Police arraign three suspects over alleged N190m property scam

The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned three suspects over an alleged N190 million property scam.

The suspects were said to have defrauded a businessman, Idris Ahmed Tijjani, of the sum under the guise of selling a property to him.

The suspects, Tolulope Aiyetan, Umma Ibrahim, Abdulbaki Abdulbaki, all pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge filed against them by the police.

They were, however, granted bail by the court in the sum of N10 million.

In the suit with charge number CR/168/2026 dated April 40, 2026 and filed by Adama Musa, a Chief Superintendent of Police of the Legal and Prosecution Section of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police, Federal Capital Territory Command, the prosecution alleged that the suspects conspired among themselves to collect the money from the businessman under false pretense, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006.

During the trial, the complainant, Idris Ahmed Tijjani, is expected to give evidence of how the defendants conspired and defrauded him under the pretense of selling a genuine property to him, and also refused to refund his money.

Besides Tijjani, three other witnesses have been slated to testify in the matter during trial.

Also, 10 exhibits were listed by the police to be tendered as evidence during the trial. The exhibits include the statements of the defendants, statements of the witnesses, statement compliance forms, memorandum of deposit, CAC form for Xenius Global Nig. Ltd, a letter from Jaiz Bank addressed to Idris Ahmed Tijjani dated 24th June, 2024, and letter of demand notice dated 5th January, 2024.

Other exhibits are a letter from Jaiz Bank to Avert Chambers dated 11th January, 2024, Deed of Assignment between Tolulope Aiyetan Oluwatosin and Idris Ahmed Tijjani, letter from Avert Chambers addressed to the Consumer Protection Department dated 13th February, 2024, letter from Jaiz bank addressed to Xenius Global Nig. Ltd. dated 25th January, 2024, and evidence of payment of N150 million by the nominal complainant.

Count 1 read: “That you (1) Tolulope Aiyetan, (2) Umma Ibrahim, (3). Abdulbaki Abdulbaki all male adults of FCT, Abuja, and (4) Jaiz Bank PLC, (5) Xenius Global Nigeria Ltd on or about the month of December, 2023 at FCT Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: Obtaining property by false pretense. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related. Offences Act 2006.”