The Nigeria Police Force, through INTERPOL NCB Abuja, has successfully extradited Abubakar Muhammed from the United Arab Emirates in connection with financial crimes.
Muhammed was handed over to Nigerian authorities on Friday following an INTERPOL Red Notice issued by NCB Abuja. This action followed a thorough investigation into allegations of obtaining money under false pretenses, forgery, and money laundering.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in Abuja, it was revealed that the case stemmed from a complaint filed in July 2023 by an Abuja-based international businessman. Muhammed allegedly defrauded the businessman by falsely claiming to be a shipping agent.
“Investigations revealed that Muhammed misrepresented himself to the complainant, securing a contract to facilitate payments and freight of ten high-end vehicles, valued at $307,500.00, from the UAE to Nigeria via designated registered shipping companies.
“After establishing trust, Muhammed fraudulently received the full payment through a third-party account at FCMB belonging to Anas Usaini, a Kano resident, which was subsequently used for money laundering activities in Dubai.
“Upon receipt of the payment, Muhammed provided the complainant with a forged bill of lading for the vehicles and subsequently became uncontactable. He was apprehended in Dubai on April 15, 2025, and has been extradited to Nigeria to face prosecution at the Federal High Court, marking a significant success in the ongoing fight against transnational financial crime,” Adejobi wrote in the statement.
“The Nigeria Police Force, under the steadfast leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, recognises the invaluable assistance of the Dubai Police, INTERPOL NCB Abu Dhabi, and the Nigerian Consulate General in Dubai in facilitating the extradition of Abubakar Aboki Muhammed, and extends its sincere gratitude,” the statement added, saying that the NPF will continue to collaborate with international law enforcement agencies to pursue and bring to justice individuals who seek to exploit and defraud citizens through cross-border criminal activities.