A 59-year-old woman, Rakiyat Musa, has been arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate's Court in Lagos for allegedly impersonating a Nigerian Customs officer and scamming several individuals out of over N34 million. According to the prosecutor, Inspector Cyriacus Osuji, Musa posed as a customs officer and presented an identity card to her victims to convince them of her status.
Details of the Scam
Musa allegedly obtained ¹:
- N13,480,000 from Mr. Damilare Sodiq, President of Power House Cooperative, under the guise of supplying bags of rice and groundnut oil
- N5,350,000 from Mr. Chukwudi Joshua
- N2,600,000 from Mr. Mathew Nworie
- N2,686,000 from Mr. Okereke Johnson
Charges and Bail
Musa is facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, stealing, impersonation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. She pleaded not guilty to the charges. Magistrate B.I. Amos granted Musa bail in the sum of N2.5 million with two sureties in like sum, who must be resident in Lagos State, gainfully employed, and show evidence of tax payment. Musa was also ordered to deposit N500,000 as part of the bail conditions ¹.
Warning from Authorities
The Nigeria Customs Service has warned the public to be cautious of scammers impersonating customs officers, emphasizing that all legitimate operations and announcements are communicated through official channels only ².
Conclusion
The case highlights the need for vigilance and verification when dealing with individuals claiming to represent government agencies. Musa's case has been adjourned to August 11, 2025, for mention.
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