N22bn fraud: Antigua PM orders arrest of Nigerian couple, Ajetunmobis

The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne has ordered the arrest of the Nigerian couple, Bamise and Elizabeth Ajetunmobi, who fled Nigeria after duping investors of over N22 billion.

The Antigua Observer reported that Mr Browne spoke in response to claims that the Nigerian couple had obtained Antigua and Barbuda citizenship under the CIP programme.

The prime minister stated that while he is yet to verify the report, he promise that the alleged fraudsters will be captured once they gain access into the country.

Mr. Browne said; “I have already put systems in place to ensure that if he is not here yet, they could capture him on his way here because Antigua and Barbuda is not going to be a refuge for scamps.”

Reacting to the report that the couple acquired passports and citizenship under the CIP programme, Mr. Browne reiterated that the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) is not meant to attract criminals saying “our CIP programme is designed to attract and to incentivise investments, not to be a safe haven for crooks.

“This government will continue to do all in its power to ensure that those who violate and then seek refuge here are repatriated from whence they came. It’s just a matter of time. Some of them may get temporary refuge here but we have no doubt that ultimately, they will be repatriated.”

The Street Journal had reported that the Ajetunmobis had obtained citizenship of the Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda.

The passports of the couple and their children surfaced online hours after reports emerged that they had fled Nigeria, leaving their customer base of 90,000 investors stranded.

The couple planned their disappearance months in advance to avoid the suspicion of investors.

Data entries on their passports showed that the husband and one of their child procured their passports on April 29, 2021, while Mrs Ajetunmobi procured hers on May 4, 2021.

The Ajetunmobis led a micro-lending business called Imagine Global, offering 22 per cent interest on loans and 10 per cent returns to investors. The news of the fraudulent scheme broke when multiple victims took to social media, revealing the amounts invested.