Business

Gbese!!! Man Defrauds Bureau de change Operator Of N3.4m with Fake $7000 In Ikoyi

Published

8 years ago

March 20, 2017 1:34 pm

A suspected fraudster, John Eze, has been arrested by the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos State, for allegedly defrauding a Bureau De Change operator, Ismaila Ali, in Ikoyi area.

It was learnt that 34-year-old Eze had approached Ali sometime in January 2017, to exchange the sum of $7,000 for the naira equivalent.Ali was said to have paid Eze N3,451,000, buying the dollars at the rate of N493 per dollar.
The duo reportedly parted ways after the transaction, which held inside the suspect’s LEXUS 470 Jeep with number plate, Lagos AKD 612 DA.

The bubble burst when Ali got to his office on Treadsmaqueen Street, Ikoyi, where a new customer was waiting to exchange naira for dollars.

As he brought out the money, he discovered that Eze gave him fake 74 pieces of 100 dollar note.

Ali told Punch that efforts to reach the suspect on a telephone number he gave him for future transactions were abortive, as the line was switched off.

He said, “I was in my office when he called and said he had $7,000 to sell. I told him we bought at N493 and sold at N496 per dollar. He said I should meet him in a bank at Falomo.

“I borrowed N2.6m from my colleagues and added my money to it to make it N3,451,000, the equivalent of the money he wanted to exchange. Out of apprehension, I told my apprentice to keep the money, while I meet him first so that if he had a weapon, he would not get any money from me.

“As I attempted to enter the bank, he called me that he was no longer there and I should meet him at another bank. As I approached the new bank he gave me, he called and said he was in his Lexus Jeep. He opened the door and I entered.”

Ali said the suspect told him his (Eze) wife mentioned him to him.

He said he became interested in the conversation when the suspect brought out the dollars.

“I counted them and saw they were complete and original. I called my apprentice to bring the money and he joined me in the Jeep. He sat at the back, while I sat beside the man in front.

“I advised that we should go inside the bank for the transaction, but he said he was in a hurry and needed to go to a construction site, where workers were waiting to be paid. He said we could do it in the Jeep,” he added.

Ali said as they were about to part ways after the transaction, the suspect received a call from a woman he claimed to be his wife.

The woman reportedly disagreed on the exchange rate.

Due to the disagreement, Eze demanded his dollars and returned the naira.

He was said to have persuaded the BDC operator to follow him to his construction site to convince his wife that the rate was good.

“He told me that his wife has £11,000 to sell to me. When we got to a traffic light on Osborne Road, he stopped to receive another call and said his wife said he should collect the money. He added that he would not be able to go to the construction site again because his wife was going to Ajah for a meeting. He said he would call us at Ajah to come for the £11,000.

“I collected the naira from my boy at the back and passed it to him, while he used his left hand to pass the dollars to my boy directly. My boy did not check because he thought it was the dollars we had counted earlier. He put the money in his pocket.

“After we alighted from the vehicle, my mind told me to take his number plate, which I did,” Ali said.

He explained that when he got to the office and his apprentice brought out the $7,000 for a business transaction, they discovered that “that the dollars were fakes,” adding that the suspect had switched off his phone.

He explained that he reported the matter to the police at the Special Fraud Unit, adding that he was referred to the X-Squad at Zone 2.

The police, upon checking with the vehicle licensing office, discovered that the address given when the vehicle was registered was non-existent.

A check on his telephone line showed it had been used to call only one number between December 2016 and February 2017.

It was gathered that the suspect, however, used the line to call a painter in Asaba, Delta State.

The painter, identified as Tony, was subsequently arrested by the police and handed over to the Zone 2 command where he confessed to know the suspect.

Tony led the police to the Ogba area of Lagos, where Eze was arrested last Friday.

“Immediately we entered the house, the first thing I saw was the Jeep he used to defraud me.

“When he was arrested, he said he could not release all the money because his group operate as a team and they had shared the money. He said he got N1.5m from the money and that is what he can return to me. But I want all my money back. He has a house and three cars,” the victim said.

The Zone 2 Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the suspect had confessed.

She said, “The BDC operator was smart enough to get the vehicle number plate and that aided police investigation. The suspect, upon his arrest, confessed to the crime. The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Aderanti, has ordered that the suspect be brought to justice.”

Business

Lagos state government to commence upgrade of major junctions in Ikeja axis, seeks residents’ cooperation

Published

45 mins ago

November 18, 2024 10:48 am

BodexNG

The Lagos State Government has called on residents, particularly those in Ikeja axis, to give their cooperation for the smooth delivery of the Right of Way ( RoW) of the improvement works at major junctions within the Toyin/Opebi/Allen and Adebola/ Salvation areas.

