By our Reporter
Nigerians at home and in Diaspora have been advised to ensure that their business transactions are always properly documented, so as to avoid “presenting opportunity to fraudsters.”
This advice came from Mr. Henry I. Okeugo, a US-based Nigerian, who allegedly fell victim to alleged “fraudsters” while trying to invest in his home-country.
While fielding questions from journalists in Port Harcourt, Mr. Okeugo said it is unthinkable for Nigerians based at home to continue to take “undue advantage of their countrymen in the Diaspora who are interested in investing at home.”
He expressed regrets over the alleged actions of one Mr. Sylvernus Ijenwa, aka man of God, who he said is currently threatening his investment in Obio/Akpor Rivers State. The investment being two plots of land Okeugo claimed he bought from him years back, which now trespassers have encroached upon.
“Some time in 2013, I bought two plots of land from Mr. Sylvernus Ijenwa situated at Ali-Okemeni Nkpor Rumuolumeni, in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, which agreement was executed by parties, witnessed by his son, Mr Kingsley ijenwa, and Mr Sylvernus Ijenwa’s wife.
“After some years, Mr. Sylvernus Ijenwa trespassed into the said land, broke down part of the fence and resold part of the land to somebody else without my consent and authorization. Presently, some of the building materials I bought and kept in the said land had been stolen,” Okeugo said.
According to him, further transaction later took place wherein Mr. Ijenwa gave him two other plots closer to the former, and in payment agreed to exchange the land for some luxury cars in his (Okeugo) possession.
According to Okeugo, he was at that time in dire need of consequent. Both men agreed and the said cars taken away by Ijenwa.
“In addition, I bought another land from the same Mr Sylvernus Ijenwa closer to the same land at the agreed price of four million Naira, which he collected for four cars for the payment of the said land. The details of the said cars are; (1) Mazda Tribute SUV (2) Two Toyota Camry salons and (3) Nissan Mercury villager, all were sound direct, fairly used cars in good condition.
“The size of the land he sold to me was two plots of land – at N4 million which the cars covered the money. Mr. Sylvernus Ijenwa has refused for 2 years to execute the agreement for sale of the said land till today,” Okeugo said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sylvernus Ijenwa who was said to have been arrested alongside his son, following the petition by the complainant to the Assistant Inspector General AIG zone 16 Headquarters in Bayelsa, is said to have been moved to Bayelsa State for further investigation.
All efforts to reach Ijenwa for his response proved abortive as at the time of filing this report
Information reaching us however indicates that Ijenwa has been granted bail alongside his son. This however could not be confirmed, as efforts to reach the Zone 16 Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO Ikwo Kelvin, also proved abortive.
