Pretoria, South Africa – A 52-year-old Nigerian man identified as Adeloye Johnson, has been arrested by South African authorities for allegedly using counterfeit currency to pay a bride price.
According to police sources, Johnson allegedly presented R120,000 in lobola (bride price) to the family of his South African fiancée during traditional marriage negotiations. However, the joyous occasion took a dramatic turn when the bride’s parents attempted to deposit the money at a local bank and were informed that the cash was counterfeit.
The incident occurred in Limpopo Province, where local community leaders and police confirmed the arrest. Lobola, a customary practice in many Southern African cultures, involves the groom paying a negotiated sum to the bride’s family as a symbol of gratitude and commitment.
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said that investigations revealed all the banknotes were forged. The counterfeit currency included high-quality fake R200 and R100 notes, which initially went undetected during the traditional ceremony.
“The suspect was arrested on charges related to fraud, possession of counterfeit currency, and potentially violating immigration laws, depending on his residential status,” Mojapelo said.
Sources close to the bride’s family described the incident as deeply embarrassing and emotionally distressing. “This was not just a betrayal of our trust but an insult to our customs. Our daughter was devastated,” a relative told a local news outlet.
Police are currently working with the South African Reserve Bank’s anti-counterfeit unit to trace the origin of the fake money and determine whether the accused is part of a broader syndicate.
Adeloye Johnson is expected to appear in court later this week. Authorities have also warned the public and families involved in lobola negotiations to be cautious and ensure that all transactions involving large sums of cash are properly verified.
The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has not issued an official statement as of the time of this report.
