Fake Customs Officer Arraigned For Allegedly Defrauding Victims Of N34 Million In Lagos

A 59-year-old woman, Rakiyat Musa, was arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court sitting in Tinubu, Lagos Island, for allegedly posing as a Nigerian Customs officer and scamming several people of more than N34 million.

Rakiyat Musa was arrraigned before Magistrate B. I. Amos on a four-count charge that includes conspiracy, impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, and conduct likely to disturb public peace.

The prosecutor, Inspector Cyriacus Osuji, told the court that Musa and others still on the run allegedly tricked unsuspecting victims between April and July 2025.

“The defendant fraudulently obtained the sum of N13,480,000 from one Mr. Damilare Sodiq, the President of Power House Cooperative, Kosofe, Lagos, under the guise of supplying bags of rice and groundnut oil,” Osuji stated.

Osuji further alleged that she collected N5.35 million from Mr. Chukwudi Joshua, N2.6 million from Mr. Mathew Nworie, and N2.686 million from Mr. Okereke Johnson—all under the same false promise.

“She posed as a Nigerian Customs officer and presented an identity card to her victims to convince them of her status. She knew all along that her claims were false,” the prosecutor added.

He also accused her of stealing an additional N10 million from the victims, adding that the offences go against Sections 411, 314, 287, and 380(1) of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2015.

When the offences were read to her on Thursday, Rakiyat Musa pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Magistrate Amos then granted her bail set at N2.5 million with two sureties who must also provide the same amount.

“The sureties must be resident in Lagos State, gainfully employed, and must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government. Their addresses must also be verified,” Magistrate Amos ruled.

Musa was also ordered to deposit N500,000 as part of her bail conditions.

The case was adjourned until August 11, 2025, for further hearing.

KanyiDaily recalls that the EFCC recently arraigned a man, Collins Musa Inu Umoru for allegedly impersonating adult film star, Mia Khalifa on social media to commit internet fraud.