Catechist Blames Temptation For N15.8m Counterfeit Currency Scam

• Police nab 2 others in Kotangora

BY VICTOR BUORO – A Catechist with the Catholic Church in Kebbi State and two other suspects are currently cooling their feet in Police cell for succumbing to the urge of getting rich quick.

The Niger State Police Command said the threesome were picked up for allegedly engaging in selling counterfeit currency.

Naming the suspects as Emmanuel Akazuwa – 42; Catechist Sabastine Dabu – 48; and Umar Mohammed – 50, the Command said they were arrested in a hotel at Kontagora soliciting to sell off the fake N15.8 million in their possession.

Paraded by the Police before newsmen, Akazuwa, who claimed to be a farmer, disclosed that the fake currency was bought from one Nifom at the rate of N150,000, adding that he had hoped to sell and make profit from the business to buy a commercial motorcycle.

Akazuwa admitted meeting and discussing with Catechist Dabu at a Cathedral Congress in Makurdi, who then promised to assist him dispose of the currency.

According to him, the Catechist called after some time and requested that he should come down to Niger state with the currency because there was a buyer waiting for it.

Further explaining circumstances surrounding the alleged crime, Akazuwa said; “This is my first time in this business. I wanted to just sell it and use the money I get to buy a motorcycle for commercial business.

“I know it was fake and it is criminal and that is why I did not use it all through the time I was given.”

He said further told journalists that; “I met the Catechist at a Congress in Makurdi and he promised me that he will get a buyer for me. I met him in Mokwa junction and from there, we proceeded to Kontagora but we could not sell it, rather, we were arrested.”

Dabu, a farmer and Catechist in Kebbi, said his involvement in the deal was due to hard times and suffering, lamenting that he needed money to cater for his family.

“I have never done this before but the suffering was too much that is why I decided to get involved and whatever money I get from this, I will use it to help myself and my family.

“It was due to suffering that I decided to connect Emmanuel with Umar who said he will get a buyer for us.

“The person was meant to buy each million for N150, 000 and we would have made money if we succeeded but we didn’t.”

Obviously regretting his actions, Dabu said; “As a Catechist, it is temptation that made me get involved in this. Nobody is above temptation.

“I am a Catechist in a Catholic Church in Kebbi and I have not been involved in this before. I feel bad for being caught. I wonder what I will tell the congregation and my children. It was really temptation.”

Commenting on case which is still under investigation, Niger Police spokesman, DSP Abiodun Wasiu, said the suspects will be arraigned in court as soon as the Command ties all the loose ends.