… As more victims petition the police boss_
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered an investigation of the convener of the ‘40 Million Ballot Movement’ and founder of ‘Youths Off The Street Initiative’, YOTSI, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, for alleged criminal breach of trust, obtaining by false pretence, cheating, and impersonation.
The IGP’s directive followed a petition by Valencia Hotels and other persons allegedly defrauded by Iyere, where they described him as “a serial fraudster.”
In a November 12th, 2025 petition entitled “Further Petition Against Iyere Kennedy Ebhenya for Criminal Breach of Trust, Obtaining by False Pretence, Cheating, and Impersonation – Additional Victims Discovered,” and filed through their lawyers, Valen Legal Practitioners, the victims accused Iyere of defrauding them of various amounts totalling N113,508,757.
The petition, which was signed by Victor Adebayo Esq., read: “We continue to act as Solicitors to Silver Green Hotel Limited and several other individuals and corporate bodies who have been defrauded by one Iyere Kennedy Ebhenya, hereinafter referred to as ‘the suspect.
“Our earlier petition dated 23rd October 2025, which was assigned to the IGP SIU for further actions and investigation, detailed how the said suspect fraudulently obtained the sum of ₦26,000,000 from our client, Silver Green Hotel Limited, under the false representation that he was a staff of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and that the government would sponsor a purported youth empowerment programme tagged ‘YEIDEP.’
“Following the filing of that petition and further investigations by our clients, several other victims of this same individual have now emerged, revealing that the suspect has carried out a pattern of identical fraudulent schemes against multiple unsuspecting persons and establishments.
“Below are the names of the additional victims and amounts fraudulently obtained from each: Mr. Clement Ignatius (₦6,300,000), Bishop (Dr.) Susan Great (₦1,600,000), Mr. Emeka Owuchelu Iche (₦46,000,000), Mr. Gbenga Okenla (₦1,500,000), Pastor Shadrack (₦18,000,000), Dr. Duru (₦12,000,000), Mr. Obinna Ukor (₦7,500,000), Mr. Aneke Everistus (₦3,015,900), Mr. Obinna Ifeandu (₦17,137,900), and Valencia Hotels (₦454,957).
“These victims, just like our earlier client, were deceived through similar misrepresentations, false promises of government-backed projects, and impersonation of officials of various Ministries and Departments. The suspect has thereby obtained huge sums of money from the public under fraudulent pretences, constituting serious economic and cyber-related crimes.”
The petitioner, therefore, urged the IGP to further investigate and bring Iyere to book.
“We humbly urge your esteemed office to reopen and expand the ongoing investigation into the activities of Comrade Kennedy Iyere (a.k.a. Iyere Kennedy Ebhenya) to cover these new victims and their respective complaints; invite and interrogate the suspect to account for the said funds obtained under false pretences; and ensure prosecution of the suspect upon conclusion of the investigation to serve as a deterrent to others engaged in similar economic sabotage and cyber fraud activities.
“We most humbly undertake that the receipts of payments made by each person to the suspect will be provided to your office upon request.
“We trust in your usual professionalism and diligence in bringing this serial fraudster to justice”, the petitioner concluded.
Meanwhile, findings show that another victim, simply identified as Sandra, who was allegedly defrauded by Iyere with a promise to help secure her a government appointment, had since recovered her money through the assistance of the police.
He reportedly pleaded not to be charged to court and promised to refund the money. However, the police allegedly refused to grant him bail until repayment was completed, as he was said to have no known residential address.
A source familiar with the case said: “Yes, he sweet-talked the lady and some others into believing that he had government appointment slots to give. But it later turned out to be false.”
