A Briton is now in the Police net in Lagos, for allegedly defrauding Nigerian stockfish importers of $800,000.
The British national, who is said to be in his sixties, was arrested for allegedly duping some Nigerian stockfish importers, under the pretence of supplying them fish products from Iceland.
Impeccable sources at Shippers Plaza, the corporate headquarters of Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Apapa, Lagos, told THISDAY that the suspect, who is cooling his feet at Alagbon, Lagos would be charged to court as soon as investigations into the matter are concluded.
The suspect was arrested in the Republic of Benin capital, Cotonou by Interpol when he was about to defraud one Mr. Obina Echianu of $5,500 under the pretence of supplying him stock fish from Iceland
It was gathered that trouble started for the Briton when Echianu notified one of his colleagues in the stockfish business of his intention to remit $5,500 to his new agent for the supply of the fish products from the European country.
The cat was let out of the bag when Echianu gave out the name of his new agent to his colleague who had once been duped of a substantial amount. He was therefore discouraged from continuing with the transaction, and instead of remitting the money as requested by the Briton, he requested that they should meet for cash collection. They therefore arranged to meet at Cotonou.
At that stage a group of seven stockfish importers, including Echianu, who were the earlier victims of the Briton's fraudulent activities notified NSC through a petition. The Council later invited Interpol into the matter.
The letter from NSC, dated September 13 and addressed to the Inspector General of Police, was signed by one Ms. Augustinah Ogo, who asked for assistance in the arrest of the suspect in the Republic of Benin.
The man was eventually arrested when a team from the Nigeria Police and NSC accompanied Echianu to Cotonou. Echianu pretended to have come with the cash and in the process the suspect was arrested in the attempt to receive the money in a hotel. He was subsequently arrested and brought to Lagos for further interrogation.
- ThisDay Live
