Fake army Major jailed one year for defrauding hospital worker

A man, Musa Jimoh, was on Thursday, jailed for a year and four months by Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences Court for impersonating a Nigerian Army Major and possessing fraudulent documents.

The judge held that the circumstances of the case were particularly grave.

“Your conduct evinces a calculated and sophisticated approach to criminality that warrants serious consideration by this court.

What makes this offence especially egregious is its genesis within a hospital setting.

“Your method demonstrated careful premeditation —presenting yourself as a captain in the Nigerian Army attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“This false representation not only deceived your victims but also struck at the heart of public confidence in our military institutions. Of particular concern is the sophisticated nature of your fraudulent documentation,” Oshodi said.

According to Justice Oshodi, the materials in his possession —purported EFCC candidate lists, fabricated application forms, and most notably, a counterfeit Nigerian Army identity card bearing his photograph with the rank of Major— demonstrated considerable technical sophistication.

“Your admission to creating these documents using computer equipment in Kogi State reveals your enterprise’s geographic scope and technical nature. Your subsequent conduct has only compounded the gravity of your offence.

“You absconded after being granted administrative bail in 2020, necessitating your re-arrest on August 19, 2024.

“This behaviour demonstrates a patent disregard for the administration of justice and requires the additional deployment of law enforcement resources,” he said.

Earlier when the convict was arraigned, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission accused him of possessing fraudulent documents.

The anti-graft agency stated that Jimoh had in his possession a document containing false pretence titled: Final list of successful candidates into the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and falsely represented himself as a Major in the Nigerian Army, with connections capable of securing jobs for people in the  EFCC, a representation he knew or ought to have known was false.

The offence committed contravened Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

However, Jimoh pleaded guilty to the one count brought against him.

Consequently, the facts of the case were reviewed by an operative of the EFCC.

An operative of the EFCC, Saidu Abubakar, narrated to the court how the incident began at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, where Jimoh had sought medical attention for his wife.

He said the convict encountered a healthcare worker in LUTH, Yusuf Olajire (the petitioner),  who had attended to the convict’s wife.

According to the witness, following his wife’s discharge, Jimoh embarked upon an elaborate deception, presenting himself as a captain in the Nigerian Army attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“He claimed to possess sufficient influence to secure positions within several prestigious institutions—the Nigerian military, Customs Service, and Immigration Service— and facilitate admissions to the Nigerian Defence Academy.

“The convict’s representations proved compelling enough to attract the interest of both the petitioner and his colleagues, who sought opportunities for their family members.”

In the judgment, the judge held that Jimoh solicited payments to facilitate these purported placements to advance his scheme.

“The evidence showed that a total sum of N8,017,700 was paid into various accounts provided by the convict, with additional sums paid in cash, as testified by PW1. When the convict became unreachable, the petitioner was compelled to file a petition with the

EFCC, leading to his initial arrest on March 4, 2020.

“PW1, who participated in the convict’s interview, testified that Jimoh absconded following release on administrative bail.

“The authorities subsequently tracked and re-arrested him on August 19, 2024. Upon re-arrest, investigators discovered several incriminating items: a purported list of successful EFCC candidates, fraudulent EFCC application forms, a Nigeria Customs Service appointment letter in the name of Khadijah Musa Ometere, and notably, a counterfeit Nigerian Army identity card bearing the defendant’s photograph with the rank  of Major.

“During questioning, the convict admitted to creating these  documents using computer equipment in Kogi State,” Oshodi said.

The judge also noted Jimoh’s acceptance of responsibility but stressed the gravity of his offence and disregard for justice.

“I have considered your counsel’s submission for a non-custodial sentence but must reject it,” Oshodi ruled.

“Accordingly, I sentence you to one year and four months imprisonment.

“You shall also be registered in the Offenders’ Biometrics Scheme maintained by the Lagos State Judiciary.”

Additionally, the court directed that the manager’s cheque submitted as Exhibit F be used as restitution for Olajire and his colleagues.