Man Arrested For Impersonating Police IG

The Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS led by S.P Abba Kyari, has arrested two suspects, Ebuzoma Charles, 32, and Katherine Ofereka for impersonating the former Inspector- General of Police, Mike Okiro.

Ebuzoma was arrested recently when through a text message he approached SP Abubakar Yakubu, commander MOPOL, 22 Ikeja, Lagos .

to seek financial assistance. The suspect reportedly claimed to be a former IGP, Mike Okiro.

Suspecting a foul play, Abubakar called Ebuzoma on phone and his fears was justifed when he noticed that his voice was not the same as that of Okiro he knew. He then decided to play along with him.

It was gathered that Abubakar sent his secretary to the bank to pay an unspecified amount of money into his account. He then organised for someone to keep watch on whoever surfaced at the bank to cash the money. And as the suspect showed up, he was nabbed.

Ebuzoma Charles, an indigene of Okwani West, Delta State said that he was a shoe dealer and later he was enouraged by his late friend called Innocent to become a fraudster.

“I have been in the ‘business’ for over a year using different SIM cards by impersonating the former IGP and his deputy Efuntayo.” Ebuzoma confessed.

He added that he used his girlfriend as his secretary including her UBA account and ATM card to cover his crime.

Katherine Ofereka, said that she knew nothing about Charles’ criminal activities as he only told her he was into oil and gas business.

“He took over my ATM card and bank account since the time he sold his red car and wanted to deposit the money in my account. He used the incident as an excuse to take over my account. He called me one Saturday morning that any time am called for interview in my bank I shouldn’t go”. She said

Katherine stated that the guy later sent her messages that “don’t go to your bank again, it’s no longer safe for you” and he also threatened to kill her.

One of the messages he sent to Senator Oluremi Tinubu and other VIPs reads, “Hope you are doing well, kindly text contact Amb. Musilim Obanikoro and forward two names for cadet Asp and most posses 1st degree pls. my regard IGPOL Mike Okiro rtd.”

Another message he sent to C.P |Suleiman Abba (election CP Lagos) who is the current C.P in Rivers State reads that “ Still waiting please try search and forward contact of state chairman (NURTW) Rivers please. Thank you. IGPOL Mike Okiro rtd.”

Another one he sent to Senator Suleiman reads, “My dist. Sen Adokwe, very sorry missed your calls. Am with a guest pls. bear with me. Hope you ack my message? Thank you. IGPOL Mike Okiro rtd”

—Dedeigbo Ayodeji and Olutona Mayowa