Operatives
of the inspector general of police intelligence response team (IRT) have
arrested two members of a three-man fraud syndicate who specialize in forging
Local Purchase Order (LPO) to
fraudulently collect goods from companies and individuals.
The arrested suspects identified as
52-year-old Oluwatoyin Shyombo and 43-year-old Adeyemo Taiwo, reportedly use
some of the goods or one percent of the proceeds to sow seeds in some churches
in Nigeria after every successful operation.
Speaking to newsmen, Oluwatoyin said ” We first
sent Taiwo to the Apostolic church to tell the pastor in charge that Joseph
George wanted to sow seeds. We later went to rice company in Benue and
submitted the LPO for 200 bags of rice at #13,500 per bag .
"We
also called the Flier Thermacool company in Ilupeju to come to Deeper life
church to collect the LPO pretending that we were representing the church
whereas the church was not aware of the deal.
"Thermacool
company later supplied 50 standing AC at #600,000 each, 20 split AC at #90,000
each and 10 pieces of generators at #230,000 each.
"We
gave seven standing generators to Amaechi, the standby buyer and he gave us
#600,000 for transport, 13 split AC but he did not give us a dime. Police
recovered some of the goods."
Also
confessing to the crime, Taiwo said “I am married with four children. I work in
Oil and gas company. I am from Ile Ife, Osun state. I was formerly working in
Bako Superstar company that produces sack at #14,000 salary at Oregun Orile in
1998 but I had problem and was fired.
I started
hustling in Apapa. When I carry oil, 50, 000 litres or 33,000 litres I get #1
or #50 per litre. The job is quite challenging and frustrating sometimes. My
role was to go to Christ Apostolic in Abuja and tell the pastor in charge that
I want to sow seed. It was George that printed the LPO but the moment we were
done with the transaction he traveled to South Africa. I collected only
#250,000. I went to Deeper life church at Ireakari Isolo and told them we
wanted to give them AC and we called the Thermacool company. The arrest of
Amaechi led to our arrest. We gave church one standing AC.
"When
the company did not see any money they called the complainant who collected the
rice and supplied to the fraudsters"
It was further learnt that the churches are
usually not aware of their criminal activities. The Lagos State police
spokesperson, Bala Elkana said the suspects will be charged to court after
investigation has been concluded.
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