In Abuja, Man Pleads Guilty To Impersonating EFCC Operative, Air Force Officer To Defraud Public
Man Pleads Guilty To Impersonating EFCC Operative, Air Force Officer To Defraud Public In Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged Salifu Olije Mustapha before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Kubwa, Abuja, with impersonating anti-graft agents and robbing the public.
Mustapha appeared in court on Tuesday before Justice A.I. Akobi on a four-count allegation of impersonation, misrepresentation, and claimed engagement in fraudulent operations while acting as both an EFCC operative and a Nigerian Air Force commander.
According to the EFCC, the suspect was arrested following actionable intelligence linking him to the illegal use of fake EFCC operational uniforms alongside two other suspects.
The Commission alleged that Mustapha and his accomplices used the fake identities to harass motorists and extort members of the public in Abuja.
One of the charges against the defendant stated that sometime in March 2026, he allegedly aided two suspects, identified as Abubakar, who is currently at large, and Haruna Mamuda, who is under investigation by another law enforcement agency, by transporting them in a Toyota Corolla with registration number KTU399GT while they were fully dressed in EFCC operational uniforms.
The charge further alleged that the suspects stormed Sheriff Plaza in Wuse II, Abuja, posing as operatives of the Commission in a bid to defraud unsuspecting victims.
Another count accused Mustapha of falsely presenting himself as a Nigerian Air Force officer and using the assumed identity to deceive and defraud members of the public.
The offences, according to the EFCC, contravene Sections 84(c) and 132 of the Penal Code Act.
“That you, Salifu Olije Mustapha sometime in March 2026, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, impersonated a Public Servant by falsely presenting yourself as officer of the Nigerian Air Force and in that assumed character defrauded unsuspecting members of the public and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 132 of the Penal Code Act,” Count 2 read.
When the charges were read in court, Mustapha pleaded guilty to all four counts.
Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, R.U. Adaga, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.
Justice Akobi subsequently adjourned the matter until June 1, 2026, for sentencing.
The EFCC said investigations revealed that Mustapha was specifically spotted wearing fake EFCC uniforms alongside two other suspects while allegedly mounting illegal operations targeted at motorists in Abuja.
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