The Ondo State Police Command has arrested one Ilegbemi Olusola Jacob for allegedly defrauding a businessman of ₦36 million under the guise of a cocoa supply deal.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayandele Olayinka Olushola, the suspect was apprehended following a petition from Mr. Adegboyo Sunday, who accused Jacob of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing by conversion.

Preliminary investigation revealed that in July 2025, the complainant entered into a business agreement with the suspect, who falsely presented himself as a cocoa merchant. Under this pretext, Jacob collected ₦36 million from the victim with a promise to supply 5.56 tons of cocoa beans, but failed to deliver the goods and subsequently absconded to an unknown destination.

He was said to have continued to deceive the complainant by giving false assurances that the cocoa would be supplied from Taraba State.

However, through intelligence gathering and the use of technology, operatives of the Command’s Scorpion Squad traced and arrested the suspect in Akure, the state capital.

The Police Command described the arrest as a testament to its operational efficiency and proactive crime-fighting strategy under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, whose focus on intelligence-led policing continues to yield positive results across the country.

DSP Olayinka disclosed that the suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court after the completion of investigation.


The CP urged business owners and investors to verify the identities and credibility of potential partners before engaging in large financial transactions, noting that vigilance remains the first line of defence against fraud.

The Command, he added, remains resolute in ensuring that crime has no hiding place in Ondo State and that all offenders face the full weight of the law.