Amal Umar has millions of followers on social media
One of Nigeria’s most popular actresses has been arrested for allegedly trying to bribe a police officer in Kano state.
Police say Amal Umar gave an officer 250,000 naira (£137; $175) to have her impounded car released.
Her lawyer Adama Usman says she denies the charges, saying it was a police officer who first asked for money.
She has appeared in hundreds of movies over the past decade and is also well known in neighbouring countries.
Amal, as she is known by fans of Kano’s film industry, Kannywood, has millions of followers on social media.
According to the police, Amal’s car was seized over a year ago on suspicion it had been purchased using proceeds of fraud allegedly committed by her boyfriend.
“She gave our officer 250,000 [naira] with a promise to bring more money,” Kano police spokesman Bashir Muhammad told the BBC.
Amal Umar: Nigerian film star arrested on bribery charges
19 hours ago
By Mansur Abubakar,
BBC News, Kano
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BBC Amal UmarBBC
Amal Umar has millions of followers on social media
One of Nigeria’s most popular actresses has been arrested for allegedly trying to bribe a police officer in Kano state.
Police say Amal Umar gave an officer 250,000 naira (£137; $175) to have her impounded car released.
Her lawyer Adama Usman says she denies the charges, saying it was a police officer who first asked for money.
She has appeared in hundreds of movies over the past decade and is also well known in neighbouring countries.
Amal, as she is known by fans of Kano’s film industry, Kannywood, has millions of followers on social media.
According to the police, Amal’s car was seized over a year ago on suspicion it had been purchased using proceeds of fraud allegedly committed by her boyfriend.
“She gave our officer 250,000 [naira] with a promise to bring more money,” Kano police spokesman Bashir Muhammad told the BBC.
“But the police are yet to obey court orders four months in by still holding on to her car.
“On this case of attempted bribery they are claiming, we are going to pursue it to the end because she was called to come and collect her car only for things to change,” the lawyer said.
Amal, 24, has been freed on bail.
Police say Amal’s boyfriend Ramadan Inuwa is wanted on charges of obtaining money by false pretences and is still at large.
He has not commented on the accusations.
