Richard Ginika Izuora
The Police has arrested one Chief Izuchukwu Nwabueze who allegedly posed as an aide to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Danmallam Mohammed.
Nwabueze had allegedly disguised himself to enable him defraud a number of unsuspecting members of the public.
The development was confirmed by DSP Nkeiruka Nwode, spokesperson for the Zone 13 Command on Wednesday.
Nwabueze had allegedly obtained millions of naira from people in the guise of raising money to furnish a residential quarter and installing a sound proof generator for the AIG.
Nwode said: “In an effort to nip fraudulent tendencies in the bud, operatives attached to Zonal CID Zone 13, Ukpo, arrested one Ichie Sir Izuchukwu Nwabueze, 35, of Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area on September 21. He cornered Sir Chris Okeke and High Chief Daniel Nwaigwe; both of G20 Foundation Awka and collected a total sum of N7.3 million from them,’’ she said.
Also, the Police PRO said the suspect defrauded Mr Chidi Okoye of the sum of N240,000; Mr Benson Okoye, N185,000; Umugama village, N100,000 and Prince Okoyeze, N100,000. Other victims include Mr. Chukwudi Okeke, N210, 000; Prof Sylvanus Anika, N50, 000; Chief Nnamdi Egbuha, a gas cylinder and Mr Ndubuisi Onwuakpa, one horse power air conditioner.
She added that the suspect obtained N1, 000, 000 from one Ifeanyi Umeh on behalf of the Anglican Bishop of Awka, Archbishop Alexander Ibezim.
Thensuspect had allegedly approached Mr Akunwata Modebe to join him in the forum he created; noting that it was to support the activities of the newly created Zone 13 Police headquarters.
“He allegedly convinced him to pay the sum of N1, 000, 000 on Sept. 1, which he did to his Fidelity Bank’s account. He further approached one Mr Stanley Chibuzor, the CEO of Brost Global Resources and collected the sum of N500, 000 from him; to allegedly enlist him in his stakeholders’ forum,” Nwode said.
The Police accused the suspect of allegedly collecting another N370, 000 from Chibuzor to purchase an iPad for the AIG; as well as another N1,150, 000 for the furnishing of the office of the Personal Assistant to the AIG.
“When Chibuzor requested for the refund, the said Izuchukwu gave him a Fidelity Bank’s cheque of N1, 150, 000; belonging to Chriskwik Ventures Limited of 32 Isa Williams Str., Okearin, Lagos State, which he presented to the bank but bounced.’’
Nwode said the suspect had voluntarily confessed to the crime and would be arraigned after further investigation.
She reiterated the AIG’s call on the members of the public, whom the suspect had defrauded to report to the DCP Echeng Echeng;in-charge of Criminal Investigations Department.
“The public should be wary of such crime and report suspicious activities or persons through the zone’s emergency number; 08060463492, or the nearest police station or command for prompt response,’’ she said.
However, the suspect denied all the allegations levelled against him.