A Dutse Magistrates’ Court in Abuja has discharged an unemployed woman charged with fake dollar exchange. Queen Doris, who lives in Kubwa, was discharged on Thursday. The Senior Magistrate, Ibrahim Alkali, struck out the case after the complainant withdrew it. Doris had pleaded not guilty to the charge of cheating under Section 312 of the Penal Code Law.
Currency fraud cases are common in Nigeria. The dollar trades at premium rates. Buyers seeking cheap dollars are vulnerable. Fraudsters exploit that demand. In 2023, the police arrested a syndicate in Lagos for printing fake dollars. In 2024, the EFCC arraigned a bureau de change operator in Kano for similar offences. Most cases collapse at the prosecution stage. Complainants withdraw. Evidence is thin. The pattern reflects weak investigative capacity and the informal nature of currency exchange.
The prosecuting counsel, Julianna Atinko, told the court that the complainant, Jamilu Ibrahim, reported the matter at Kubwa Divisional Police Station on 30 August 2025. Ibrahim alleged that Doris deceived him into giving her ₦135,000. She had promised to exchange the money for a 100-dollar note. He later discovered the note was fake. He reported to the police. The case proceeded. On Thursday, the complainant decided to discontinue. The court discharged the defendant. It struck out the case.
The court did not rule on the merits. The withdrawal ends the prosecution. The complainant may have settled with the defendant. He may have lost interest. The police did not object. The case is closed.
This outcome is typical. Fake currency cases rarely produce convictions. The complainant bears the loss. The defendant walks free. The court processes the paperwork. The cycle continues.
Winners: Doris, who was discharged. The complainant, if he recovered his money privately. The court, which cleared its docket. Losers: The complainant, who lost ₦135,000 unless settled. The police, whose investigation ended without a verdict. The justice system, which produced no determination. Buyers who will fall for the same scam.
Bottom Line: A fake dollar case ended in discharge. The complainant withdrew. The defendant walked. The court did not rule. Nigeria’s currency fraud cases rarely end in conviction. Until investigation improves, the scam will continue.