How fake EFCC officers exposed themselves in Lagos court

LAGOS, Nigeria – There was comedy of the highest order at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, today when two grown up men who projected themselves as officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) made a caricature of themselves and became objects of unbridled ridicule for lack of knowledge of the institution they opted to impersonate.  

The two grown ups,  Ugwu Pascal Chijioke and Ibrahim Sadiq Adekunle has submitted letters to the Chief Registrars of Ikeja High Court, purporting to be officials of the EFCC. But it was their letter that gave them out and landed them into trouble.

Ademola Adekehin, Assistant Chief Register at the Ikeja High Court, Lagos stated while been lead in examination in chief by Bilikisu Buhari (Mrs)  said he came across the names of the defendant’s in a letter addressed to the Chief Register dated 14th May 2021from the EFCC”

He mentioned that the letter in question was sent to them for confirmation if the letter emanated from the court “we checked our records and didn’t find the document and didn’t come from court”

Asked by the prosecutor to shed more light on the above statement, Mr Ademola went further to say “On the face of the document the heading is wrong. The suit number is that of Federal High Court not Magistrate nor High Court

” The name of the commissioner of Oath is unknown. 5th May 2021 fell on the date we were on strike. The cashier stamp is not the current stamp. No seal on the document and also no court is in Mushin which was the court on the face letter “

The defendants having been arraigned on five count amended information dated 4th October 2021 bothering on Attempt to obtain property by false pretence, possession of document containing false pretence and  impersonating public officers contrary to s 5 (1), 6, 8 (b) and punishable under s1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and s 78 and 79 (1)(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011

According to the charge sheet “Ugwu Pascal Chijioke and Ibrahim Sadiq Adekunle on about the 12th day of May 2021 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the honorable court falsely represented yourselves as officers of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission and assumed to do the official act of the commission in a property known as G2, Flat 14, New Horizon Estate, Lekki, Lagos”

“Ugwu Pascal Chijioke and Ibrahim Sadiq Adekunle on about the 12th day of May 2021 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the honorable court by false pretence and intent to defraud attempted to obtain property from one Oriyomi Johnson under the pretence that the ” Chief Magistrate Court, Lagos State Judiciary Mushin Lagos” issued an order to the effect that the property located at new Horizon Estate, Ikate, Lekki, Lagos be seized and the said apartment sealed pending the arrival of the said Oriyomi Johnson which representation you know to be false”.

Defence counsel to both defendants, Tosin Soiga brought to the attention of the court a bail application dated 30th September 2021 which was not opposed by prosecuting

The court only granting the 1st defendant bail while second defendant bail would heard on the next adjourned date due to lack of proper documentation from his counsel.

In granting the first defendant bail, Justice Abike Fadipe stated that “1 million in bail sum and two surty one which must be a blood relative. Also a resident in Lagos State and must present ID of resident in Lagos State.

 Furthermore , must be gainfully employed and a 3 years tax certificate. Must be a titled land holder in Lagos State. Justice Fadipe also remanded the defendant to the correctional facility and adjourned the matter to 15th October 2021 for cross examination of PW1.