EXCLUSIVE: Suspect Defrauds Stock Exchange of N190M

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

 For allegedly defrauding the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) of N190million, the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), weekend, paraded the Managing Director of De-Anchor, Mr. Uche  Philips Ehiemere. 

This is just as the unit has also arrested two other suspects; Ibukun Ojo and Steve Olusoji Fakolujo for conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. 

Confirming the incident, SFU Spokesperson, Ngozi Isintume-Agu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the 60-year old suspect was arrested by detectives on March 1, based on a petition filed against him by the NSE.

According to her, the NSE had alleged that Ehimere was appointed in 1999 as its property manager to collect revenue from its tenants at the NSE’s Building in Lagos with the mandate to retain 5 per cent of such rents as service/maintenance charge and remit the balance to NSE’s account.

However, she said upon reconciliation of the accounts, in August, 2012, it was discovered that the suspect  had fraudulently converted about N190,000,000 being the total sum collected to his use without remitting same to NSE’s account. 

The spokesperson said the suspect was also accused of stealing diesel and generator batteries between September, 2012 and January, 2013 as well as 

collected N10,606,100.40 and N5,234,048.40 from two tenants of NSE, namely, the Central Securities & Clearing System (CSCS) and First Bank respectively.

Meanwhile, Isintume-Agu said Ojo and Fakolujo who were arrested for impersonation, conspiracy and impersonation, is part of the unit's Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogunsakin's continuous clampdown on fraudsters.

She said, "On 6th March 2013, a petition was received from the Canadian High Commission alleging a case of suspected fraud against Mount Zion Clinic/Hospital located at No. 2, Mukandasi Street, Oja-Oke, Oshodi, Lagos.  

"The petitioner stated that the first suspect, one Steve Olusoji Fakolujo, a Nigerian, resident in Canada came to Nigeria sometime in May 2012 and approached the suspect, one Ibukun Ojo who parades himself as a qualified medical doctor, to assist him procure some forged medical bills which will enable him claim health insurance from Canadian Government.

The suspect obliged him and forged the following documents; medical professional and consultation charges, drugs and medications, ambulance fees, accommodation, feeding and other miscellaneous expenses, totaling N89,989,742.46."

Armed with the documents, the spokesperson said the suspect travelled back to Canada and presented the forged documents for claim but was arrested. 

She disclosed that the Ojo was a medical student drop-out who illegally practices medicine and runs a one-man clinic/hospital, adding that he has since confessed to the alleged crime and admitted forging all the medical documents including the medical summary report on Steve Olusoji Fakolujo with Claim No. 216316 for a paltry sum of N1,500.

She said the three suspects would soon be charged to court after investigations must have been concluded.