EFCC investigates suspect arrested with fake $212,200 in Kano

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has commenced investigation into a suspect arrested in Kano with counterfeit United States currency totalling $212,200.

Usaini Ibrahim was arrested on 3 September by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) along Maiduguri Road in Kano, Kanoafter State, North-west Nigeria, after the counterfeit currency was discovered, according to a statement by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Thursday.

The statement added that the NDLEA subsequently handed Mr Ibrahim and the counterfeit currency over to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.

It said the formal handover took place at the EFCC’s Kano Zonal Directorate, where the Acting Zonal Director, Friday Ebelo, received the suspect and the exhibits.

A representative of the NDLEA, Yahaya Labaran, a deputy superintendent of narcotics, handed over the case and expressed appreciation for the continued strategic collaboration between the two agencies in sanitising Nigeria’s financial system.

Mr Ebelo acknowledged the handover and reiterated the EFCC’s commitment to cleansing the financial ecosystem of counterfeit currencies and fraudulent schemes.

According to EFCC, Mr Ebelo specifically warned members of the public to be wary of “money doubling” scams, which often involve counterfeit notes to defraud unsuspecting victims.

“Such fake currencies coming into the economy do not paint a good picture of us,” Mr Ebelo explained.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and avoid individuals offering to “double” money or engage in other financial crimes through questionable means.

EFCC said Mr Ibrahim remains in EFCC custody and will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations.

Similar cases in Kano, Kaduna

The latest arrest comes amid several reported cases involving counterfeit US dollars in Kano and neighbouring Kaduna.

In May 2025, NDLEA operatives intercepted Abubakar Hussaini and Sahabi Adamu along Maiduguri Road in Wudil, Kano State, with suspected counterfeit $899,800. The suspects and the exhibits were subsequently handed over to the EFCC for investigation.

The EFCC said the men were travelling to Kila Village in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State, where they were expected to meet a person who would introduce them to a self-described spiritualist.

The spiritualist allegedly claimed he could transform the counterfeit dollars into genuine currency through ritual prayers.

In March this year, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) operatives also arrested Abbas Garkuwa at Kwankwasiya City, Zaria Road, in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, over alleged production of counterfeit US dollars and obtaining money by false pretence.

The NSCDC said it recovered fake $600,000 from Mr Garkuwa, estimated at almost N1 billion. The agency also alleged that he had previously given a victim $6,200 in counterfeit dollars after collecting N9 million from the person.

Similar cases have also been reported in neighbouring Kaduna.

In July, police arrested Aisha Barau while she was allegedly attempting to exchange suspected counterfeit US dollars for naira.

The police said subsequent investigations led to the arrest of Abdullahi Muhammad and Danbala Jibrin, among others, and the recovery of 170 counterfeit US dollar notes.