Impersonation

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a couple, Baba Sule Abubakar Sadiq and Hafsat Kabir Lawal, along with two others, Abdullahi Bala and Ladani Akindele, for allegedly defrauding victims of ₦197,750,000 by impersonating the Katsina First Lady, Fatima Dikko Radda. They were charged before Justice Amina Bello of the Kaduna State High Court on March 10, 2025, for obtaining money by false pretense, money laundering, and stealing.

The EFCC alleged that Hafsat posed as the Katsina First Lady to deceive victims into a fake currency exchange deal. She and her accomplices allegedly obtained ₦89 million from a victim under the pretense of exchanging it for $53,300, with the funds deposited into Abdullahi Bala’s account. Investigations further revealed that her husband, Sadiq, provided her with SIM cards registered under the name “Fatima Dikko Radda” on Truecaller to aid the scheme.

All defendants pleaded not guilty. The EFCC’s counsel, Bright C. Ogbonna, opposed their bail applications, arguing they were not yet ready for hearing. Justice Bello ordered their remand in a correctional facility and adjourned the case to March 17, 2025, for the hearing of bail applications.

The EFCC stated that Hafsat fraudulently collected a total of ₦197.75 million from a bureau de change operator, claiming to have $118,300 to sell. The funds were allegedly laundered through various means. The case continues as the EFCC pushes for justice.

By Muhammad Aminu

The Kano state Road and Traffic Agency (KAROTA) has arrested an impersonator defrauding drivers at night.

The 27-year-old young man impersonated the agency staff on duty around 12 midnight on Monday.

The suspect, identified as Lukman Abdullahi, appeared on night duty on Monday when he was apprehended.

According to the Agency Public Relations Officer, Nabulusi Kofar Na’isa, the suspect was apprehended wearing KAROTA uniform, disguising as their Staff.

Kofar Na’isa added that the agency got the report of the suspect using its name, manhandling commuters but did not get to meet him until now.

The Managing Director of the agency, Baffa Babba Danagundi, called on the general public to report officials who engage in misconduct, bribery and corruption as they will be charged accordingly to court.

He added that once investigation is completed, the suspect will be handed over to the police for onward investigation before the law.