How An Alleged Fake Online Businesswoman Operating As “Adija Food Storage Partnership And Supply,” Allegedy Defrauded A USA Based Of Over N20m

Yakubu Busari

A fake online businesswoman operating under the guise of Facebook grains selling and buying has duped one Mara Bethel Cousin, a United States of America-based individual, for the sum of N20, 020,301.95.

The issue which its legal issue being handled by the Plateau State High Court adjourned the suit to the 25th Day of November, 2025, for case management after the agreement for out-of-court settlement collapsed on the 5th Day of November, 2025.

Mara Bethel Cousin, the claimant, purchased grains worth over twenty million two hundred and two thousand and one hundred and ninety five Naira (N20,020,301.95)  in 2024 from one Gladys Adija Markus defendant trading the name and style of Adija food storage partnership and supply.

It was gathered that the defendant has been using a Facebook page to dupe her clients within Nigeria and outside Nigeria in the name of grain business selling and supply.

“It was gathered that the defendant is a resident of Bauchi Ring Road, Behind Cele Bridge of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, sought out of court settlement, but unfortunately, she failed to honour the earlier agreement made in court.

However, on Wednesday, when the matter came up for continuation of hearing, the claimant counsel, O. C Nwogu, told the court that the matter was slated for an out-of-court settlement, which is dated 7th Day of October, 2025, but the defendant failed to honour their agreement.

“Based on that, the claimant has decided to re-amend his statements of claim due to the attitude of the defendant. My Lord, we have our harmless application, which was served on the defense counsel today.

The claimant counsel explained that his client, Amara Bethel Cousin, saw the advertorial online and indicated interest in investing in it, and the defendant (Gladys Adija Markus) accepted the offer and was paid the sum of N20 million for the defendant to buy the grains.

Nwogu stressed that his client has suffered a serious setback over the non-remittance of her original money; rather, the defendant is using tactics to continue to deceive her to get more money, an additional six million Nair,a with the promise that it is for overhead cost and transportation for onward delivery.

In a twist of events, the Adija forged some documents claiming that they didn’t sign any agreement; rather, it was a joint business. However, Mara Bethel insisted on getting the 117 bags of grain earlier paid for (purchased).

Counsel to the defendant acted in disobedience to the court order by rudely interrupting the proceedings during the hearing.

Nwogu added that the defendant stated chatting with the claimant on WhatsApp and sending her messages with respect to the proposed purchase of grains like 100 kg bags of rice, beans, soya beans, acha, guinea corn, maize, and others, and claiming to store them and sell them for her.

The claimant made it abundantly clear to her that she wanted to buy the grains at the end of every month, and she would sell and collect her profit before she paid the sum of N20,203,195 to her.According to him, the defendant agreed to the claimant’s proposal and gave her account number in her business name.

The claimant on the 22nd Day of November,2024, transferred to the defendant the sum of N3,390,000, and on the 4th day of November,2024, she again transferred another N3,368,000 to the defendant’s account.

Barr. Nwogu stated that after the long-awaited period of time, the claimant called the defendant on the phone to over to ascertain the progress of the business, but that proved abortive and that led to the defendant threatening her with verbal abuse and insult.

Nwogu noted that the 117 bags of rice, beans, soya beans, acha, guinea corn, maize, and others were alleged to have been stored at Shendam, Bauchi, and Jos, which turned out to a false and misleading information.