A retired colonel, Bassey Jackson-Umoh, was on Thursday paraded by the Cross River State Police command for allegedly stealing a 2008 model of Toyota Highlander belonging to a member of the Cross River House of Assembly, Mr. Steven Okpupken
Briefing Punch Metro on the development at the command headquarters in Calabar, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. John Eluu, said the suspect was arrested with the vehicle in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State following complaints from a car dealer.
He said the retired colonel, who allegedly posed as Maj.-Gen Peter Williams, attached to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, had issued a dud cheque to the car dealer and left an old Toyota Camry car in the dealer’s custody.
But the suspect while being paraded boasted that he would deal with all those connected with his travail when he regained his freedom.
“At the end of the day, the truth will come out and I will deal with all those connected with this and everybody connected will pay for it,” he boasted.
However, the PPRO maintained that the blue Toyota Highlander with number plate, Cross River BKS 214 AA, was received fraudulently.
He said, “On October 5, 2015, one Mr. Steven Okpukpen, a member of the state House of Assembly, came to the command with a written petition that he gave out his 2008 Toyota Highlander for sale. He gave the light blue vehicle to the owner of Micah Motors to be placed for sale at the cost of N3m.
“He stated that to his surprise, the manager of Micah Motors informed him that one retired Maj. Gen. Peter Williams came to his car shop and indicated interest to buy the Highlander and another Honda Accord car for N7.5m.
“In his petition, he also stated that the said retired colonel, who introduced himself as Maj. Gen. Peter Williams, had on October 3, issued a post-dated cheque to be cashed on October 5, by the Managing Director of Micah Motors. But on presentation of the cheque to the bank, it was dishonoured by the bank for insufficient funds.”
The PPRO said upon receipt of the information, a team of detective from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in the state trailed the suspect to Uyo where he was arrested.
He added, “During investigation, the suspect confessed to the police that his real name was Col. Bassey Jackson-Umoh (retd). He said that Maj. Gen. Peter Williams was his fake business name which he used in duping members of the public.
“He equally confessed that he was fully aware that there was no money in the said bank account. He confessed that since his Toyota Camry car was bad and he needed a new car and had no money to buy a new one, he had to convince the car dealer that there was money in the said bank account. He did this dirty deal so as to allow him take possession of the Toyota Highlander and the Honda car.”
While noting that investigation was still ongoing, Eluu advised members of the public to be wary of fraudsters. For more scintillating and juicy stories, follow the official Naijapals accounts On Twitter - https://twitter.com/Naijapals and Facebook - www.facebook.com/naijapals
I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist
Posted: at 6-11-2015 06:55 AM (9 years ago) | Addicted Hero
9ja get all this tactic to steal for dnt get any to develop this country. 419 everyday na we knw that pass. And for the car dealer you should be carefu becz if no be police ni una don lose two car be that.
Posted: at 6-11-2015 07:15 AM (9 years ago) | Hero
Can u imagine, a retire colonel in d military who must have receive hugh amount og money as gratuity and he is collect reasonable amountof money as pensioner is a thief??? Either he is cursed or he is sick mentally. He shld be investigated properly.
Posted: at 6-11-2015 07:24 AM (9 years ago) | Addicted Hero
This is absolutely rubbish, how can a car dealer be so foolish to collect a cheque of about 7.5 m from somebody for two cars? And you allow the person to go away with the car when you have not gone to cash your money first.
Posted: at 6-11-2015 08:31 AM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
No matter who you be..... No be for naija? You no go carry cars comot. The story no well sound well for ears at all, make dem investigate the matter well, that car dealer sef na thief
Posted: at 6-11-2015 08:35 AM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
sugarwealth at 6-11-2015 06:00 PM (9 years ago) (f)
The man wan use uniform to do 419. He must be a big disgrace to the army. He has been arrested for fraud and he is still issuing threats? What a riff raff
Posted: at 6-11-2015 06:00 PM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
sugarwealth at 6-11-2015 06:04 PM (9 years ago) (f)
His camry was bad, he needed another car so he fraudulently wanted to obtain 2 cars, not even 1 car... And he decided to drop his scrap camry with the car dealer... Hahahaha, they should investigate this man very well, he has been doing this scam for a long time..
Posted: at 6-11-2015 06:04 PM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
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