•Says N81.2m, $100,000 found in campaign bank accounts •Clear Toyin Aimakhu, others •Mayowa now to be treated in South-Africa
Police have released the investigative report into the alleged scam trailing a popular online campaign effort to save a cancer patient, Shukura Mayowa Ahmed.
In a statement released by the Lagos State command, a huge amount of money donated by Nigerians, who responded to the online campaign, was disclosed.
The statement, signed by the Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmus read: “Report of Investigation on Alleged ‘Save Mayowa Fund’ Scam.
“On the 28th day of July 2016, the command received a report that some huge amount of money donated by public spirited people to financially support ailing Shukura Mayowa Ahmed was a scam.
“At the receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Fatai Owoseni, directed a full scale investigation into the matter.
“The command, through its ‘X SQUAD’ department, carried out an extensive investigation and the following were revealed:
“That Miss Shukura Mayowa Ahmed, a resident of Ebute Metta area of Lagos, was critically ill and diagnosed of ovarian cancer.
“That Miss Aramide Kasumu, the director of Lifestake Foundation, heard about the illness and decided to use her foundation to care for Mayowa, by checking her into Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Yaba, Lagos, on the 25th day of July, with an initial deposit of N500,000 made by Mayowa’s family.
“That Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimakhu, got wind of Mayowa’s illness on the social media, Instagram, and was moved to compassion, having realised Mayowa was one of her fans.
“On the 26th day of July, Toyin Aimakhu visited Mayowa on her sick bed and made a video soliciting financial assistance to support Mayowa.
“That internet donations were done through Gofundme online account.
“That, a total of N81,278,954:81 was tranferred into Mayowa’s bank account, while a total sum of $100,000 is in Gofundme internet account.
“That Ahmed’s family stated, that they had an initial plan of taking Mayowa for treatment in Atlanta Georgia, United States of America (USA) for medical treatment and this plan was communicated to both Aramide Kasumu and Toyin Aimakhu.
“On the 28th of July, the Ahmed’s family wanted to take Mayowa out of the hospital and both Toyin and Aramide demanded to know the destination, this led to crisis between the family and the other party, with both Aramide and Toyin Aimakhu realising Mayowa does not have valid visa to USA.
“The command has intervened to ensure that a genuine hospital in South Africa would be used and Mayowa would be cared for by one Dr Naicker.
“Finally, the command cleared Miss Toyin Aimakhu; Miss Aramide Kasumu; and the Ahmed’s family of fraudulent allegations levelled against them.
“The Lagos State police command appreciates all ‘Good Samaritans’ who donated generously towards the course and thank the members of the public for bearing with us throughout the period of the investigation.”
The command added that “the account was being closely monitored to ensure all fund was channeled towards its original purpose.”