A businessman, Chinedu Igbokwe, on Tuesday, told an Ikeja Special Court how a Bureau de Change operator, Abdulami Isah, allegedly defrauded him of $63,950.
Igbokwe, who was led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Counsel, A. A. Usman, said he was introduced to Isah on October 4, 2022, and by October 6, he had paid the defendant the said amount.
The witness said after he made the payment, he waited for Isah to remit the naira equivalent and when the remittance was not forthcoming, he went to meet the man.
“They told me that Isah had received the money and when I met him, he confirmed that he had received and withdrew 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 reach 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 EFCC office after the arrest, Isah confessed to EFCC that he was a syndicate to Alli Baba,” Igbokwe said.
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 three counts bordering on obtaining by false pretense and fraud.
Justice Ismail Ijelu adjourned till April 22 for continuation of trial.(NAN)
