#SaveMayowa Wasn't A Scam, Lagos State Police Clarifies After Investigations

The Lagos State Police command says it has investigated the controversy surrounding the funding and medical treatment of Mayowa Ahmed and has not been able to establish any case of fraud against Ahmed or members of her family.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, said this in a statement on Friday, Punch reports. It would be recalled that the victim’s family, supported by Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimakhu; and Miss Aramide Kasumu, the director of Lifestake Foundation, had launched an online appeal to raise funds for her cancer surgery in an Atlanta-based hospital in the United States.
The campaign was said to have raised over N80m and a separate $100,000 for her but Aimakhu later alleged on social media that the campaign was a scam.

The police spokesperson, however, described the controversy as a mere misunderstanding between the parties involved. The statement read in part,

“On July 28 the Ahmed 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 United States of America
“The inability of both parties to communicate appropriately led to allegation and counter allegation, with the duo of Toyin and Aramide thinking the family have no intention of seeking medical help for Mayowa abroad and might likely divert the fund away from the purpose it’s meant for.
“The command having waded in had ensured that a genuine hospital in South Africa was contacted by the family.”
Badmos said the investigation which was carried out by the Police X Squad revealed that the victim indeed had Ovarian Cancer. She revealed that till date a total N81,278,954.81 had been deposited into Mayowa’s bank account while $100,000 is in the Gofundme internet account.

The police spokesperson said the police had unfrozen the account but would continue to monitor it closely. She said:

“Flight arrangements are already concluded with mini air ambulance and medical certificate duly issued to enable her travel.
“The lien placed on the account has been lifted to enable Mayowa access fund for her medical treatment and for every other expenses to be made.”