Fake Surety Bags 21 Months Jail Term In Osun

A Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo, State of Osun presided by Magistrate Modupe Awodele, has sentenced a 52-year-old man, Ibrahim Najeem, to 21 months imprisonment for impersonating as a Level 14 Civil servant and Chief Account Officer of Ifelodun Local Government Area of the State.

The convict was arraigned on January 12, 2018, on five count charges, bothering on impersonation, forgery, obstructing court of justice, among others.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and had then been remanded in Ilesha prison custody.

However, when the case was called for mention on Monday, he changed his plea and admitted guilty as charged.

The Prosecutor, Taiwo Adegoke, said the convict committed the offence on November 4, 2016 at Osogbo Magisterial District.

He explained that the convict impersonated himself as the Chief Account Officer of Ifelodun Local Government via a letter of appointment and letter of promotion dated September 4th, 1989 and September 2013, including the Identity Card, which he used to stand as surety to one Olusegun Bolarinwa, a fake soldier standing trial in court.

The Prosecutor said the convict was apprehended at the court premises when he came with fake documents to stand as surety for another accused person.

According to Police, the document presented by the convict was investigated and discovered to be fake.

Adegoke informed the court that the offenses were contrary to and punishable under section 108, 133, 465 and 126 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol. 11, Laws of Osun State, 2003.

The statement of the convict together with all the “forged document” were tendered to the court and admitted as exhibits.

In his ruling, Magistrate Awodele sentenced the convict to 21 months imprisonment without option of fine.