Two men, Ugwu Chijioke and Ibrahim Adekunle, have been sentenced to 46 years in prison for impersonating EFCC operatives and executing a fake court order. They were arrested in May 2021 at New Horizon Estate, Lekki, Lagos, after the EFCC received credible intelligence.
At the time of their arrest, they were caught in the act of carrying out an illegal operation. Fake EFCC identity cards, jackets, and a court order allegedly from Mushin Magistrate Court were recovered from them.
They were arraigned on October 12, 2021, by the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC on a five-count charge, including impersonation, attempted property fraud, possession of false documents, and unlawful wear of the EFCC uniform.
The suspects pleaded guilty to the charges before Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja. After their guilty pleas, the prosecution counsel presented a review of the case facts, demonstrating their guilt.
The judge found them guilty on all five counts and sentenced them to seven years on counts one to three, one year on count four, and eight months on count five. The sentences are to run concurrently.
This verdict serves as a warning to individuals who engage in fraudulent activities and impersonate law enforcement officials. The EFCC continues to combat financial crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.
