A 36-year-old property agent has been arraigned before an Abuja Senior Magistrate’s Court for allegedly parading himself as a staff of the Nigeria Police Mortgage Bank Plc and defrauded 31 police officers.
Tijani Johnson of Durumi I village, Abuja, was charged with impersonation, criminal breach of trust and cheating, offences contrary to Sections 132, 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.
The police prosecutor, Kelechi Echendu, told the court that one Sunday Fesipe of the Nigeria Police Mortgage Bank Plc Abuja, on July 30, complained at the Area Command headquarters, Abuja, of how the accused paraded himself as a staff of the bank between the months of March and April.
He said the accused collected monies from one SP. Andy Andem and 30 other police officers attached to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja with the pretense that he would open an account for them with the bank.
The prosecutor further said the accused claimed the platform would enable him facilitate a housing loan for them, but converted the money to his own use.
When the charges were read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail by the magistrate, Chukwuemeka Nweke, with two reasonable sureties, of which one must be a civil servant of not less than Grade Level 15 with letter of appointment and last promotion as well as statement of bank account presented to the court.
The case was adjourned to August 17, for hearing.
