Man Arraigned Over Alleged ₦870,000 Bank Impersonation Fraud in Ogun

A 47-year-old man, Idris Balogun, has been arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrates Court sitting in Isabo, Ogun State, over allegations that he impersonated a bank employee and defrauded customers of ₦870,000.

Balogun was brought before the court on a six-count charge bordering on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence and stealing.

The defendant pleaded guilty to all the charges.

The prosecutor, ASP Johnson Pendosoji, told the court that the alleged offences were committed on February 22, 2019 and March 7, 2024, at the Polaris Bank branch located in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.

According to the prosecution, Balogun falsely presented himself as a staff member of Polaris Bank and targeted customers who visited the bank to carry out financial transactions.

Pendosoji alleged that the defendant approached customers under the guise of offering assistance, collected cash meant for deposit, claimed he would pay it directly to the cashier, and then disappeared with the money.

The prosecutor told the court that Balogun allegedly obtained ₦270,000 from one Jamiu Razaq on February 22, 2019, after pretending to assist him with a cash deposit.

He further alleged that the defendant employed the same method on March 7, 2024, to obtain ₦600,000 from another customer, identified as Sukurat Tijani.

According to the prosecution, the two incidents brought the total amount allegedly obtained through the scheme to ₦870,000.

Pendosoji described Balogun as a serial fraudster who specialised in impersonating bank staff to deceive unsuspecting customers conducting transactions at banking halls.

He said the offences contravened Sections 419, 484, 383 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

Following the defendant's guilty plea, the presiding magistrate, Mrs A.Y. Morakinyo, adjourned the case until July 17 for the presentation of the statement of facts before further proceedings.