By Ajibola Adedoye
The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) has secured the conviction of a 40-year-old impostor, Mr. Sunday Otu, for defrauding unsuspecting motorists with forged release orders.
Otu, a resident of Ketu and native of Cross River State, was arrested after tricking Mr. Sunday Daniel (a.k.a. Daniel Jackson) into parting with ₦60,000, promising to facilitate the release of his impounded vehicle through supposed “connections” within the Taskforce. The impostor demanded a total of ₦90,000, but was apprehended after luring his victim to the Agency’s car park in Alausa, Ikeja.
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Investigations uncovered that Otu personally forged Taskforce release documents and had been involved in similar fraud cases in recent weeks. Several incriminating items — including forged release order booklets, stationery, and vehicle registration numbers — were recovered from him. He later confessed to working with an accomplice identified as Afix, who remains at large.
Charged before a magistrate court, Otu pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years and five months imprisonment at the Badagry Correctional Centre.
Reacting to the conviction, the Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, praised officers for their vigilance and urged Lagos residents to remain wary of touts impersonating government officials.
“Our enforcement terminates in the court, which is the only civilized way of settling disputes. Anyone who deals with impostors or middlemen does so at their own risk. Lagosians must always approach the Agency directly to avoid falling prey to fraudsters,” CSP Akerele cautioned.
He further assured that the Taskforce will intensify its clampdown on criminal syndicates impersonating state officials to extort innocent citizens.
The arrest and swift conviction of Otu, according to the Taskforce, sends a strong message to other impostors preying on unsuspecting Lagosians that the law will eventually catch up with them.
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