A 37-year-old Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, Nura Abdullahi, was arrested by officers from Zone 2 Command in Lagos and charged in a Magistrate’s Court for allegedly misappropriating $50,000 (approximately N57 million) intended for a customer, Bolatiito Ayorinde.
According to police reports, Abdullahi received the funds from relatives of Ayorinde, who are based in the United States, with an agreement to exchange the dollars for naira and deliver the equivalent amount to Ayorinde. However, he allegedly failed to deliver the money and fled with the funds instead.
In addition, Abdullahi is accused of misappropriating N35 million belonging to Ayorinde’s wife, Mrs. Bolatiito Ayorinde.
Following the incident, Ayorinde filed a petition with Assistant Inspector General of Police AIG Adegoke Fayoade, leading to Abdullahi’s arrest at a hideout in Lagos.
He was arraigned at the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on three counts of obtaining money by false pretenses and theft. Prosecution counsel, ASP Francis Igbinosa, noted that the offence occurred on January 6, 2024, in Ajah, Lagos.
Igbinosa explained that Abdullahi had agreed to convert the $50,000 into naira but instead absconded with the money.
The charges against Abdullahi violate sections 411, 314 (1)(a)(b), 285, and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Abdullahi pleaded not guilty and was granted bail set at N700,000, with two sureties in the same amount by Magistrate A.O. Alogba. The case has been adjourned until October 24, 2024, and Abdullahi will remain at Ikoyi Correctional Facility until his bail conditions are met.
