Man arraigned for impersonating Kukah to dupe Afe Babalola

For allegedly defrauding the eminent lawyer, and founder of Afe babalo, a University in Ado Ekiti, in Ekiti State, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) of N2.5 a 35-year-old man, Abdulrahman Muazu, has been arraigned before an Ado Ekiti Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

The suspect had allegedly posed as the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Kukah before succeeding in impersonating Babalola.

Muazu who was said to have in a telephone conversation with Babalola posed as Kukah and requested a sum of N2.5 million as part of funds being raised in aid of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast, was charged alongside others at large on two-count charge felony and fraud.

The accused person was arraigned for obtaining money under pretence with intent to defraud and present himself as Bishop Kukah with which he obtained the sum of N2.5 million from Babalola.

The offence is punishable under Sections 1 (3) and 11 of Advanced Fee Fraud and other fraud-related Offences in the criminal code.

But, counsel to the accused person, Busuyi Ayorinde, urged the court to grant his client bail.

Magistrate Doyin Akosile granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be a reputable clergyman and a civil servant with Ekiti State government.

However, unable to meet the bail conditions, the accused person was taken to prison custody.
Magistrate Akosile adjourned the case to October 28 for further hearing.

In a related development, three persons, Tope Mohammed (37), Obinna Bassey (27) and Kingsley Igwe have appeared before an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court for assault of law enforcement officers.

The suspects who were charged with a serious assault on police officers, Inspector Adefemi Oguntade and Sergeant Ebrudge Odunayo while performing their lawful duties, were also accused of assaulting one Jimoh Abdulwahab, an officer of Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency (EKSTMA).

The offence contravenes Section 356 (1) (3) of Criminal Code Cap C16 Vol. 1 Laws of Ekiti State 2012, and the accused were granted bail which was pleaded on their behalf by their counsel, Ayorinde.

Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye granted them bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with one surety in like sum, and the matter was adjourned to 28th October for further hearing.