Ministry Official Arrested For Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one Tariah Otumba Fred, a staff of the Federal Ministry of Environment in Bayelsa State for allegedly being a serial fraudster.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by Wilson Uwujaren, Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, alleging that several incriminating items including fake Identity cards have been recovered from the suspect.

“The suspect is alleged to have been involved in forgery, extortion, obtaining money under false pretence, impersonation and other fraudulent activities,” the statement read.

“Fred is said to head a notorious syndicate who defrauded unsuspecting members of the public and corporate organizations using the office of the Federal Controller of Environment, Yenagoa.

“The suspect is alleged to have opened an account in Sterling Bank using the name, the Controller, Federal Ministry of Environment, Bayelsa State in which he was a signatory alongside one Mr. Education Zghadina who has also been arrested by the Commission.

“Fred’s modus operandi was to give companies in the state demand notice that they should make payment to the Federal Ministry of Environment for environmental impact assessment permit.

“The suspect who also presented himself as pollution coordinator of the ministry, a position that does not exist, employed officers whom he issued identity cards as Revenue Collecting agents for the ministry.

“When a search was conducted in his house, several incriminating items including fake Identity cards of various organizations, stamps of different organizations, letter heads of the National Inland Waterways and Ministry of Environment, and Identity card with his picture as a Navy Captain were recovered.

“The suspects will be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is completed.”

Story by David Oputah