The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned Abubakar Mohammed, a Dubai-based Nigerian, over allegations of defrauding an international automobile dealer of $307,500 under the guise of shipping luxury vehicles from the United Arab Emirates to Nigeria.
Mohammed was arrested in the UAE by the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) following a complaint lodged in July 2023. According to police investigations, he secured a contract to facilitate the payment and shipment of ten high-end vehicles through established shipping companies. However, after receiving the funds via a third-party FCMB account operated by one Anas Usaini from Kano, the money was allegedly laundered in Dubai.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, said Mohammed provided the complainant with a forged bill of lading and subsequently became unreachable.
Following his extradition to Nigeria on May 23, Mohammed was arraigned on Tuesday before a Federal High Court in Abuja. He pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge, including criminal breach of trust, obtaining by false pretence, forgery, and money laundering.
The presiding judge ordered his remand at the Nigeria Correctional Service facility in Keffi, Nasarawa State, pending the determination of his bail application, which is slated for hearing on July 17, 2025.
