EFCC arrests herbalist who ‘impersonated NNPC GMD’
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Jamiu Isiaka, a 31-year-old herbalist, for allegedly impersonating Maikanti Baru, group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC).
According to Tony Orilade, spokesman of the commission, the suspect also impersonated Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity.
Orilade said the suspect with others at large, used the names of the senior government officials to defraud Keun Sig Kim, a South Korean national.
"This is under the pretence of getting him an NNPC licence that would enable him purchase a company," he said.
"The petitioner paid over N30 million into the suspect's account as fee to get the licence."
Kim was quoted as saying: "I transferred 4.2 million dollars to a United Bank of Africa, account number 2107575870 in the name of one Jamiu Isiaka, an associate of Mr Shola Adeshina.
"It is noteworthy that this account particulars have been provided severally for me to make transfer to."
Orilade said during interrogation, the suspect said he used the money to perform sacrifice on behalf of the petitioner.
The spokesperson alleged that the suspect claimed that he bought a vulture, elephant's skin, elephant's intestine, skull of a lion, liver of gorilla, among others.
"The suspect will soon be arraigned in court while efforts are ongoing to nab the accomplices at larger," he said.