This call was made during a meeting jointly organized by the Ministries of Physical Planning and Urban Development and Transportation at the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) Headquarters, Ikeja, which was attended by business owners, residents, and government officials as seen in a statement on the official x page of the Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation.

Hon. Oluwaseun Osiyemi stressed the value of an inclusive approach to the project.

He noted the importance of involving government officials, community leaders, residents, and business owners to harmonize ideas and ensure success.

“He called for understanding and support throughout the duration of the junction improvement works, especially the delivery of the RoW stage that might necessitate the removal of encroaching structures,” the statement said.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Engr. Oluwole Soire called on residents to cooperate with the government for the smooth delivery of the Right of Way (RoW).

“The junction improvement works, based on the urban intervention programme generated from the Model City Plan, was being done in cognisance with indices such as population growth, changes in land use part, erns and the ongoing Opebi-Odo Iya Alaro link bridge,” Sotire explained.

He also emphasized the collaborative efforts of the Ministries of Physical Planning and Transportation to achieve the state’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda, which focuses on socio-economic development.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa, explained that improving junctions and ensuring the delivery of rights of way are essential components of urban planning and development.

He further noted that stakeholder engagement would provide valuable insights to guide decision-making and address community concerns.

“By engaging with stakeholders, the government can gather valuable insights and feedback that will help inform the decision-making process and ensure that the needs and concerns of the community are taken into consideration,” he said.

Represented by a Director in the Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Adebayo Osomo, Musa highlighted that the improvements would complement the Odo Iya Alaro/Opebi link bridge to ease traffic and enhance interconnectivity.

Tpl. Daisi Oso, General Manager of the Lagos State Planning and Environmental Management Authority (LASPEMA), urged residents to adhere to regulations, particularly those related to the use of incidental open spaces.

Business owners and residents in the affected areas welcomed the project, describing it as a much-needed development. However, they called for its swift completion and compensation where necessary.

Business

UBA to raise N239bn through rights issue to expand lending capacity

Published

2 days ago

November 16, 2024 2:23 pm

BodexNG

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) says it will raise N239.4 billion through a rights issue to existing shareholders.

According to a statement on Thursday, the bank is offering a rights issue of 6.83 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N35 per share.

The financial institution said the offering, opened on November 15, gives existing shareholders the opportunity to buy additional shares in proportion to their current holdings and is being offered based on one new ordinary share for every five existing ordinary shares held by shareholders, as of November 5.

Speaking to shareholders, Tony Elumelu, group chairman of UBA, said the rights issue is the first step in its broader capital-raising programme.

“UBA’s rights issue aims to raise N239.4 billion, through the issuance of new Ordinary Shares to our shareholders,” Elumelu said.

“The primary objective of this Rights Issue is to further strengthen our capacity to take advantage of growth opportunities and sustain our leadership in the banking industry.”

Elumelu said beyond regulatory compliance, the funds would expand UBA’s lending capacity, investment in digital infrastructure, support sustainable business practices, and expand its African operations.

The group chairman also highlighted how UBA is driving economic growth across Africa.

“Our historic partnership with the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, where UBA pledged up to US$6 billion in financing over the next three years to support eligible SMEs across Africa underscores our commitment to fostering economic development,” he added.

The businessman also said the issuance complies with the revised minimum capital requirements for Nigerian commercial banks announced by the apex banking regulator in Nigeria — the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) earlier this year.

In April, UBA sought shareholders’ approval at the company’s 62nd annual general meeting (AGM) to raise capital.

The development followed the CBN’s directive to commercial banks with international licences to raise their capital base to N500 billion, pegging the capital requirement for national and regional financial institutions at N200 billion and N50 billion, respectively.

Business

FBN Holdings to change brand name to First Holdco

Published

2 days ago

November 16, 2024 7:54 am

BodexNG

First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Holdings Plc says shareholders have approved its plan to change the company’s name to First Holdco Plc.

In a notice on Friday, Adewale Arogundade, the company secretary, said the decision was approved by shareholders at its 12th annual general meeting held virtually on Thursday.

According to the company, the change will be extended to all subsidiaries.

“That there should be a change of the legal and brand names of the Company from FBN Holdings Plc and FBNHoldings to First Holdco Plc and FirstHoldco, respectively,” FBN Holdings said.

“That the change of legal and brand names should be extended to the subsidiaries of FBN Holdings Plc

“That the directors be and are hereby authorised to perform all such other acts and do all such other things as may be necessary to give effect to the above resolutions, including, without limitation, complying with the directives of any regulatory authority.

“That upon completion of the processes for the change of name, Increase of the Company’s share capital and allotment of the new ordinary shares in accordance with the resolutions above, the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company be amended as necessary to reflect the Company’s new legal name and Issued share capital.”

Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others