The High Court in Ilorin has granted an order to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to declare Ibrahim Shehu Tenimu and Jemima Monosoko Shehu, directors of Paz Oil Nigeria Limited, wanted. They are accused of conspiring to defraud Dr. Kamoru Ibitoye Yusuf, the owner of Kam Steel Nigeria Limited, of $400,000.
The Order followed series of attempts by law enforcement agencies to prosecute Ibrahim Shehu Tenimu, the prime suspect, all to no avail as he remains at large.
Recalled that a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin had in August remanded Esther Shehu and David Kpanaki at the Federal Correctional Centre following a petition written by Dr. Yusuf vide a direct complaint on July 18, 2023 through Tafa Ahmed & Co Solicitors & Advocates.
The defendants were brought to the court on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, screening an offender, obstruction of justice and obtaining by false pretence.”
The offences contravened Sections 97, 322, 167 and 148 of the Penal Code Law and 1(3) of Advance Fee Fraud/other related Offences Act Cap. A6 LFN
According to the Police First Information Report (FIR), Ibrahim Tenimu Shehu and Jemima Monosoko Shehu, now at large conspired with Kpanaki, who identified himself as the director of Paz Oil, to fraudulently sell a vessel MT ORYX TRADER as MT REMOS to the petitioner. That the suspects
“dishonestly presented the vessel as free and not subject to any administrative detention, knowing fully well that it is a subject of a court Order.
That “on the account of fraudulent presentation by Ibrahim Tenimu Sheu, Jemima Monosoko and Kpanaki David cause financial loss to the petitioner to the tune of $400,000 in addition to the purchase price of the vessel and absconded”.
The charge sheet further added that when the suspects were later tracked by a team of Police operatives to Abuja for possible arrest, the second accused, Esther Shehu, obstructed the officers by dishonesty called your accomplice who claimed to be the DPO of the jurisdiction who deceitfully led the operatives to leave the premises with a promise that the suspect Tenimu Shehu Ibrahim (at large), will meet them at the police station by 12pm, however the prime suspect was whisked out of the premises by Kpanaki in a Blue Tinted Toyota Corolla to an unknown destination”, the sheet added.
Since the arrest and detention of his accomplices the prime suspect has remained at large. Consequently, the Prosecutor leaving no stone unturned have apply that the suspect at large be declared wanted and a warrant of arrest issued for their apprehension. The prayer was granted by the High Court of Kwara State against the fugitives. All hands are on deck to ensure that the suspects are arrested to face the music of their inglorious act. Meanwhile the duo of Esther Sheu and David Kpanaki are still in detention.
