By Amhed Yakubu
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it has arrested an Islamic scholar identified as Jamiu Isiaka for allegedly impersonating high profile Nigerians including the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr Maikanti Baru to scam a South Korean national of N30 million.
Also impersonated by the suspected believed to also be an herbalist is the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina and host of others.
Disclosing the arrest in a statement issued by the acting Head, Media and Publicity of EFCC, Tony Orilade on Friday, the anti-graft agency said the 31-year-old suspect with others now at large tricked South Korean national, Keun Sig Kim.
ALSO READ: Why A’ Court struck out judgement affirming Ogodo as Delta APC chair
According to the statement, Isiaka allegedly used the names of the senior government officials to scam the victim under the pretence of getting him an NNPC licence that would enable him purchase a company.
The statement read in part, “The petitioner had paid over N30m into the suspect’s account as a fee to get the licence.”
According to him, he transferred $4,285.071 to the United Bank of Africa account number 2107575870 in the name of one Jamiu Isiaka, an associate of Mr Shola Adeshina.
“Isiaka, during interrogation with EFCC officials, claimed that he used the money to perform sacrifice on behalf of the petitioner. He claimed to have bought a vulture, elephant’s skin, elephant’s intestine, skull of a lion, liver of gorilla, among others,” the statement read.
ALSO READ: The 11 Charges EFCC Slams On Naira Marley
The EFCC said the suspect would soon be arraigned, while there were ongoing efforts to apprehend the accomplices at large.
