Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, Lagos have arrested three suspected
fraudsters who dupe unsuspecting members of the public using fake dollars and a
fake Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, certificate.
The suspects, Olasende Akinsiku, 40, Abiodun
Akiniyi, 35, and Tajudeen Lasisi, 40, (pictured above) were arrested following
a complaint by a retired Major General to Abba Kyari, the officer in charge of
SARS, that he was swindled by the arrested suspects.
Akinsiku, who hails from Ondo state, said their
victims that they stole the dollars from their place of work and wanted to
convert it into naira at a cheap rate so that the victims will not
suspect that the dollar notes were fake.
The graphic artist explained further that he was
introduced into the crime by his friend, Abiodun alias Tokunbo Babatunde, the
owner of the machine they use to print the fake dollars.
On how they were arrested, Akinsiku said it was
when he went to meet the General at Women Development Centre, Agege, to collect
another N40,000 with Abiodun that they were arrested by officers from SARS.
The Ewe, Oyo state-born Akiniyi in his confession
said Ajibola Ajimson whom he referred to as his mentor introduced him to
the General in 2010 and he met the General in Abuja at that
time where the general concluded arrangement to come back to Lagos to transport
the consignment with bullion van to Abuja.
In order to make the dollars which were neatly
packed in a small steel box look real, the group forged a CBN certificate
which has the inscription ‘Vol: $2.5 million’, ‘domination’ — mixed,
Grade A. One, and ‘consignee’ the name of the retired general.
Abiodun also forged a CBN identity card bearing
the name Tunde Bakare (Mr.) with No.011
While confirming the story, the Lagos state Police
image maker, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendend of Police, said the suspect,
will be arraigned as soon as investigation is concluded and warns youths
to shun criminal acts.
The Lagos state police boss, Mr. Umar Manko, also
promised criminals in the state hell if they did not stop their criminal
acts.
