An FCT High Court has convicted two men for impersonating EFCC officers to defraud members of the public. Sentencing is set for July 22.
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Jikwoyi has convicted Haruna Mamuda and Sadiq Umar for impersonating officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
Justice M. Zubairu delivered the conviction on Thursday after both defendants pleaded guilty to a five-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, impersonation and unlawful representation.
The court adjourned the case until July 22, 2026, for sentencing and ordered that the two convicts remain in the custody of the EFCC pending the hearing.
According to the charges, Mamuda and Umar, alongside Salifu Olije Mustapha, who is standing trial separately before another FCT High Court in Kubwa, conspired in March 2026 to falsely present themselves as officials of the EFCC.
The prosecution told the court that the defendants used the false identity to deceive and defraud members of the public, an offence contrary to the provisions of the Penal Code Act.
One of the charges specifically accused Sadiq Umar, also known as Abubakar Hashimu Umar, of falsely impersonating an EFCC officer and using that assumed identity to defraud unsuspecting victims.
When the charges were read, both defendants admitted to the offences.
Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel R.U. Adagba urged the court to convict them in line with the law.
Lawyers representing the two defendants appealed for leniency.
Counsel to Mamuda, Anamegbumam Innocent, told the court that his client had shown remorse, cooperated with investigators and was a family man with dependants.
Similarly, Bemdo Asan, who represented Umar, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, noting that his client had no previous criminal conviction.
Opposing the plea for leniency, the prosecution argued that the offences were serious and warranted an appropriate sentence.
Adagba informed the court that the first defendant was a dismissed member of the Nigerian Army, adding that a strong sentence would serve as a deterrent to others.
She further disclosed that the defendants had been transferred to the EFCC by the Department of State Services (DSS), where they are also facing allegations relating to terrorism financing and kidnapping.
The allegations are separate from the impersonation case before the court and remain subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
After convicting the defendants, Justice Zubairu fixed July 22, 2026, for sentencing.
The judge also ordered that both men remain in EFCC custody pending the sentencing hearing.
The conviction underscores growing concerns over individuals who exploit the identities of law enforcement agencies to deceive members of the public.
The EFCC has repeatedly warned Nigerians to verify the identities of anyone claiming to be its personnel and to report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
The outcome of the sentencing hearing next week is expected to signal the court's stance on offences involving impersonation of public officials and fraud.
Prime Brief Media will continue to monitor the case and provide updates after the sentencing hearing on July 22, 2026.
More on FCT & Middlebelt Affairs