Wednesday, February 18 2026 -The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with separate cases of alleged obtaining money by false pretence and other financial fraud-related offences involving about N20m.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh,
disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the cases involved
multiple victims across different parts of the state.
Jimoh said the first case was reported on January 14, 2026,
by Faith Olawale of Adekunle Ajasin Road, NEPA Roundabout, Akure.
According to him, Olawale reported that while attending to
customers at her Point of Sale outlet, a man identified as Adewale Olaiya
carried out a transaction of N400,000.
“She stated that immediately the suspect received
confirmation of the transfer into his account, he absconded without paying the
equivalent cash value, leaving behind a Tecno Pop 10 mobile phone,” Jimoh said.
He added that police operatives promptly launched an
investigation, leading to the arrest of the suspect on February 6, 2026, at a
hotel in Akure.
The police spokesman said further investigation uncovered
additional complaints against the suspect, including allegations by a hotel
owner that Olaiya fraudulently obtained drinks worth N2,137,600 without
payment.
He added that a money changer also alleged that the suspect
collected N11,610,000 on the promise of repaying it within two days but failed
to do so.
Jimoh further disclosed that a commercial motorcyclist
reported that the suspect owed him N16,000, while a salesgirl at a hotel in the
Ijapo area of Akure alleged that he was owed N60,000.
“During investigation, the suspect did not deny the
allegations levelled against him,” the police spokesman said.
In a related development, Jimoh disclosed that the command
also arrested three other suspects in connection with another case of obtaining
money by false pretence involving N5m.
He said the case was reported by a woman identified as
Festus Funke, who alleged that her friend requested the use of her bank
account, claiming that an associate, Fasisdi Funminiyi, 29, needed it to
receive funds.
“Trusting her friend, she provided her Polaris Bank account
number. Subsequently, a sum of N5m, allegedly fraudulently obtained from a
victim based in the United States of America, was paid into the account,” Jimoh
said.
He explained that the suspicious transaction prompted a
fraud investigation in Benin City, Edo State, which was later transferred to
Ondo State following intelligence reports.
According to him, the principal suspect, Fasisdi Funminiyi,
who is alleged to be a habitual fraudster, was eventually apprehended in the
Oba-Ile area of Akure.
“During interrogation, the suspect admitted to the crime,”
Jimoh said.
He added that all the suspects were currently in police
custody and would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Jimoh advised members of the public—particularly business
owners, hotel operators, money changers and POS operators—to exercise due
diligence in high-value transactions and promptly report suspicious activities
to the police.
“Ondo State will not serve as a haven for criminal elements.
Individuals involved in fraudulent and other criminal activities are advised to
desist, as the state remains resolute and hostile to crime and criminality,” he
warned.
Financial fraud through obtaining money by false pretence
remains a common crime that has left many victims with significant losses
across the country
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