Egbetokun hails officers for securing conviction of fraudster for $1m oil fraud

By Monday Ijeh

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun had commended his officers, involved in securing the conviction of one David Udensike a.k.a Dr Jacob Bello over transnational oil-related fraud amounting to over 1,000,000 dollars.

This was revealed by The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the statement, the investigation and prosecution of the suspect followed a petition by a United States–based energy company, alleging that the convict obtained funds from the firm under the pretext of facilitating legitimate crude oil transactions in Nigeria.

Based on the petition, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) commenced investigations which revealed that the suspect, between 2018 and 2023, operated a coordinated criminal network.

The investigation revealed that the network used forged documents purportedly emanating from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other regulatory agencies to deceive the victim’s company.

Police Forensic analyses also confirmed that the documents, seals, and authentication materials presented by the suspect were entirely counterfeit.

Hundeyin said funds traced through the scheme were found to have been diverted into accounts linked to the convict and his accomplices.

The Force Public Relations Officer added that following diligent investigation and prosecution, a Federal High Court, Abuja, on Oct. 22 convicted the suspect on charges bordering on Forgery, Obtaining by False Pretence, and Money Laundering.

He said the court had also ordered the forfeiture of assets worth millions of naira, including real estate and other properties derived from the proceeds of the crime, to facilitate restitution to the victim.

Hundeyin said Egbetokun affirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting corporate integrity and ensuring that cyber-enabled financial criminals, irrespective of status or location, were brought to justice. (NAN)