10th August, 2015
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
Photo: Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
A man, identified as Segun Odofin, who has been parading himself as the Assistant Editor of The News magazine was on Sunday arrested at a reception in honour of the immediate past Controller General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
The suspect was invited outside the hall to explain himself to members of the Ogun State Correspondent Chapel led by its Chairman, Kunle Olayeni was later arrested for impersonation.
One of the correspondents who alerted other colleagues upon sighting the fake practitioner reported that the suspect has been parading himself as journalist for long, adding that, his cup was full today.
Another colleague disclosed that Odofin was also seen on Saturday at the funeral ceremony of Senator Olorunmibe Mamora’s mother, Madam Elizabeth Adesola Mamora in Ijebu Ife in Ijebu East local government area of the state.
He explained that he overheard people complaining at the funeral ceremony that the suspect had taken some money from them with the promise to help publish a story but ran away when attempts were made to arrest him.
When he was accused at the programme, the fake Journalist who showed an Identity Card with inscription of ‘The News Magazine’, boasted that he has been practicing journalism years before many of the journalists present at the venue began work, adding that, he started his practice with Nigerian Tribune newspaper.
A call was immediately put across to the State Correspondent of PM News/The News magazine, Abiodun Onafuye, who dismissed all claims by Odofin.
The suspect who later claimed to be a freelancer was immediately handed over to the officers of NSCDC who transferred him to the Ibara Divisional Police Headquarters of Nigerian Police in Ibara, Abeokuta.
Odofin, upon hearing that Onafuye was on his way to the police station confessed to have printed the ID Card himself claiming that he started impersonating the media outfit because of ‘a challenge’.
A further check revealed that the same man has passed a note across to the Deputy Controller General of the Corps demanding monetary gratification for covering the event.
The note which was later passed to the journalists read, “Press: Our Dear DCG, we are the gentlemen of the Press that came to cover the ceremony. We highly recognise your presence and we hold you in high esteem. Kindly Sir, put smiles on our faces to make our journey back to Lagos. We are five press men. Thanks”.
Meanwhile, the police have assured that he would be charged to court for impersonation, forgery and obtaining money under false pretence.