The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has dissociated himself from unscrupulous activities of some individuals who defraud unsuspecting Nigerians, using phony facebook accounts in his name.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant, Media, to the Minister, Olayinka Oyebode, and made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja.
It said the fraudsters, operating through different phony Facebook accounts with the minister’s photograph, usually use the platforms to advertise fraudulent financial aid programmes, business proposals and other nefarious activities.
It said it was imperative to make the announcement to prevent the spread of the obnoxious act and forestall unsuspecting members of the public from falling prey to the criminally-minded individuals.
According to the statement, ”Fayemi dissociates himself and his office from any transaction whatsoever on Facebook, WhatsApp or any other social media platform.
”The minister does not have anything doing with a so called Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM) or any other online financial aid community, projects or contracts.
” The minister has no hands in any fraudulent sale of application forms online and otherwise and he attaches utmost level of professionalism and seriousness to his official duties and the business of government.
”Hence, he will not ask anyone to do official transaction through private facebook accounts.
It said the ministry had its official website (though currently under review), where relevant information on the activities of the ministry and the solid minerals sector could be sourced.
It, however, warned impostors and other criminal elements involved in dubious act of creating fake facebook accounts to defraud citizens to desist from such or risk being apprehended by law enforcement agencies,” it said.
It urged members of the public to refrain from transacting official business with faceless individuals on facebook or any other social media platform.
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