Man In EFCC Net For Swindling Traditional Ruler N525m

MICHAEL AKINOLA

A Traditional Ruler, Kabiyesi Jacob Esan of Ijesa, Osun State and owner of Liberitas Plc is now counting his loses after he was swindled to the tune of N525m.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested one Philemon Ibrahim Gora for offences bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, issuance of dud cheque and money laundering to the tune of N525 million from the monarch in Lagos.

The suspect, through one of his front companies, Gracious Environ Workers and Planners Nigeria Limited, allegedly obtained the sum of N525m from Kabiyesi Jacob Esan of Ijesa, Osun State and owner of Liberitas Plc, with the assurance of converting it to the United Arab Emirates, UAE currency, Dirham, for him.

However, he reneged on the agreement upon receipt of the money which he allegedly transferred to his various accounts as well as to some Bureau De Change operators, who have confirmed giving the suspect the Dollar equivalent of the money in cash.

It was further revealed that the suspect, through another of his front companies, N-PAS Nigeria Limited, deposited 41 Sterling Bank cheques of N10m each, totalling N410 million in favour of the complainant’s company, Liberitas.
But the cheques were returned unpaid due to insufficient funds.

The alleged fraud was reported to the EFCC, whose operatives trailed the suspect, eventually arrested and detained him in their custody while undergoing interrogation over the act.

According to sources at the EFCC, he had already confessed but have not released the money to the monarch and will soon be charged to Court for the alleged offence.