According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, on Saturday, Muhammed was the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice after allegedly defrauding an Abuja-based international businessman under the guise of facilitating the shipment of luxury vehicles from the UAE to Nigeria. The case, which was reported in July 2023, centers on a fraudulent transaction involving the shipment of ten high-end vehicles valued at $307,500.
Adejobi explained that Muhammed misrepresented himself as a shipping agent and convinced the complainant to enter into a contract for the purchase and shipment of the vehicles. After gaining the businessman’s trust, Muhammed arranged for the funds to be transferred into a third-party account at First City Monument Bank (FCMB) in Nigeria. The account, belonging to one Anas Usaini,a resident of Kano, was then used as a conduit for laundering the stolen funds through Dubai’s financial networks.
“Upon receipt of the full payment, Muhammed provided the complainant with a forged bill of lading for the vehicles, thereby creating a false impression that the shipment was legitimate. However, he subsequently became uncontactable and absconded with the funds,” Adejobi said.
Investigations uncovered that the funds transferred into Usaini’s account were quickly laundered through complex financial schemes in Dubai, making recovery efforts more challenging. Adejobi highlighted the successful collaboration between law enforcement agencies across Nigeria and the UAE as a critical step in the global fight against transnational financial crimes.
“Muhammed’s extradition marks a significant victory in the battle against fraud and money laundering. The suspect will be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Nigeria, where he will face charges related to obtaining by false pretenses, fraud, and money laundering,” Adejobi stated.
The Nigerian Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to tackling financial crimes and transnational fraud, pledging continued cooperation with international agencies to track down and prosecute offenders who seek to exploit cross-border financial systems for criminal gain.
The extradition of Muhammed serves as a stern warning to fraudsters that law enforcement will not relent in pursuing justice, no matter how far they attempt to run.
