An Iwo -road, Ibadan Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ibadan on Monday sentenced a 20- year old man, Abiodun David to six years imprisonment with hard labour for impersonating Nigeria customs personnel.
The convict (David), who had been parading himself as a senior customs officer in charge of auction in the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), was charged on a nine -count of obtaining money under false pretence, fraudulent conspiracy, stealing, forgery and impersonation.
The accused (now convicted) had earlier pleaded not guilty to the nine count charge with Charge No: Mi/509c/20178.
The prosecutor, Sunday Ogunremi told the court that the accused and others now at large on 13th September, 2018 around Akingbade area of the city in Ibadan magisterial district did conspire together to impersonate and obtain money under false pretence.
He said that the accused claimed to be in charge of auction in the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) having known same to be false.
He added that David also forged Nigeria custom car clearance document having known same to be false.
The Prosecutor said that the accused and others still at large sometimes in May 2018 around Egbeda area of Ibadan fraudulently obtained the sum of N 805,000.00 from one Babalola Tunde with pretext to supply him a Toyota Highlander and converted the money to his personal use.
Ogunremi also told the court that the accused and others now at large on 17th October 2018 around Oluwo Masopa area Ibadan fraudulently obtained the sum of N 200, 000, 00 from one Ezekiel Ojo with pretext to supply him a Volkswagen Golf S/Car and converted the money to his personal use.
The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to and punishable under section 516,419,108(2), 467,390(9), 419, of the Criminal Code vol. II laws of Oyo State Nigeria.
David however prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, claiming that it was lack of job that pushed him into committing the offence.
He vowed never to commit such an offence again if the court should pardon him and set him free.
Consequently, the Magistrate said he would not grant the prayer of the accused for pardon so as to serve as deterrent to others.
Oladiran thereafter sentenced the accused (David) to six years imprisonment with hard Labour , with three years each on Counts one and two.
He said that the convict will however run his the jail term concurrently.
Credit: The Nation
