Two men have been arraigned before the Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding a traveler of over N16.6 million at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) while posing as Bureau De Change operators.
The defendants, Usman Garuba and Sagir Shuaib, allegedly approached Ali Kelvin on March 26, 2025, around 5 p.m., offering to convert 90,000 Chinese yuan (RMB) - approximately N16,650,000 - into Nigerian naira.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
According to court documents and police investigations, Kelvin, believing the men to be legitimate currency exchange agents, handed over the funds but never received the naira equivalent. Following a formal complaint at the Airport Police Division, investigations led to the swift arrest of the suspects.
During interrogation, Garuba and Shuaib allegedly confessed to collecting the funds and admitted to spending the entire sum, claiming they were unable to refund the victim.
Charges and Court Proceedings
The duo now faces a three-count charge including conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretenses, and stealing. The prosecution revealed that two accomplices involved in the fraudulent scheme remain at large.
The charges include:
- Conspiracy to commit a felony under Section 325(1) of the Lagos State Criminal Law
- Fraudulent acquisition of 90,000 RMB under the pretext of currency exchange, violating Section 314 and punishable under Section 314(3)
- Theft of foreign currency, contrary to Section 287
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Bail Conditions and Remand
Inspector Adeitan Oluwabunmi, prosecuting, informed the court of the prosecution's readiness to proceed with the case and requested a date for hearing to present evidence against the accused.
Magistrate M.A. Agbaje granted bail to the defendants with strict conditions, including the provision of sureties with verifiable means of livelihood and evidence of tax compliance. The court also directed that the sureties' addresses be confirmed by law enforcement before bail could be perfected.
Pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions, Garuba and Shuaib have been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned for mention.
This case highlights the importance of using official channels for currency exchange, especially at international airports where travelers are often targeted by fraudsters.
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