KADUNA, NIGERIA — The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, announced on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, that they had arrested a popular TikTok musician, Crown Uzama, known by his alias ‘ShalliPopi,’ and his manager, Ajayi Abdul Hafeez, also known as ’21 Badda,’ in an operation targeting internet-related fraud.
Alongside the TikTok star and his manager, 29 other suspects, including four women, were taken into custody on the same charges.
The women have been identified as Glory Chinyere Kelvin Ogunwa, Tina Ochonogor, Favour Baba Dawa, and Joseph Judith Iya.
The arrests came following what the EFCC described as “actionable intelligence” about a proposed gathering by individuals suspected of engaging in internet fraud.
“The suspects were arrested in sting operations at Disney Park Lounge, Epitome and Tomoso Hotels, all in the Barnawa axis of Kaduna,” stated an EFCC representative.
Among the other suspects are Adewale Adedokun, Yakubu Emmanuel Ojochememi, AbdulAzeez Temidayo Suleiman, and a host of others, including Uyit Victor and David Elijah Yachai.
The authorities have seized mobile phones, laptop computers, and two vehicles in the course of their operation. These suspects, they say, will face charges in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
As the news of the arrests spread, fans of the TikTok star expressed their shock and disbelief on various social media platforms, with many questioning the validity of the charges. The story continues to develop, with more details expected to emerge in the coming days.
