Wilfred Bonse, who once harbored aspirations for the gubernatorial seat in Cross River State, has found himself entangled in a web of controversy. Bonse, who withdrew from the 2023 gubernatorial race, is now facing legal troubles in connection with a security breach announced by Patricia Technologies Limited in May of this year.
The former Governorship aspirant made headlines when he voluntarily stepped down from the political race, urging his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to refund the substantial ₦21 million ($29,956) he had invested in obtaining the gubernatorial form. Little did anyone suspect that this move was a prelude to more significant legal challenges.
Bonse’s arrest, as confirmed by Muyiwa Adejobi, the Police Public Relations Officer, was executed by the Nigeria Police Cybercrime Centre. Adejobi shed light on the intricate nature of the case, stating, “The Centre has made progress in the investigation of the complex financial fraud reported by Patricia Technologies Limited. The case involves criminal conspiracy, unauthorized modification of computer systems, network, data, and the unlawful diversion of funds.”
The allegations against Bonse include his purported involvement in laundering ₦50 million ($61,800), believed to have originated from the fraudulent diversion of ₦607 million from Patricia’s account. The intricate details reveal a trail leading to Bonse’s bank account via a cryptocurrency wallet.
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Patricia Technologies Limited, a company that suffered a security breach in May, expressed gratitude for the arrest, emphasizing that the recovery of funds is crucial to soothing the concerns of its users. The CEO, Hanu Fejiro, acknowledged that the recovered amount represents only a fraction of the losses incurred but emphasized its significance in the ongoing efforts to restore confidence among Patricia users.
The timing of these developments adds an additional layer of complexity. Just four days before the arrest, Patricia had pledged to commence payments to affected customers. Despite conflicting reports from some customers who claimed they had not received any payments, the company asserted that payouts had begun on November 20.
In the aftermath of the May security breach, Patricia had vowed to work closely with law enforcement to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice. The recent arrest of Bonse is a significant milestone in this pursuit. However, as the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen how swiftly and effectively the stolen funds can be recovered, providing closure to a saga that has captured the attention of both the political and business spheres in Nigeria.
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