In Lagos State, a 29-year-old man named Yakubu Usman is facing serious legal trouble after allegedly forging the signature of Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police. Usman reportedly devised a bold scheme to recruit himself into the Nigeria Police Force, going so far as to award himself the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). This elaborate ruse involved falsifying official documents to make his rank appear legitimate. However, his deception didn’t go unnoticed for long, as authorities eventually discovered the forgery, leading to his arrest. Now, Usman must answer for his audacious attempt to bypass the official recruitment and promotion process, facing potentially severe consequences for his actions.
Yakubu Usman, now in custody, has been arrested and charged under Lagos State’s Criminal Laws for forgery and impersonation. Police intelligence operatives from the Alausa Division apprehended Usman in Ikeja’s Agidingbi area, where he was reportedly found dressed in clothing resembling a Nigerian Police uniform. Usman’s attempt to pose as a high-ranking officer by forging official documents and mimicking police attire unraveled when he was taken into custody. His case highlights the risks and repercussions of forging authority through deceptive means.
When confronted by police intelligence operatives, Yakubu Usman confidently claimed to be an officer, presenting an ID card that identified him as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). The card, however, was a product of his forgery, intended to support his elaborate impersonation. Usman’s attempt to validate his false identity on the spot failed, ultimately revealing the depth of his deception and leading to his immediate detention. His bold act of posing as a high-ranking officer underscored the lengths he went to craft a believable facade, only to be exposed by the very force he sought to infiltrate
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 court has adjourned Yakubu Usman’s case for mention, ordering him to remain in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Center in Lagos. He will stay there until he meets the set bail conditions. This decision leaves Usman awaiting further proceedings as he faces the serious charges of impersonation and forgery for his alleged scheme to pose as an Assistant Superintendent of Police.
