Fake EFCC Operative Pleads Guilty to Impersonation, Fraud in Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a man, Salifu Olije Mustapha, before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Kubwa, Abuja, for allegedly impersonating an EFCC operative and defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.

Mustapha was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice A.I. Akobi on a four-count charge bordering on impersonation and misrepresentation.

According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly posed as an operative of the anti-graft agency and participated in activities aimed at deceiving and extorting members of the public.

One of the charges stated that Mustapha, sometime in March 2026, allegedly pretended to be a Nigerian Air Force officer and aided two other suspects — identified as Abubakar, who is currently at large, and Haruna Mamuda, said to be under investigation by another law enforcement agency.

The Commission alleged that the suspects, dressed in fake EFCC operational uniforms, used a Toyota Corolla with registration number KTU399GT to allegedly defraud members of the public at Sheriff Plaza, Wuse II, Abuja.

Another charge accused Mustapha of impersonating a public servant by falsely presenting himself as a Nigerian Air Force officer and using the assumed identity to extort unsuspecting victims.

When the charges were read in court, the defendant pleaded guilty to all four counts.

Following his plea, prosecution counsel, R.U. Adaga, urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.

Justice Akobi subsequently adjourned the matter until June 1, 2026, for sentencing.

The EFCC said Mustapha was arrested after intelligence linked him to the impersonation of EFCC personnel.

Investigations reportedly revealed that he and two other suspects were seen wearing fake EFCC uniforms while allegedly harassing motorists and collecting money from them under false pretences in Abuja.