On Friday, May 23, 2025, the Nigeria Police Force, acting through the INTERPOL NCB Abuja, successfully extradited Abubakar Aboki Muhammad, a Nigerian fugitive, from the United Arab Emirates. After a thorough investigation into a case of obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, and money laundering, NCB Abuja issued an INTERPOL Red Notice to a male suspect named Muhammad.
According to a press release on Saturday, 24th May 2025, signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the case originates from a report filed in July 2023 by an Abuja-based international businessman who was defrauded by Muhammad under the guise of being a shipping agent.
Investigations revealed that Muhammad misrepresented himself to the complainant, securing a contract to facilitate payments and freight of ten high-end vehicles, valued at $307,500.00, from the UAE to Nigeria via designated registered shipping companies.
After establishing trust, Muhammad fraudulently received the full payment through a third-party account at FCMB belonging to Anas Usaini, a Kano resident, which was subsequently used for money laundering activities in Dubai.
Upon receipt of the payment, Muhammad provided the complainant with a forged bill of lading for the vehicles and subsequently became uncontactable. He was apprehended in Dubai on April 15, 2025, and has been extradited to Nigeria to face prosecution at the Federal High Court, marking a significant success in the ongoing fight against transnational financial crime.
“The Nigeria Police Force, under the steadfast leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, recognises the invaluable assistance of the Dubai Police, INTERPOL NCB Abu Dhabi, and the Nigerian Consulate General in Dubai in facilitating the extradition of Abubakar Aboki Muhammed, and extends its sincere gratitude.
“The NPF will continue to collaborate with international law enforcement agencies to pursue and bring to justice individuals who seek to exploit and defraud citizens through cross-border criminal activities, the statement concluded