Operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID annex, Alagbon is currently investigating four suspects for issuing a forged Police character certificate to a victim.
Nigeriacrime.com learned that the suspect were arrested after one of their victim Shonekan Rukayat Mojisola raised alarm after the United Kingdom embassy banned her for 10 years over alleged forgery of Police character certificate.
The suspects who were arrested were paraded on Tuesday by the FCID Public Relations Officer, ASP Mayegun Aminat.
Explaining how they were arrested, Aminat said: ”Upon receiving a complaint from Mrs Shonekan Rukayat Mojisola bothering on falsification of police character certificate, obtaining money under false pretence, impersonation, forgery of signatures and official stamp. FCID Annex operatives attached to X-Squad took swift action which led to the arrest of Osinowo O Obafemi, 35, Sebastine Olamide, 21; Shittu Babatunde, 25 and Bilal Yekeen, 25 years.
“The investigating team searched premises at 267 Igbosere Road, off Obalende Area Lagos Island, Lagos State and uncovered a plethora of fraudulent documents which included fake Police character certificates, seven medical reports issued from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH belonging to several individuals, 65 fake international driving permits,18 international driving license permit forms with different pictures belonging to different persons, one pack of both booklets of the traffic foreign vehicle regulation license among others.
“Further investigation confirmed the suspects’ involvement in the criminal racket involving the issuance of the fake police character certificate that led to the 10-year ban of Mrs Shonekan by the UK. They also admitted to issuing forged documents to several individuals.
“The AIG FCID Annex Lagos, AIG Idowu Owohunwa, for the umpteenth time emphasizes the importance of Nigerians reporting criminal activities and assures that offender will face the full wrath of the law a. He also urged members of the public to seek information from the appropriate authorities”.
One of the suspects, Obafemi, who admitted culpability, said he had been in the cybercafe business for 13 years but that he only started forging certificates in November 2023.
According to Obafemi: “Basically, I operate a cybercafe where typesetting, graphic design, and any other document are done. A police officer approached me, wanting a document redesigned. I unknowingly complied. After realizing the implications, I ceased my involvement when the officer was apprehended, and later I was apprehended by the FCID.
“I edited the documents brought to me. I fully admit to committing this crime. But the rest are not involved. They are just my apprentices who did what I instructed them to do.”