Businessman docked for alleged impersonation, fraud

The police on Thursday arraigned a businessman, Joseph Isang, 45, in a Karu Upper Area Court in Abuja for alleged impersonation and N200,000 fraud.

The defendant, who resides at Jikwoyi Phase 2 Extension in Abuja, is standing trial on a two-count charge of impersonation and cheating.

He, however, denied the charges.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mr Olarewaju Osho, told the court that the complainant, one Mrs Grace Atuluku, residing in Jikwoyi reported the matter at the Jikwoyi Police Station on Dec. 29 last year at around 11 a.m.

“The complainant alleged that sometime in April 2022, the defendant paraded himself as an ordained pastor and falsely collected the sum of N200, 000 from him with an agreement to refund it.

“However, with intent to cheat the complainant, the defendant refused to refund the money,” Osho told the court.

The offences contravened Sections 182 and 322 of the Penal Code.

The Judge, Mr Ishaq Hassan, however, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Hassan ordered the defendant to also make immediate deposit of N50, 000.

He adjourned the case until March 9 for hearing.