By Moji Eniola
Mr Bamairiga Haruna, Forensic Document Examiner with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday said that U.S. traveller’s cheques for $10,000 found in possession of a businessman, Mark Obisesan, were counterfeit.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Haruna testified at the trial of Obisesan and three other businessmen – Olumide McIntosh, Bolaji Bakare and Goodluck Bazunu – before an Ikeja Special Offences Court.
The defendants are facing a 15-count charge of conspiracy and purchase of forged bank notes.
Obisesan was led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Mr Nkereuwem Anana.
The forensic expert said that careful observation of the traveller’s cheques revealed lack of the statutory security features of a cheque.
The witness told the court that the traveller’s cheques were analysed with a handheld magnifier, laser microscope, video comparator 8000 and ultraviolet light.
He said that on completion of the analysis of the cheques, his findings were compiled in a report and forwarded to the Head of Operations of the EFCC for further investigation.
Haruna said that the report was extensive and covered how the counterfeit cheques were produced.
“I personally reached out to the criminal investigation department of an overseas embassy in Abuja,” he said.
At the conclusion of Haruna’s evidence, the EFCC counsel showed him a copy of his report to authenticate.
Following Haruna’s affirmation, the counsel presented the report to the court and it was admitted as an exhibit by Justice Sherifat Solebo.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Mr Y. Galadima, the forensic document examiner said that $10,000 traveller’s cheques in possession of Obisesan were issued by America Express.
He, however, said that $100 genuine traveller’s cheque in his possession was issued by Mastercard.
According to him, an individual who does not handle a traveller’s cheque frequently may not be able to identify it.
NAN reports that during their re-arraignment on Feb. 8, Obisesan plead not guilty to 10 counts bordering on purchase of forged bank notes.
He jointly pleaded not guilty with McIntosh, Bakare and Bazunu to a charge of conspiracy.
The alleged offences violate Sections 370 and 410 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
The judge adjourned the case until May 30 for continuation of trial. (NAN).
