I Bought Fake Naira Notes From Alaba Market

A DVD seller is now in police custody at Ilasan
Division, Lekki, Eti-Osa , southwest Nigeria, over
unlawful possession of N15,000 fake N1000 notes.
Chinedu Oneli, 37, after his arrest allegedly
confessed to the police that he buys fake naira
notes at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos,
and surreptitiously exchanges same for original
notes through bus conductors and traders.
According to the police, nemesis caught up with the
suspect, who claimed to be from Imo State,
southeast Nigeria, when he went to buy a tin of
milk with one of the fake N1,000 note at a shop
owned by a woman at Jakande Estate, First Gate ,
Lekki, Lagos.
The trader, it was gathered, discovered that the
N1,000 note the suspect brought out to pay for the
tin of milk was fake.
And while pretending to be looking for change for
Oneli, she allegedly informed some youths in the
area about the development.
The youths were said to have confronted the
suspect but the suspect simply took to his heels.
He was pursued and caught by the youths.
During a search, N15,000 fake N1,000 notes were
found in his possession and the youth dragged him
to the nearest police station.
During interrogation at the station, the suspect
allegedly confessed to that he bought the fake
currency notes at Alaba Market, Ojo, Lagos.
Oneli allegedly told the police: " I am a DVD
cassette seller at Alaba International Market, Ojo,
Lagos and I also buy fake N1,000 notes from Zida
Ozegba, a trader at Alaba market. I have been
doing the business since 2010. Zida normally sells
N8,000 fake notes for original N1,000 and N16, 000
fake notes for original N2,000.
" I exchange the fake notes for original naira
through bus conductors and traders. I will board
vehicles and give the conductors N1000 fake notes
for a journey of N100 and they will give me N900
change. Before I move around Lagos the whole day,
I must have finished spending the whole fake notes
in my possession and make enough profit."
After investigation, the suspect was charged before
a Tinubu Magistrate's court on a one count charge
of possession of fake currency notes.
The offence, the prosecutor, Sgt. Ighodalo Daniel
said, contravened section 363g of the criminal laws
of Lagos state, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and
Magistrate Mrs. Pinhero admitted him on bail in the
sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the matter till 17 October, 2013 for
mention. The defendant was taken to Ikoyi Prisons
pending when he will fulfill the bail conditions.