The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared eight individuals wanted over their alleged involvement in a fraudulent scheme linked to the online trading platform Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX).

In a public notice issued on Friday, the EFCC identified the suspects as Seyi Oloyede, Emmanuel Uko, Adefowora Oluwanisola, and Adefowora Abiodun Olaonipekun. Others named as foreign accomplices include Johnson Otieno, Israel Mbaluka, Joseph Kabera, and Serah Michiro.

“The public is hereby notified that the individuals whose photographs appear above are wanted by the EFCC for fraud allegedly perpetrated via the online platform Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX),” the notice stated.

The development follows a Federal High Court order in Abuja granting the EFCC permission to arrest and detain those promoting the CBEX scheme. Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order following submissions by EFCC counsel, Fadila Yusuf.

In an ex parte motion filed on 23 April, the EFCC sought to detain six CBEX promoters, namely Adefowora Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo, and Chukwuebuka Ehirim, pending the conclusion of investigations.

According to the EFCC, the suspects lured investors by promising unrealistic returns of up to 100 percent. Recently, CBEX users reported being unable to withdraw their investments, prompting aggrieved investors to storm CBEX offices in Oyo State and elsewhere to demand refunds.