The Nigeria Police Force has extradited Abubakar Muhammed, a high-profile fraud suspect, from the United Arab Emirates to Nigeria to face prosecution.
Muhammed, wanted since 2023, was apprehended in Dubai on April 15 and returned to Nigeria on May 23. The extradition was facilitated through collaboration between INTERPOL NCB Abuja, INTERPOL Abu Dhabi, Dubai Police, and the Nigerian Consulate General in Dubai.
According to police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, Muhammed was on INTERPOL’s Red Notice list for allegedly scamming an Abuja-based international businessman out of $307,500. Posing as a shipping agent, Muhammed allegedly deceived the victim into paying for the shipment of ten luxury cars from the UAE to Nigeria.
Investigations revealed that the payment was funneled through a third-party FCMB bank account owned by Anas Usaini, a Kano resident, and subsequently laundered through networks in Dubai.
“After collecting the full amount, Muhammed issued a fake bill of lading and severed all contact with the complainant,” Adejobi said. He is expected to stand trial at the Federal High Court.
The case is being hailed as a significant step forward in Nigeria’s fight against cross-border financial crimes.
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