Unemployed docked for allegedly impersonating AEDC official

An unemployed man, Babatunde Ajibola, was on Wednesday docked in a Dutse Magistrates’ Court in Abuja, for allegedly impersonating an official of the Abuja Electrical Distribution Company (AEDC).

The police charged Ajibola, 47, with criminal conspiracy, false personation and extortion.

He however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mrs Julianna Atinko, alleged that Ajibola committed the offence on Sept. 22 at Brick City Estate, Byazhin, Abuja.

Atinko said that an AEDC staff member, Mr Nelson Fidelis, reported the matter at the Byazhin Divisional Police Station on the same date.

She said that Fidelis and his team were on official duty within the estate when they encountered Ajibola, one Lukman and others, at large.

Atinko alleged that the defendant collected N30,000 from a resident, Muntari Abashe, for metre installation.

She further alleged that Ajibola and his accomplices had earlier extorted money from other residents within and outside the estate.

According to her, they allegedly claimed to be AEDC staff from the company’s Gwarinpa office.

She said that the total amount allegedly collected from the residents is yet to be ascertained.

The prosecutor further alleged that the defendant was found with screwdrivers, an electric thermometer and a T-shirt bearing AEDC’s name.

Atinko told the court that Ajibola confessed during police investigation to committing the alleged the crime.

The offence, the police said, contravened the provisions of  Sections 97, 179 and 292 of the Penal Code Law.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr Ibrahim Alkali, ordered that Ajibola be remanded in police custody.

The court adjourned the matter until Nov. 4 for hearing.