Fake EFCC Officers Sentenced to 46 Years in Prison for Fraud and Impersonation

In a landmark ruling, the Special Offenses Court in Ikeja, Lagos State, has sentenced Ugwu Chijioke and Ibrahim Adekunle to 46 years in prison for impersonating members of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and executing a fraudulent court order.

The judgment, handed down by Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe, marks a significant victory in the fight against corruption and impersonation crimes in Nigeria.

The EFCC revealed the sentencing in a statement posted on its official Facebook page. The two men were apprehended in May 2021 at New Horizon Estate in Lekki, Lagos, after the EFCC received credible intelligence about their illicit activities. During the arrest, authorities seized several incriminating items, including EFCC jackets, a fake court order from Mushin Magistrate Court, and counterfeit EFCC identity cards.

Following their arrest, Chijioke and Adekunle were arraigned on October 12, 2021, on five amended counts, including impersonation, attempted property fraud, possession of false documents, and unlawful use of the EFCC uniform. The court proceedings revealed that on May 12, 2021, the accused attempted to defraud Oriyomi Johnson by falsely claiming that the Chief Magistrate Court in Lagos had issued an order to seize Johnson’s property at New Horizon Estate.

The prosecution, led by Abdulhamid Tukur, presented the facts of the case, leading to guilty pleas from both defendants. Despite their pleas for leniency, Justice Abike-Fadipe sentenced each of them to seven years in prison for counts one through three, one year for count four, and eight months for count five, with the sentences to run concurrently.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of the EFCC to curb fraud and impersonation. It also underscores the judiciary’s commitment to delivering justice and deterring criminal activities that undermine public trust in law enforcement agencies.

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In a related development, the Nasarawa State Police Command recently arrested three individuals posing as EFCC officials in the Nasarawa Local Government Area. The suspects were involved in an attack near the Federal Polytechnic, where they robbed residents and kidnapped Adudu Kingsley, a National Diploma student. The police successfully apprehended the suspects and rescued the victim following an intensive investigation.

These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the prevalence of fraud and impersonation crimes in Nigeria, prompting law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant and proactive in their efforts to protect the public and uphold the rule of law.