Court convicts two over EFCC impersonation, adjourns sentencing to July 22

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso 

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Jikwoyi, Abuja, has convicted two men for impersonating officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to defraud members of the public.

Justice M. Zubairu convicted Haruna Mamuda and Sadiq Umar on Thursday after they pleaded guilty to a five-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, impersonation and unlawful representation.

According to the charge, the convicts, alongside one Salifu Olije Mustapha, who is standing trial separately before an FCT High Court in Kubwa, conspired in March 2026 to falsely present themselves as EFCC officers.

The prosecution said the act contravened Section 96 of the Penal Code Act and is punishable under Section 132 of the same Act.

One of the counts specifically accused Sadiq Umar, also known as Abubakar Hashimu Umar, of impersonating an EFCC officer and using the false identity to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The defendants admitted guilt when the charges were read to them.

Following their plea, prosecution counsel, R.U. Adagba, urged the court to convict the defendants as charged.

Counsel to the first convict, Anamegbumam Innocent, appealed for leniency, arguing that his client had shown remorse, cooperated with investigators and was a married man with children.

Similarly, counsel to the second convict, Bemdo Asan, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, noting that his client had no previous criminal conviction.

In response, the prosecution urged the court to impose appropriate punishment, describing the offences as serious.

Adagba told the court that the first convict was a dismissed member of the Nigerian Army, adding that a stiff sentence would serve as a deterrent to others.

She further informed the court that the defendants were transferred from the Department of State Services (DSS), where they are facing separate charges relating to alleged terrorism financing and kidnapping.

Justice Zubairu subsequently adjourned the case until July 22, 2026, for sentencing and ordered that both convicts remain in the custody of the EFCC pending the hearing.