Subsidy scam: Police uncover fresh evidence against marketers

MEMBERS of the Police Anti-fraud Unit, investigating cases of fuel subsidy scam, have uncovered fresh evidence against a number of marketers, sources close to the unit have confirmed. Informed sources told the Nigerian Tribune on Thursday that when some of the indicted marketers were confronted with the fresh evidence, they kept mum and were unable to offer any defence.
A source close to the investigators told the Nigerian Tribune that the police were shocked that one of the indicted marketers who had been offering defences in the media could not say anything when confronted.
“When he was confronted, he was just looking like a mumu. He kept quiet and could not say anything. We have done our job and have decided to leave the things in the hands of the court,” the source said.
 According to the source, some of the latest shreds of evidence border on manipulation of shipping records, which enabled the marketers to swindle Nigeria of billions of naira.
A source said that the Police Special Anti-Fraud Unit has discovered that through falsification of shipping records and manipulation of identity of vessels, some of the marketers scooped billions from the nation’s coffers.
It was also gathered that the investigators had discovered that one of the marketers claimed N10 billion for fuel not supplied.
“That particular marketer made sure his companies made false claims to the tune of over N10 billion. He could not provide any evidence to defend himself. Investigators had found that he and his companies collected subsidy money without proof of existence of the mother vessel, bill of lading and in some instances the mother vessel were not in existence.
 
“That marketer could not offer any explanation when the interrogation team confronted him. It was a messy affair. I believe that the government has a strong case against those indicted,” the source stated.