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From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
A 47-year-old man, Idris Balogun, has been arraigned before Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Isabo, over an alleged N870,000 fraud by impersonating as a bank employee.
Balogun is facing a six-count charge bordering on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence and stealing.
He pleaded guilty to all the charges.
The Prosecutor, ASP Johnson Pendosoji, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Feb. 22, 2019, and March 7, 2024, at Polaris Bank, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.
Pendosoji added that the defendant impersonated a staff member of Polaris Bank to defraud unsuspecting customers who came to the bank for transactions.
He added that Balogun obtained N270,000 from one Jamiu Razaq on Feb. 22, 2019, after pretending to assist him in paying money into his account.
The prosecutor further alleged that the defendant used the same method to obtain N600,000 from Sukurat Tijani on March 7, 2024.
According to him, the defendant would approach customers seeking assistance, collect their money under the guise of paying it to the cashier and then disappear with the cash.
Pendosoji described Balogun as a serial fraudster who allegedly specialised in impersonating bank staff to deceive customers.
He said the offences committed contravened Sections 419, 484, 383 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The Magistrate, Mrs A.Y. Morakinyo, adjourned the case until July 17 for presentation of the statement of facts following the defendant’s guilty plea.
