Three Nigerian Fraudsters Arrested Over Sh35m

The three suspects shy away from the cameras after their arrest. PHOTO/Donald Kirya
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By Donald Kirya in Jinja 

 Three men, said to be Nigerian nationals, were arrested by Police in Jinja for allegedly defrauding a cashier working with Kakira Sugar Limited of shs35m. Valentine Ukeje, 37, Jordan Steven Asobasi, 32, and Towa Kawawa were intercepted by Police Monday morning. 

 They are all businessmen and residents of Makindye division in Kampala, reports show. Jonathan Musinguzi – the Jinja district Police commander – said the trio led by Ukeje went to the Jinja-based sugar factory at the end of last month, outsmarted one of the cashiers there and disappeared with sh35m. 



 He said when the incident was reported at Kakira Police Station, a case under CRB: 6011/2012 was immediately filed then later transferred to Jinja Central Police Station which started investigations and pursued the suspects.

 “We pursued the suspects until they were arrested from Makindye where they were picked and brought to Jinja Central Police Station in Jinja,” Musinguzi said. 
 The assumed leader of the clique, Ukeje hid his face away from the cameras when the trio was paraded before journalists at the DPC’s office on Monday. 

 The suspects were also found with counterfeit dollar notes worth over shs1bn and a metallic safe box. The dollars and safe were recovered from Ukeje’s car following a thorough search. “These are conmen but they are also involved in printing fake money. 

The cashier is on the run and Police is looking for him so that he is also arrested,” Musinguzi added. He said they recovered a complicated device inside the safe which contained wires and added that they will call the Counter Terrorism Police to check it and find out what it is.

 The Police did not rule out the possibility that it could be a bomb. According to Police, the three will be charged with possession of counterfeit money and theft of money worth shs35 million from the Kakira sugar factory. 

 The cashier is still at large and Police is trying to trace him, Musinguzi revealed. Once arrested, the cashier, whose names could not be established by press time, will be charged with embezzlement. 
 The suspects are yet to be taken to Jinja High Court. 

 Ukeje, said to be the clique leader, tried to drown his face into his shirt as he was led towards the cells by two police personnel. PHOTO/Donald Kirya 

 The Police feared that the contents of the metallic safe box could potentially be bomb components. PHOTO/Donald Kirya 

 The counterfeit dollar notes worth over shs1bn that were found in Ukeje's car. PHOTO/Donald Kirya
SOURCE: CLICK