BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
A 36-year-old-man, Adeniyi Emmanuel Adedeji, has been arrested by men of the State Security Service in Osun State over allegations of impersonation and fraudulent activities.
Adedeji was said to have introduced himself as an official of the secret agency to defraud some business operators in the state.
It was gathered that the suspect visited business outlets where he presented himself as an SSS personnel and bought several goods after which he tendered fake alerts as evidence of payment.
The fake security official, who allegedly conspired with others now at large, reportedly duped operators of Point of Sales machines, pharmaceutical and electronic stores in Osogbo, Osun State of cash and articles worth N1, 956, 770, 00.
Adedeji was slammed with five-count-charge bothering on conspiracy, fraud and impersonation before a Chief Magistrate’s Court.
The charge against him read that “Adeniyi Emmanuel Adedeji, aged 36, and others now at large, between January and March 15, 2022 in Osogbo, did conspire at various times to commit felony, to wit, conspiracy to defraud unsuspecting members of the public and particularly business operators.
“Between 17th January and March 15, 2022, in Osogbo, you did with fraudulent intent, falsely present yourself to operators of business outlets as personnel of the State Security Service.
“On or about 17th March, 2022, you did obtain with fraudulent intent, goods worth N85,770,00 from Falfem Pharmacy, Fagbewesa Street, by holding yourself out as a member of SSS and presenting fake debit alert of the said transaction through your mobile phone number 08131859787.
“You (Adedeji), on February 7, 2022, in Ogo-Oluwa area, Osogbo, did with fraudulent intent, obtain from one Toyosi Olutade (a POS operator) the sum of N54,000 by falsely holding yourself out as a member of SSS and presenting fake debit alert of the said transaction through your mobile phone number 08131859789.
“You, on or about March 15, 2022 at LG Showroom (Accepted Multipurpose Company), Ogo-Oluwa area, did obtain with fraudulent intent from one Nwafor Nzube, goods comprising mostly assorted electronics and worth N566,000 by falsely holding yourself out as an operative of the SSS and presenting a fake debit alert of the said transaction through your mobile phone number 08131859787.”
According to the prosecuting counsel, A. A. Ademodi, the accused person consequently committed offences contrary to and punishable under sections 516,484, and 419 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the allegations leveled against him while the defence counsel, J P. Jones, applied for his bail and assured the court that he would be available to stand his trial.
Chief Magistrate M. A. Olatunji granted the defendant bail in the sum of N750, 000 with two sureties in the same amount.
The magistrate said that one of the sureties must be a serving civil servant not below grade level 10 while the other surety should be a blood relation of the defendant who must deposit the cash sum of N200, 000 to the court.
The matter was adjourned till May 23 for hearing.
