Woman Arraigned for Impersonating Customs Officer, Defrauding Victims of N34m

A 59-year-old woman, Rakiyat Musa, was arraigned on Thursday at the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Tinubu, Lagos Island, for allegedly impersonating a Nigerian Customs officer and fraudulently obtaining over ₦34 million from several individuals.

Appearing before Magistrate B. I. Amos, Musa faced a four-count charge including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, impersonation, and conduct likely to breach public peace.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Cyriacus Osuji, Musa and her accomplices still at large allegedly defrauded victims between April and July 2025 by falsely claiming she could supply bags of rice and groundnut oil through Customs channels.

The prosecutor told the court that Musa swindled ₦13.48 million from Mr. Damilare Sodiq, President of Power House Cooperative, Kosofe; ₦5.35 million from Mr. Chukwudi Joshua; ₦2.6 million from Mr. Mathew Nworie; and ₦2.686 million from Mr. Okereke Johnson.

“She presented a fake Nigerian Customs identity card to her victims to gain their trust,” Osuji said, adding that Musa also allegedly stole an additional ₦10 million from the complainants.

These actions, he stated, violate Sections 411, 314, 287, and 380(1) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

Musa pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Magistrate Amos granted her bail set at ₦2.5 million, with two sureties in the same amount. The sureties must reside in Lagos, be gainfully employed, present evidence of tax payments, and have their addresses verified. Additionally, Musa is required to deposit ₦500,000 as part of her bail.

The case has been adjourned to August 11, 2025, for further mention.