BDC Operator Testifies in N280 Million Fraud Case Against Company Director
A Bureau De Change operator, Alhaji Idris Ali, appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, where he testified in a fraud case involving N280 million against Muhammad Lawal, the managing director of Faru Power Solution Limited.
Taking the stand as the first prosecution witness, Ali maintained during cross-examination by defence counsel, Yakubu Philemon, SAN, that several transactions were made directly into the company’s bank account. He firmly denied transferring the money through a third party, Dr. Abbas Waziri.
“I dealt directly with the defendant,” Ali told the court, adding that he transferred some funds straight to Faru Power Solution Limited and had receipts to support his claim, which were submitted by his lawyer.
When shown a police statement dated June 6, 2024, in which he was said to have admitted handing the money to Dr. Waziri, Ali rejected the claim, arguing that the statement lacked his signature. “This isn’t my statement. If I had made it, I would have signed it,” he said.
Although he acknowledged one of the documents in the file as his statement, he insisted that the unsigned version did not come from him. He reiterated that Lawal personally received the money, including cash sums of $50,000 and $60,000.
When asked why no direct evidence of cash exchange was presented, Ali said, “Dr. Abbas witnessed the transaction. Besides, the defendant acknowledged the debt in a written agreement before this court.”
Justice Emeka Nwite postponed further hearings to June 17 and 18.
Lawal is currently facing a 20-count charge linked to fraudulent dealings totalling N280 million. The case, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/374/2024, accuses him of deceiving Ali under the guise of investing in telex copy transactions.
Specific charges include receiving $60,000 and $50,000 on separate occasions under false pretences, as well as collecting N10 million and N40 million through bank accounts linked to Faru Power Solution Limited and another entity, Sky Ville Company Solution Limited.
Other allegations involve laundering the proceeds of the suspected fraud and forging property documents, including a letter of allocation and a deed of assignment.
Lawal was first arraigned on July 31, 2024, where he denied all allegations and was initially remanded in custody. Though granted bail of N50 million on August 14 with one surety, he failed to meet the conditions. The court later relaxed the bail terms on September 12th,http://ournigerianews.com 2024.
