Four Suspects Face Forgery and Impersonation Charges in Nigeria
In a bid to combat financial crimes, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken a significant step by arraigning four suspects for forgery and impersonation. The suspects, Solomon Yohanna, Shedrach Naphtali, Hassan Mohammed, and Abdullahi Abubakar, were brought before Justice Hammed Isha, charged with nine counts of forgery, aiding in committing a crime, and impersonation by the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.
According to the charges, the suspects allegedly forged the signature of the EFCC on various documents between 2023 and 2024 in Yola, Adamawa State. The forged documents include letters of authority, investigation approval, and team approval, all bearing the name of the first defendant. The intention behind these forgeries was to falsely claim that the first defendant was an EFCC staff member assigned to audit and supervise projects in Guyuk Local Government.
Upon arraignment, the first defendant, Solomon Yohanna, pleaded guilty to the charges, while the other defendants pleaded not guilty. The prosecution counsel, Saad H. Saad, requested to bring witnesses to review the case facts, but the counsel to the defendant, C. Karamuel, was not ready to proceed with witnesses.
Justice Isha granted bail to the second, third, and fourth defendants in the sum of N5 million each, with one surety. The surety must be a resident of Yola and a family man, and is required to deposit their identity card and sign a bail bond. The case has been adjourned to November 15, 2024, for trial and review of facts. Yohanna, who pleaded guilty, was remanded at Yola Correctional Centre in Adamawa State.
This move by the EFCC highlights the ongoing efforts to combat financial crimes in Nigeria and demonstrates the agency’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for individuals to be aware of potential scams and impersonation attempts.
