ABAKALIKI — EBONYI State Police Command, yesterday, said it had arrested one Stephen Okolie Chukwu who hails from Umuegbe Amaifeke in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State with fake N1 million notes.

The command’s spokesperson, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Sylvester Igbo, who made the disclosure in his office said the suspect was arrested in Abakaliki on July 4, 2013 when he came to Alhaji Lawal Ibrahim Bureau de Change to convert N1 million denominations into US dollars.

Igbo said on close examination of the currency notes by Alhaji Ibrahim, who suspected the notes were fake, he lured the suspect to a bank (name withheld) where the money was confirmed to be fake by the bank.

He said the suspect had been assisting the police to trace the import of fake naira notes into the state capital.

In an interview, the suspect who confessed to the crime, told newsmen that he bought the N1 million notes from one Ugoo who is based in Oguta, Imo State for N150,000.

Meanwhile, the state Police Command, yesterday, gave motorists in the state 13 days ultimatum to renew their vehicle particulars, change all fake number plates or be arrested.

It said: “The command has observed with dismay the indiscriminate use of vehicles/motorcycles without number plates and fake number plates as well as improvised number plates.

“It is pertinent to note that the prevalence of such vehicles/motorcycles in the state pose security threat as they could be used for heinous and violent crimes. Only original number plates and genuine vehicle particulars from relevant authorities will be allowed unfettered movement in the state.

“Therefore, with effect from July 21, 2013, motorists with fake number plates and expired particulars will be arrested as owners of vehicles impounded will be prosecuted.”

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