The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday, May 31st, 2012 arraigned one Abubakar Soro before Justice B.O. Quadri of the Federal High Court, Gombe, on a 6 count charge bordering on possession and dealing in counterfeit United States Dollar notes. The offence is punishable under Sections 4 (1) and 5 (1) of the Counterfeit Currency (Special Provision) Act CAP C35 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. The accused pleaded not guilty to all counts which were read and translated to him in Hausa, as he claimed he does not understand English.

Following the plea, counsel to EFCC, Ja’afar Al Qasim asked the court for a date to commence trial. Barrister S.O. Akporigo, counsel to the accused, raised no objection but notified the court of his intention to file a formal bail application in respect of his client.

Justice Quadri adjourned the matter to 21st June 2012 for hearing, while the accused was remanded in prison custody.

Abubakar Soro, 41, was arrested on 14th May 2012, by operatives from the Gombe zonal office of the Commission based on intelligence about a syndicate of fraudsters dealing in fake United States Dollar bills in Bauchi State . Alhaji Soro, who parades himself as a business mogul, was identified as the arrow head of the syndicate.

During investigation, 99 pieces of $100 bills, amounting to $9,900 were found on him. He claimed he bought them from Kano .

He however confessed to other fraudulent activities, including defrauding unsuspecting persons while posing as a spiritualist with powers to make people rich. He plies this trade both in Nigeria and Cameroun . Explaining how the scam works, Alhaji Soro said whenever a prey falls for their bait; they would invite him to a room, where he is tricked into believing that an unseen voice promising to make him wealthy actually belongs to the spirit realm. In the desperation not to miss the opportunity to get rich such victims are asked to bring large sums of money for prayers. The demands are repeated severally until the fraudsters are satisfied they had sufficiently milked the victim; then they disappear.

Abubakar Soro (left) entering prison


Media & Publicity Unit
1st June, 2012.