The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has threatened to clamp down on operators of parody accounts even as Twitter handles bearing the name of the new EFCC Chairman , Abdulrasheed Bawa , have flooded the social network.
The EFCC said in a statement by its Spokesman, Mr . Wilson Uwujaren, on Saturday that the unauthorised use of a person ’ s name and photo contravene the law.
In the statement titled, ‘ EFCC Raises Alarm on Fake Bawa Twitter Accounts’ , the commission said it would not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law on such impersonators.
The statement read in part, “ The EFCC , wishes to alert the public on the existence of fake Twitter Accounts supposedly belonging to the new executive chairman of the Commission , Mr . Abdulrasheed Bawa .
“ Three of the fake accounts created in the last few days : @ AbdurasheedBawa , @ AbdulrBa
and@ AbdulrashidBaw 1; have been attracting followers in droves , believing they were dealing with the EFCC boss. At least , more than 500 unsuspecting Nigerians have been hoodwinked by the promoters of these fake platforms .
“ The commission wishes to state that these Twitter Accounts do not belong to Mr . Bawa , and should be disregarded. The EFCC equally wishes to remind members of the public that unauthorised use of the name and image of someone else , is identity theft , a criminal offence . The commission will not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law on any erring individual or group . ”
