Man risks jail for impersonating Osinbajo

A 44-year-old man, Eseosasere Gift Osifo, on Thursday appeared before an Osogbo Magistrate’s’ Court over alleged impersonation and fraud.

Osifo was in court for creating a Facebook account using details of Prof Yemi Osunbajo, Vice President of Nigeria, to defraud unsuspected victims.

The Prosecutor, Mr Onoche Ekwom, Principal Legal Officer, Department of State Services, told the court that the accused committed the offence between January and August before he was arrested and brought to the court.

Ekwon said the accused used the account to extort money from unsuspected victims on several occasions before he fell prey to the last victim which led to his arrest.

He said the offence contravened Sections 484 and 422 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. 11, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the two-count of impersonation and fraud.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Peter Ofoyeju, prayed the Magistrate to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms.

The Magistrate, Mrs Sodamade Fatimoh, granted the accused bail in the sum N500,000 and two sureties in the like sum.

Fatimoh said the sureties must reside within the court jurisdiction and must have evidence of tax payment and two passport sized photographs attached with an affidavit of means.

She said one of the sureties must be a civil servant on Grade level 12 and the other a closed relations to the accused.

The case was adjourned the case to November 21 for hearing.

NAN