Ikeja Special Offences Court on Thursday afternoon sentenced a fake Army General Bolarinwa Abiodun, to seven years in prison for impersonation and N266.5 million fraud.
Recall that the fake soldier whose real name is Hassan Ayinde impersonated president Buhari by forging his signature and used it to perpetrate fraud.
The convict also disguised as the Chief Of Army Staff to carry out the N266.5 million fraud.
It was gathered that Abiodun pleaded guilty to an amendment 13-count bordering on obtaining money under false pretenses and forgery after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission re-arraigned him on Thursday.
Delivering judgment, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, sentenced Abiodun without an option of a fine, following his guilty plea.
“He so perfected the scam by the level of his education, that one wonders whether such an individual should be allowed to walk scot-free. It is so sad that people like this have given our dear country a bad name.
“I hereby sentence you Bolarinwa Abiodun to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine.
“He is to also forfeit building at No. 1 Joke Ayo St., Alagbado.
“His four vehicles, Black Range Rover, Black BMW car, Black Toyota Land Cruiser, and White Toyota Hilux with reg no Lagos KTU 985 ET which were recovered from him be forfeited,” the judge said.
The EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, submitted that he forged the signature of Obasanjo and the signature of Buhari in defrauding his victim of N266.5 million.
The prosecution counsel submitted that the defendant forged a letter of appointment as Chief Of Army Staff, dated May 20, 2020, and purportedly said the document emanated from the Presidency.
He also said that the defendant forged a Nigerian Army Identity Card with serial number 387140.
The defendant was also said to have been in possession of a forged certificate of confirmation, dated Nov. 7, 2018, purporting same to have emanated from the Nigerian Army Headquarters.
The prosecution said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 1(3) and 6 of Advanced Fee Fraud and other Related Offenses, 2006 and 363 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.