6th June, 2012
A 32-year-old man, who had been parading himself as an engineer with Globacom Telecommunications Nigeria Limited to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, has been sent to prison.
The suspect, before his arrest, had defrauded his victims while promising to register them as recharge card dealers.
He was arrested by the police at Adekunle Division Yaba, Lagos, southwest Nigeria and charged before the Ebutte-Metta Magistrate Court 10 on a four-count charge of impersonation and obtaining money under false pretence.
The police alleged in charge suit number J/28/2012 that the accused was arrested following a complaint lodged by one Adetokunbo Adewunmi that the accused in the month of February and March, 2012 tricked her to collect N250,000 to register her as a dealer with Globacom after he introduced himself as an engineer with Globacom Telecommunications.
Adewunmi said the suspect came to her with an identity card as evidence that he was a staff of a telecommunications company, but escaped after getting the amount.
The accused, according to the police, was arrested after two months when he was tricked by the victim who asked him to come and collect N500,000 to register two more people.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed that he had impersonated as a Globacom engineer to defraud members of the public “in order to survive the country’s harsh economy.”
He also allegedly said he actually deceived the victim and collected N250,000 from her.
The offences, the prosecutor, Supol Essien stated, contravened Sections 312, 285 (9) 38 and 327 of the Criminal Code, cap 34, vol. 44, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him and the presiding magistrate, Mrs. M.O. Olajuwon, admitted him on bail in the sum of N160,000 with two sureties in like sum, while the accused must deposit N50,000 with the court Registrar.
The magistrate also directed that one of the sureties must be a teacher, while the other must be working in a reputable company.
She adjourned the case till 26 June, 2012.
The defendant was taken to Ikoyi Prison when he could not meet his bail conditions.