A businessman, Mr Chinedu Igbokwe, told an Ikeja Special Court on Tuesday how a Bureau de Change operator, Abdulami Isah, allegedly defrauded him of $63,950.
Igbokwe, who was led in evidence by the counsel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, A. A. Usman, said he was introduced to Isah on October 4, 2022, and on October 6, he paid the defendant the said amount.
The witness said after he made the payment, he waited for them to remit the fund (naira equivalent) and when they were not forthcoming, he then went to meet them.
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“They told me that Isah had received the money and when I met him, he confirmed that he had received and withdrawn the fund. He paid the sum of N15.9 million and when I asked him what was happening, he switched off his phone and I could not find him again.
“The pressure was much on me and I had to take money from my local textile business to pay people in order to keep my reputation. On August 18, 2023, I petitioned EFCC and two days later, the commission acknowledged the petition and by August 25, the defendant was arrested.
“What surprised me most was when I visited the EFCC office after the arrest, Isah opened up to EFCC that he is a syndicate to Alli Baba,” Igbokwe narrated.
The witness further told the court that the payment was made through the international account number of the defendant.
He confirmed to the court that the defendant had refunded N15.9 million, while the outstanding was N26.5 million.
Isah is standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and fraud.
Justice Ismail Ijelu adjourned until April 22 for continuation of the trial.
How Bureau de Change operator defrauded me of $63,950 – Businessman tells court
