Man in EFCC Net for Alleged N22m Fraud
Olorunfemi Ojo
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday apprehended one Engr. Aikahu Umene for offence bordering on personation, forgery and stealing.
Umene’s arrest according to EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren followed a petition by one Moses Madjemite, managing director, Somake Global Investment & Development Limited, Benin City, Edo State, alleging that his company was awarded a contract for the rehabilitation of Sabongida-ora Water Supply Scheme by the Edo State Government at the sum of N44,637,205.25 (forty four million, six hundred and thirty seven thousand, two hundred and five naira, and twenty five kobo) and was mobilized with the sum of N22,318,603.13 (twenty two million, three hundred and eighteen thousand, six hundred and three naira, thirteen kobo).
According to him, on completion of the project, he notified the General Manager of the board and demanded for payment of the balance, but was shocked to discover that, his friend, one Clifford Isa in connivance with Umene and one Anthony E. Dakpokpo both of whom are general manager and accountant of Edo State Urban Water Board respectively had collected the money without his knowledge.
The suspects allegedly forged the official letter-head paper of the complainant’s company to perfect their deal in collecting the balance and converting same to personal use.
Efforts of the victim to recover his money yielded no result. He, thereafter petitioned the EFCC.
The Commission will upon the conclusion of its investigation arraign the suspects in court.
Similarly, one Mr. Anthony Madubuko Ugwuoke have been arrested over an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence and money laundering.
The petitioner, Engr. Belema Dikibo alleged that, he transferred the sum of N9,280,000.00 (nine million, two hundred and eighty thousand naira) to the suspect’s account on agreement that, the suspect will transfer its dollar equivalent at the rate of two hundred and thirty two naira per United States Dollar (N232/$1) into his account domiciled at Bank of America.
According to Dikibo, the suspect only transferred thirty two thousand united states dollars (32,000USD) leaving a balance of 8,000USD.
He further alleged, that when he demanded for the 8,000USD balance from the suspect, he discovered that, there was a fraudulent transfer of $888,888.88 from his Bank of America account which resulted in the freezing of that account.
The suspects, according to the agency will be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is concluded.
