A 59-year-old woman, Rakiyat Musa, was on Thursday arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court sitting at Tinubu, Lagos Island, for allegedly impersonating a Nigerian Customs officer and defrauding several individuals of over ₦34 million.
Musa is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, stealing, impersonation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. She appeared before Magistrate B.I. Amos and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Cyriacus Osuji, the defendant, along with accomplices still at large, committed the offences between April and July 2025. Osuji told the court that Musa falsely claimed to be a Customs officer and used that identity to defraud victims.
“She obtained ₦13,480,000 from one Mr. Damilare Sodiq, President of Power House Cooperative, Kosofe, Lagos, under the pretext of supplying rice and groundnut oil,” Osuji stated.
Musa was also accused of collecting ₦5,350,000 from Mr. Chukwudi Joshua, ₦2,600,000 from Mr. Mathew Nworie, and ₦2,686,000 from Mr. Okereke Johnson under similar pretences. Additionally, she allegedly stole ₦10 million from the victims.
The offences contravene Sections 411, 314, 287, and 380(1) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
Magistrate Amos granted Musa bail in the sum of ₦2.5 million with two sureties in like sum. She also ordered the defendant to deposit ₦500,000 as part of the bail conditions. The sureties must reside in Lagos, be gainfully employed, and present evidence of tax payment. Their addresses must be verified.
The case was adjourned until August 11, 2025, for mention.
