A fake police officer, Yusuf Anas, has been apprehended by the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 17 Akure, Ondo State.
The suspect, who dressed in a police uniform was reported to have bought a mobile phone with a fake bank transfer at a shop in the area.
Disclosing this, the zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Akeem Adeoye, said the suspect was dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) after he was declared a deserter.
The police image maker noted that Anas, who was enlisted into the service as a constable in 2016, served in Sokoto and Lagos States before his dismissal.
Adeoye said, “On the 8th of May 2023, the suspect who was still parading himself as an officer, dressed in uniform went to purchase a Techno-Spark10 handset valued at N102,000 from a phone shop. After collecting the said phone he generated a fake bank transfer to the seller.
“The crime was later reported via a petition to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 17, and the suspect was subsequently arrested through viable intelligence gathering. The suspect, in the course of interrogation, confessed to having committed the crime.”
The spokesperson said the suspect would be charged in court and prosecuted accordingly.
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Similarly, the Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has adjourned the case of a 24-year-old man, Isiaka Yinusa, who allegedly impersonated a member of the Nigeria Police Force, to October 3 for hearing.
Magistrate Olatomiwa Daramola granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N50,000 in the like sum and must swear to an affidavit of means.
During proceedings in court on Wednesday, the police prosecutor, Inspector Elijah Adejare, accused the defendant of parading himself as a policeman.
The charge read, “The defendant, on 10th September, 2023 around 11:35 a.m, at Ifaki Ekiti in Ido Ekiti Magisterial District, did intent to be taken to be a member of the Nigerian Police Force, have in possession police shoulder flap and also conduct himself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace in a public place.”
Adejare, said, “The offences are punishable under Sections 90(b) and 181(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.”
The prosecutor told the court that he would assemble his witnesses on the next adjourned date.
When the charge was read and interpreted to the defendant, he claimed to understand the charge but pleaded not guilty.
Counsel to the defendant, Aduni Olanipekun, prayed the court to admit her client to bail in liberal terms, saying, “I am ready to provide a substantial surety for the defendant.”