Man, 29, Gives Himself ASP Rank After Forging IGP’s Signature

A 29-year old man, Yakubu Usman, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly forging the signature of the Inspector General of Police as he recruited himself into Nigeria Police Force and promoted self to the rank of Assistance Superintendent of Police, ASP, before he was caught.

The suspect, Usman, has been arrested and charged for impersonation and forgery under the Criminal Laws of the State.

The suspect was apprehended by the Police intelligence operatives from the Alausa Division at Agidingbi area of Ikeja, with clothes resembling the uniform of the Nigerian Police. When he was accosted, he claimed to be a Police officer and presented an identity card bearing the Rank of ASP.

The Police had suspected him, subsequently arrested him and took him to the station for further investigation, which yielded results.

During investigation, the Police discovered that the suspect presented the Assistant Superintendent of Nigeria Police Warrant Card with the signature of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun.

He later confessed and told the Police that he was not a Policeman and the ID card found on him was forged after he recruited himself into the Nigeria Police Force.

The Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
Part of the charges read:

“That you, Yakubu Usman ‘M’ on the 21″ day of October, 2024 at about 0230hrs at Agidingbi Area of Ikeja in the Ikeja Magisterial district, did wear clothes resembling the uniform of the Nigeria Police Force and further presented an Assistant Superintendent Nigeria Police Identity card with your passport photograph and your name knowing fully that you are not a member of the Nigeria Police Force and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 77(b) of the Criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

“That you, Yakubu Usman ‘M’, on same Date, Time and Place in the aforesaid Magisterial district, did present Assistant Superintendent of Nigeria Police Warrant Card with the signature of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun PhD, with intent that you are a member of Nigeria Police Force and acted on as genuine and thereby committed an offence contrary to 363 (1a) and punishable under Section 365 (1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.

The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.