The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi has warned individuals replicating his name on Facebook and Whatsapp to defraud people saying persons found culpable risk being apprehended by law enforcement agencies.
The minister also urged members of the public to refrain from transacting official business with such faceless individuals on facebook or any other social media platform.
In a statement by his media aide, Yinka Olabode, Fayemi said his attention has been drawn to the unscrupulous activities of some individuals who use phoney Facebook and Whatsapp accounts in his name to defraud people.
As stated by him, “these individuals have, through these phoney Facebook and WhatsApp accounts, advertised MDG contracts and solicited payment for application forms, among other nefarious activities.”
He however attributed his choice of reaching out on the development to the possible spread of what he described as an obnoxious act and the need to forestall unsuspecting members of the public from falling prey to the criminal- minded individuals.
In the statement, Fayemi who dissociates himself and his office from any transaction whatsoever on Facebook, Whatsapp or any other social media platform, also noted that he has nothing to do with MDG projects or contracts and has no hands in any fraudulent sale of application forms online and otherwise.
Continuing, the Minister said 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.
He however disclosed that the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has its official website (though, presently under review), where relevant information on the activities of the ministry and the solid minerals sector could be sourced.