Herbalist defrauds Korean of N30m in oil and gas contract scam

A self-acclaimed herbalist, Jamiu Isiaka, is standing trial before a Kwara State High Court, sitting in Ilorin, for defrauding a South Korean, Keun Sig Kim, of about N30 million in an oil and gas contract scam.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), 31-year-old Isiaka was first arraigned before Justice M. Abdulgafar on June 14, 2019 on a four-count charge bordering on impersonation, forgery and obtaining money under false pretence.

He had allegedly promised to help Kim secure an approval/marketing form and licence certificate from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to enable the foreigner buy crude oil in Nigeria.

During the resumed hearing on Wednesday, June 19, the Second-in-Command at the EFCC's Ilorin Zonal Office, Dare Folarin, told the court that Isiaka impersonated top Nigerian government officials to defraud Kim while pretending he was helping him secure an oil licence.

Some of the officials impersonated by the accused include NNPC's Group Managing Director, Maikanti Baru, President Muhammadu Buhari's spokesperson, Femi Adesina, and a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Amina Zakari.

Folarin, the prosecution's first witness, said, "A petition was written to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC by the complainant, in which he alleged that some fraudsters collected over N30 million from him all in the name of helping him secure licence from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

"The herbalist sent several documents, which he claimed emanated from the NNPC and had the names of some top government functionaries like, the GMD of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, National Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Amina Zakari, among others.

"Several foreign currencies were paid into Isiaka's domiciliary account in UBA by the petitioner, and the bank confirmed that the defendant is the sole signatory to that account, from which he made the withdrawal through a written instruction."

Folarin disclosed to the court that the NNPC confirmed that the documents sent to Kim by Isiaka were fake as they never came from the state-owned oil corporation.

He said the defendant also claimed, under interrogation, that he bought the skull of a lion for N400,000, the skin of an elephant for N500,000 and a vulture for N330,000 among other items to conduct sacrifice for Kim.

Items recovered from Isiaka include a Toyota Corolla car, a Plasma television, home theater, refrigerator, air conditioner, and a generator.

The judge adjourned further hearing of the case till June 25.