Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Justice A.I. Akobi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Kubwa, Abuja, has adjourned until June 15, 2026, for judgment in the case of a man accused of impersonating an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and using fake uniforms to extort money from unsuspecting members of the public. The defendant, Salifu Olije Mustapha, had earlier pleaded guilty to a four‑count charge of criminal impersonation and misrepresentation when he was arraigned on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
At Monday’s proceeding, June 1, 2026, the prosecution presented its first witness, Stanley Ujilibo, an investigator with the EFCC. The witness told the court that the Commission received intelligence that the defendant, along with two others—identified as Haruna Mamuda Adamu and Abubakar Umar Hamisu, who are currently under arrest and investigation by a security agency—had on several occasions kitted themselves with fake EFCC operational uniforms and set out in the defendant’s Toyota Corolla, registration number KTU‑399‑GT, to extort money from unsuspecting youths around Sherif Plaza in Wuse 2, Abuja.
The witness further disclosed that the defendant’s share of the proceeds from their criminal activities was usually paid into his Moniepoint Microfinance Bank account. The EFCC investigation team had to write to Moniepoint to obtain the defendant’s bank statement, account opening package and certificate of identification. Documents, including video evidence recorded by eyewitnesses during one of the gang’s unlawful activities, were tendered by prosecution counsel, R.U. Adagba, and were admitted by the court as Exhibits A to D.
On his part, counsel to the defendant, John Ainetor, prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable him to review the evidence and cross‑examine the witness. Justice Akobi granted the request and adjourned the matter until June 15, 2026, for continuation of cross‑examination and sentencing.
The defendant had initially pleaded guilty upon arraignment. The EFCC is prosecuting him on a four‑count charge bordering on criminal impersonation, an offence that carries severe penalties under Nigerian law. The case has attracted attention due to the brazen nature of the scheme, which involved the use of fake EFCC uniforms to intimidate and extort citizens. The commission has repeatedly warned the public to be vigilant and to report any persons posing as anti‑graft officials.
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