EFCC nabs 2 with 556 ATM cards, travellers’ cheques

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested two Nigerians with a shocking 556 banking instruments, with which they had been using to commit unsuspecting large scale fraud.

The two men-Jonathan Odu Isikwei and Paschal Onuora Udeh   were picked up operatives of the commission for unlawful possession of   448 travelers’ cheques and 108 Automated Teller Machine (ATM)/Debit cards.

Jonathan Odu Isikwei was found with 448 travelers’ cheques, while Pascal Onuora Udeh, 34, was arrested with 108 ATM cards on his way to China.

A statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the two suspects would soon appear in court to account for their action.

The statement said: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign one Jonathan Odu Isikwei for unlawful possession of 448 travelers’ Cheques.

“Isikwei 51, a native of Igbodo in Aniocha local government area of Delta State, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, by the Operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during the outward clearance of passengers on a Belgium- bound flight.

“The case was transferred to the EFCC for further investigation.”

The EFCC gave the details of its investigation into the incidents.

It added: “The 448 travelers’ Cheques recovered from Isikwei were discovered to purportedly belong to four banks in America, Europe and Canada.

“The banks and the travelers’ cheques are – Gun Nebo Inc. (Bank of Nova Scotia)- 117 pieces, Postbank Frankfurt -258 pieces, Safe Federal Credit Union -41 pieces and RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) -32 pieces.

“All the travellers’   cheques were signed, with some having monetary value written on them. Among the cheques belonging to Safe Federal Credit Union, 27 pieces were blank, while 14 pieces of the cheques have monetary value worth 322,800 US Dollars.

“ (27) pieces of the travellers’ cheques belonging to Gun Nebo Canada Inc. were blank, while 90 pieces of the cheques have monetary value worth 354,300 Canadian Dollars.

“The suspect who claimed he exports dried fish from Nigeria to Belgium, told investigators that he collected the parcel for onward delivery to a friend without any knowledge of the content.”

The EFCC explained how Udeh was intercepted with 108 ATM cards at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

It said: “In a related development, the EFCC is investigating the activities of one Pascal Onuora Udeh.

“The 34-year-old was arrested for being in possession of 108 pieces of Automated Teller Machine (ATM)/Debit cards.

“The suspect, who claimed to be a trader and an undergraduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, is a native of Umudim Village of Obibi, Ochasi Ato, in Orlu local government area of Imo State.”