7th October, 2016
The police in Osogbo on Friday arraigned a 55-year-old man, Olusegun Kareem, who allegedly posed as a colonel to dupe citizens seeking to join the Nigerian Army.
Kareem, of unknown address, is facing charges of impersonation and fraud before an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court.
The prosecutor, Insp. Taiwo Adegoke, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Sept.18 at about 1:30a.m., at Favour Guest House, Kobongbogbie, Osogbo.
Adegoke said that Kareem posed as a colonel to dupe members of the public intending to join the military.
He said that the accused defrauded Mr Godspower Nnamdi of N500,000 in the pretext of assisting him to purchase an auctioned vehicle from the Nigerian Customs Service.
The prosecutor added that the accused was in possession of fake identification cards, military uniforms and other documents with which he claimed to be an army officer.
Adegoke said that the offences contravened Sections109, 428(d), 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2003.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
Counsel to the accused, Mr Okobie Najite, prayed the court to grant him bail in liberal terms.
The Magistrate, Mr Olusola Aluko, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 and two sureties in like sum.
Aluko said that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, provide evidence of tax payment and have landed property in Osogbo.
The case has been adjourned to Nov. 7 for hearing.