BY CECILIA OGEZI
The police have arrested the Director of Finance, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN)Ishaku Garga, in connection with the ongoing case where unsuspecting Nigerians were defrauded of over N4.6 billion. The arrest follows a petition by the Almushahid Initiative for Transparency and Accountability (AITA), seeking police intervention in the fraudulent scheme tied to the MHWUN.
The suspect, during questioning, admitted to receiving funds from the complainant, Ambassador Aminu Majidadi, and several others. Garga’s vehicle has also been confiscated as part of the investigation.
The case came to light after Sunday Liberty, AITA’s legal representative, petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, accusing Garga and other suspects, including Alhaji Ya’u Umar, Alhaji Bala Suleiman Jos, and Richard Gbawuan, of orchestrating the scam. The suspects allegedly deceived over 150 Nigerians by soliciting advanced payment guarantees under the pretense of contracts facilitated by MHWUN.
It was disclosed that Garga, a staff of the local government in Jos had enrolled himself on secondment to medical and health union workers.
Further details reveal that the fraudsters, posing as officials from the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), lured victims into investing millions of naira with promises of substantial returns. However, after securing the funds, they became evasive, leaving the victims with nothing.
Liberty’s petition highlights the threats and attacks faced by Majidadi, who narrowly escaped a life-threatening encounter. The police are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the criminal conspiracy, fraud, and threats against Majidadi and other victims. AITA has also issued a public warning, urging individuals to steer clear of the accused.
The former governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has confirmed that the accused are impostors, further validating the seriousness of the allegations against them.
