Businessman remanded in Kirikiri over alleged ₦360 million fraud after claiming he was in China while hiding in Ibadan

A businessman identified as Blessing Anuwa has reportedly been remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre over an alleged ₦360 million fraud involving friends and associates.

The development was disclosed by media personality Shola, who claimed he personally lost ₦180 million in a technology investment deal in 2024 after investing in a project allegedly linked to the developer.

Recounting his experience in a post on X, Shola said an acquaintance introduced him to a businessman seeking investment in an existing technology project.

Following several meetings, which included his lawyer and presentations about the project’s prospects, he agreed to invest ₦180 million in exchange for attractive returns.

However, problems reportedly began when the investment became due for repayment, as the businessman allegedly continued requesting additional funds to resolve issues surrounding the project.

Shola said he later discovered that the businessman he had been dealing with was not the actual developer but had a childhood friend, identified as Blessing Anuwa, handling the project. He also learnt that Anuwa had reportedly invested more than ₦120 million in the venture before his own involvement.

According to him, he remained patient despite repeated excuses from December 2024 until April 2026, when he eventually reported the matter to the police.

He claimed that police investigations established that the funds had been transferred to Anuwa.

Shola further alleged that while the developer had reportedly told his childhood friend that he was in China, investigations eventually traced him to Ibadan, where he had relocated from Lagos and was allegedly living lavishly with his wife.

He added that Anuwa and his family subsequently pleaded for forgiveness as court proceedings commenced.

Although the suspect was reportedly granted bail in July, Shola said he remained at Kirikiri Prison after failing to meet the bail conditions.

The next court hearing has reportedly been scheduled for January 2027.

Shola further disclosed that the money had already been spent, adding that he would rather allow the suspect to face the legal consequences of his actions than continue waiting in the hope of recovering his investment.

The allegations were made by Shola, and the suspect’s response was not included in his account.

Check out post below …

So, in 2024, I was scammed after I invested 180M into a tech idea. Someone I know introduced me to a guy, we met, he looked decent, my lawyer was there. The idea made sense to me, the return was tempting too, and he showed me some things which made me believe in the idea more. Also, it was not an idea he’s starting newly, so it’s something I’m coming in to join.

Gave him the money. Only for me to later start hearing stories when it was time to pay back and he kept on coming back requesting for more money to fix the mess on ground.

Later on, I realized he wasn’t even the developer of the so called project. He had a developer, a childhood friend, and all money for this project was sent to him. I also got to know this same guy who I met had invested over 120M into the same project before meeting me.

So, the developer guy, who goes by the name Blessing built a scheme to scam his childhood friend, emptied his bank account, sold him lies and pushed him into a lot of debts, he changed environment too, so the guy I met couldn’t really see how he was living his life.

I tried to be patient about it just because I understand the law, I didn’t even go after them til this year, I just kept on hearing stories since December 2024 til April this year. So, early April, I reported to the police. They started working, they went after the guy who I met, the one I had a deal with. He explained himself, they investigated him and saw he sent all money to the childhood friend as claimed. But the childhood friend told him he was in china since 2025, meanwhile he had to move from Lagos to Ibadan just so he isn’t seen while he was living lavish there with his wife.

I told the police he’s in china, what do we do? One of them said he believes he’s in Nigeria, so I was like let’s try then.

At the end, they tracked him and saw he was in Ibadan. They went after him.

He was picked, interrogated, investigated and found guilty.

He scammed his friend, a total of over 360M Naira which my money in it was 180M, unfortunately.

So, he and his family started begging. Court process started even though it’s been slow.

He’s been granted bail since July, but he’s been unable to meet his bail conditions, reason he was remanded in Kirikiri. Next court day, January next year.

So, he wasn’t arrested for borrowing money, but for theft/scam.

Also, he’s spent all the money, he’s now empty. So, instead of me giving myself false hope that he will make 360M and pay back, it’s better he faces the law.

— Shola 👑 (@itsSh0la) November 8, 2026