NDLEA foils $185,000 scam

Adelowo Oladipo, Lagos - 24.01.2008

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has foiled an attempt by one Mr. Louis Ihegworo to swindle a South African, Mr. William Mouton, of the sum of $185,000.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Affairs Manager of the anti-drug organisation, and obtained in Lagos on Wednesday by the Nigerian Tribune.

According to the release, the agreement was that if William paid the said non-refundable fee to the 34 years old suspect, then African Development Bank would credit his account with the sum of $3.9 million.

The release added that the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, said the country’s image must be protected by all citizens, hence the intervention of the NDLEA officials, who foiled the attempt to dupe the foreigner.

“Save for my officers timely intervention the suspect’s action would have negatively affected the reputation of the country. This is bad and must be condemned,” Giade said.

The suspect, Ihegworo, a school certificate holder, according to the release was allegedly arrested on January 10 for financial crime offences.

The release added that he forged documents impersonating the Chairman, African Development Bank, Attorney General of the Federation, Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Accountant General of the Federation, while other documents included certificate of legality from the Federal High Court of Justice, letter from the Honourable Minister of Finance and a document endorsed by the Chairperson Senate Committee on Foreign Payments.