Sources : Times of India

Date of Publishing:08/07/2010

Location:Ahmedabad

Surat: A Nigerian national flying down to Surat from Delhi for just a 30-minute stopover on Tuesday evening and carrying a large amount of cash on him has made police in the Diamond City extremely suspicious. On questioning Josiah Nwilee, 36, officials found that not only was he carrying Rs 3.14 lakh cash on him, his visa had expired in April. He was arrested on Wednesday morning and sent to remand till Friday.

Nwilee came to Surat on the Indian Airlines flight from Delhi at 7.50 pm and tried to take the same flight back at 8.30 pm. But he missed it as the airline’s ticket counter was closed. The airline and police officials became suspicious when he was not able to explain why he had come to Surat for such a short span.

Although Nwilee later told the police he came to Surat to buy precious stones, officials have their doubts. Surat has been favourite hunting ground of Nigerians for long. In February 2008, a Nigerian was arrested for operating an online financial fraud. In June, another two were arrested for duping a businessman in the infamous 'Black Dollar' scam. Besides, in 2008, an Equatorial Guinea resident was arrested for carrying blood diamonds.

Nwilee claims he was into handicrafts business. "He claims he contacted a Surti person on the net to buy precious stones. The person promised to pick him up from the airport. When he reached the city Nwilee tried calling his contact but the phone was switched off. He claims he wanted to return immediately," said PSI A T Chauhan at Umra police station.

He was apparently carrying the money as payment for the precious stones. Police, however, failed to explain why the contact person in Surat had not been traced. "His phone is not charged so we could not trace the contact," said Chauhan. The phone was not charged even 24 hours after the arrest.

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