Man in court in Ondo for impersonating former IGP son

THE Police in Ondo state on Tuesday arraigned a middle-aged man, Afeez Smith, at an Ondo Chief Magistrate court for allegedly impersonating as the son of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) and present Chairman, Police Service Commission, Mr. Musiliu Smith, to obtain fraudulently.

Afeez who was dragged before Magistrate Ajibade B.F was arraigned on a five-count charge of impersonation, fraud, stealing and unlawful possession of property.

The accused who was arrested in Ondo town by men of the state police command in Ondo, for allegedly claiming to a biological son of former IGP and using the name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The accused was also alleged to have duped some officers of the Police Force serving in the community.

The Police Prosecutor Mr. Olagbayi Bernard, said “the accused person recently within the Ondo magisterial district fraudulently obtained the sum of N750,000 from one Fabode Akinsola under the pretence to supply him one Toyota Corolla car which he failed to supply.

He was also alleged to have stolen the sum of N300,000 from three different people while he was accused of possessing one Toyota Venza 2010 model car with chassis number: 4T3BA3BBXAUO12028, without a registration number and could not give a satisfactory account of it.

According to the prosecutor, the offences are contrary to and punishable under section 430, 390, 419 and 383 of the criminal code, cap 37 volume 1 laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

The accused pleaded not guilty while the charge was read to him, while the prosecutor prayed the court to grant him a short adjournment to enable him to study the case file and assemble all his witnesses to prosecute the case.

Counsels to the accused person, Mr. O.O Afolayan and Ikuemonisan, however, sought for bail for the accused, arguing that the accused should be presumed to be innocent of all the allegations levied against him.

The two lawyers assured the court that the accused person if granted bail, would not jump bail and provide a reliable surety.

In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Ajibade B.F granted the accused bail with the sum of one million Naira in like sum with two surety, who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned till 4th of July 2018 for hearing.”