A 28-year-old woman, Juliana Friday, was arraigned at an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Friday for allegedly impersonating police officers and committing fraud. Facing 34 charges related to obtaining money under false pretenses and impersonation, Friday pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector John Iberedem, stated that the offenses took place between November 2023 and February 2024 in the Bonny Camp area of Lagos. Friday, along with accomplices who remain at large, allegedly impersonated Nigeria Police Force inspectors attached to the Lagos State Police Commissioner’s Office. They obtained money from unsuspecting individuals by promising to help them secure police and civil defense jobs.

Iberedem detailed several instances of the fraudulent activity:

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  • Damola Bello and Franklin Obi were defrauded of N600,000 and N850,000, respectively.
  • Musa Omobolala and Wasiu Bello were conned out of N850,000 and N600,000.
  • Tina Danladi was swindled out of N600,000 for a civil defense job, while Blessing Danladi lost N650,000 for a promised police job.
  • Zainab Oyebola, Munir Lawal, and Kadija Hassan were duped out of N800,000, N900,000, and N550,000, respectively.
  • Other victims include AllI Lawal (N600,000), Akinwumi Alarope (N700,000), Aisha Shonde (N500,000), Damilola Alli (N500,000), Bilhatu Adamu (N40,000), Carina Fata (N20,000), Elizabeth Danladi (N20,000), and Aloaye (N670,000).
  • Cpl Theresa Bello was defrauded of N1.3 million, while Yakubu Garba, Abubakar Abubakar, Gabriel Kutiju, and Solomon Angelo lost N850,000, N850,000, N950,000, and N700,000, respectively.
  • Further victims include Garba Muntari (N700,000), Faith John (N450,000), Miracle Sani (N450,000), Adamu Yohana (N400,000), Mercy Hassan (N250,000), Joseph Rahap (N370,000), Jimmia Bako (N2.5 million), Mummy Lucky (N750,000), Murna Thomas (N120,000), and Roseline Phillip (N35,000).
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The alleged offenses contravene Sections 77(a), 314(1), and 412 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Section 77(a) prescribes a three-year jail term for impersonation of armed forces or police members.

Magistrate E. Kubeinje granted Juliana Friday bail in the sum of N4 million, with two sureties of the same amount. The sureties must be gainfully employed, provide proof of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, and have verifiable addresses. The case is adjourned until August 7 for further hearing.