A 28-year-old woman, Juliana Friday, was arraigned by the Lagos Police on Friday at an Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court over alleged impersonation.
Juliana, whose address was not disclosed, faces 34 counts of charges related to obtaining money by false pretence and impersonation, to which she pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Insp. John Iberedem stated that the offences occurred between November 2023 and February 2024 at Bonny Camp, Lagos.
According to Iberedem, Juliana and her accomplices, still at large, allegedly impersonated the Nigeria Police Force, posing as police inspectors from the Lagos State Police Commissioner’s Office.
“The defendant and others at large obtained N600,000 and N850,000 from Damola Bello and Franklin Obi respectively, under the guise of securing police jobs. They also took N850,000 from Musa Omobolala and N600,000 from Wasiu Bello with the same false promise,” Iberedem said.
He further stated, “Juliana obtained N600,000 from Tina Danladi for a civil defence job and N650,000 from Blessing Danladi for a police job. She defrauded Zainab Oyebola of N800,000, Munir Lawal of N900,000, and Kadija Hassan of N550,000 for similar promises.
“Alli Lawal, Akinwumi Alarope, Aisha Shonde, and Damilola Alli were defrauded of N600,000, N700,000, N500,000, and another N500,000 respectively for police and military jobs. Bilhatu Adamu, Carina Fata, Elizabeth Danladi, and Aloaye were defrauded of N40,000, N20,000, N20,000, and N670,000 respectively for police and civil defence jobs.”
Iberedem detailed more victims, stating, “Cpl Theresa Bello was defrauded of N1.3 million for a police job. Yakubu Garba, Abubakar Abubakar, Gabriel Kutiju, and Solomon Angelo paid N850,000, N850,000, N950,000, and N700,000 respectively. Additionally, Garba Muntari, Faith John, Miracle Sani, Adamu Yohana, and Mercy Hassan were defrauded of N700,000, N450,000, N450,000, N400,000, and N250,000 respectively for police jobs.”
Juliana also allegedly defrauded Joseph Rahap of N370,000, Jimmia Bako of N2.5 million, Mummy Lucky of N750,000, Murna Thomas of N120,000, and Roseline Phillip of N35,000.
The offences contravene Sections 77(a), 314(1), and 412 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Section 77(a) carries a three-year jail term for impersonating members of the Armed Forces or police.
Magistrate E. Kubeinje granted Juliana bail in the sum of N4 million with two sureties in like sum. She ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed with proof of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and verifiable addresses.
The case was adjourned until Aug. 7 for a hearing.
