Nigerian remanded in custody for fraud

Sekondi, April 07, GNA - A 42 year old Nigerian, Anthony Ekokwu, who together with other accomplices have been using the name of Tullow Oil Company to defraud the unsuspecting public, has been arrested by the Western Regional Police Command.

Ekokwu was arrested in Cape Coast, last Thursday, when he was offering samples of a supposed metal high pressure pipes, he claims Tullow needed in high demand, Ekokwu was exchanging the pipes for money from a man whose name is being withheld in the presence of plain clothed policemen. Mr Victor Agbetornyo, Regional Crime Officer told the Ghana News Agency in Takoradi on Wednesday that, Ekokwu together with others now at large have been calling people on their mobile phones, telling them that the Tullow Oil Company was in high demand of 200 pieces of the supposed two point two metal high pressure pipes, which they could supply but would need money for that. He said a man working in a reputable organization in Takoradi received one of such calls on his mobile phone from one Raymond, who claimed to be an engineer with the Tullow Company. Mr Agbetornyo said the man alerted the Sekondi Police, who quickly moved to Cape Coast, where Ekokwu had asked him to meet them for the product.

The Crime Officer said Ekokwu was immediately arrested and the samples retrieved from him but the others were nowhere to be found. He said the police would check from the open market to know if the products really exist. It has the inscription "Asian device tool, 2.2 inch" on them.

The Crime Officer said if the deal had gone through, each person would have made a profit of 3,000 dollars. He said the suspect claim one pipe sells at 1,500 dollars but they would convince Tullow to buy each for 2,000 dollars. Meanwhile, Mr Agbetornyo confirmed that Ekokwu has been arraigned before a Sekondi magistrates' court for attempting to defraud by false pretences and remanded in custody until April 20. His plea was not taken.