect DJ Chicken and Police.”
In February this year, Adewale was charged alongside two others at large, on a three-count charge of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences, attempt to obtain money by false pretences and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct.
She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge before Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court.