Keyamo reacts to trending photo of him and suspected fraudster on FBI list

Minister of State for Niger Delta affairs, Festus Keyamo, has confirmed that he is friends with one of the cyber fraud suspects apprehended by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)Jerry Ikogho.
A picture of Keyamo and Ikogho have been trending online, sparking different reactions.
Ikhogo is number three on the 77-man list of Nigerian fraud suspects released by the FBI on Thursday.
Keyamo confirmed to online medium The Cable that he and Ikogho were born in Ughelli, Delta State and grew up as childhood friends.
According to him, the picture was taken in 2011 at the burial of the father of one of the two other men who appeared in the picture.
The senior advocate said the suspect is from “a decent home”, adding that he hoped that the American authorities got their facts right.
He explained that Ikoago left Nigeria for the United States about a decade ago.
“He is my childhood friend. We were born in the same town (Ughelli). We attended same church from birth. His parents and mine, best of friends, till tomorrow. His siblings and mine too. Only left for the US about 10-12 years ago,” Keyamo said.
“Can’t deny him. It’s a family relationship from birth. He’s from a decent family. Hope they got their facts right. The wife has sent the charge to me.
“The authorities clearly stated that he may not have known of the fraudulent schemes, but he helped one or two of them to transfer funds illegally for a fee. And he didn’t declare excess money at the airport. Wish him well.
“In fact that picture is even at the burial of the father of the guy on the far right about 8 years ago. The guy is in the same childhood group like all of us. Likewise the guy on the far left, a lawyer, who died at the National Hospital here in Abuja about 5 years ago.”

…Nigerians react

Several Nigerians took to their social media accounts at the weekend to react to the picture of Festus Keyamo and Jerry Ikogho.
On his twitter account; Jackson Ude @jacksonpbn wrote, “Beware of who you call your friends, folks you don’t know their source of income and do not take pictures with people you are not too sure of. Jerry Elo Ikogho, one of the FBI indicted fraudsters, is Festus Keyamo’s friend. Am sure Oga Keyamo would have something to tell us!”
Also, Grace John @onyiforlife wrote, “Keyamo is a dubious lawyer… Not today. Keyamo become a SAN all of sudden…Jerry knows Keyamo more than we do. Osinbajo will give you the details. Nigerian politicians are yahoo-yahoo.”
For Chuks Akunna @akunnachux, he said, “But Festus Keyamo @fkeyamo zap with him client $23,000. Him no deny am.”
On his part, Gilbert Denila @dengilly wrote, “Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are.”
Also @Ezbaronkings said, “That means Keyamo will have a file in the FBI now!
And it’s possible he might have transferred some money to Keyamo for something.
And Keyamo might have visited him in the US. And..should I continue?”