Date: 2018-12-15

Two women, Mujibat Shuaibu and Zainab Akeyede both of Baboko New Market, Ilorin, Kwara State who allegedly conspired with 12 others and involved in alleged dealings in the buying and selling of Nigeria's Naira and Coin have been arraigned before an Ilorin Magistrates' Court.

The other accused are Haruna Yusuf, Adebayo Habeeb, Gbadamosi Noah, Abdulganiyu Jamiu, Isiaka Abdulekeem, Alaro Abdulkabir.

Others are: Tayo Olajide, Azeez Abdulakeem, Abdulateef Babatunde, Adebayo Kazeem, Garuba Onimago Abdulgafar and Abdulrasak Suleiman, all of Lasoju Printing Press, Baboko New Market Area, Ilorin, Kwara State.

They were arrested on November 30,2018 by the operatives of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Police Headquarters, Ilorin together with the operatives of Department of State Services (DSS) and the Central Bank Enforcement Committee on the request of the Director, Security Services Department of the Central Bank in order to stem the abuse of naira notes.

The Police First information Report (FIR) stated that during the sting operation, the accused were arrested at Lasoju Printing Press, Baboko New Market Area, Ilorin, while engaging in trading of Naira notes.

The FIR stated that during the operation the sum of N261,650 in both new N200 and N50 notes as well as a sum of N322,900 in various old naira denominations being traded with by the accused were recovered from a wooden box where it was kept by the accused at Lasoju Printing Press office, Ilorin.

The FIR added further that concerted police efforts later led to the arrest of Suleiman (14th accused) who was the Director and owner of Lasoju Printing Press.

He confessed to the ownership of the recovered monetary exhibits and that he had been engaging in the trading of naira notes.

The accused were brought before the court on a one-count charge of trading in notes and coins, contrary to Section 21(1)(4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, Cap A72, No. 7, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2007.

The prosecutor, Isaac Yakubu, informed the court that investigation into the case was yet to be completed. He prayed the court to adjourn the case till further date to enable the police complete investigation.

The magistrate, Mrs. M.D. Dasuki, released the accused on bail each at the sum of N50,000 and two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned till January 10, 2019 for further mention.