Nigeria Police Secure Landmark Conviction in $1 Million International Oil Fraud Case
-IGP Egbetokun applauds officers for professionalism and diligence
In a significant victory for Nigeria’s fight against financial crimes, the Nigeria Police Force has secured the conviction of one Mr. David Udensik, alias Dr. Jacob Bello, over a transnational oil fraud amounting to more than $1 million.
The case, which originated from a petition by a U.S.-based energy firm, exposed a sophisticated criminal network that defrauded the company under the guise of facilitating legitimate crude oil deals in Nigeria.
Investigations by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force- National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) revealed that the suspect forged documents purportedly issued by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other regulatory agencies to deceive his victims.
Forensic analysis confirmed that all seals and documents used were counterfeit, while proceeds from the crime were traced to bank accounts linked to Udensik and his accomplices.
Delivering judgment on 22 October 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja found Udensik guilty of forgery, obtaining by false pretence, and money laundering.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of properties worth several hundreds of millions of naira to aid restitution to the defrauded company.
Commending the officers behind the successful investigation and prosecution, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, hailed their professionalism and unwavering commitment to justice.
He reiterated the Force’s determination to safeguard Nigeria’s corporate image and ensure that cyber-enabled financial crimes are met with decisive legal consequences.
Follow the Savinews Africa channel on WhatsApp: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VawgaEL5vKA9Y5XTFg0n]
