An Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday sentenced an impostor Army General Bolarinwa Abiodun, whose real name is Hassan Ayinde, to seven years in prison for impersonation and ?266.5 million extortion.
The convict posed as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to achieve the ?266.5 million fraud.
Abiodun pleaded guilty to an amended 13-count charge fringing on obtaining money under pretenses and fraud, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned him yesterday.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo convicted Abiodun without an option of a fine, following his criminal plea.
“The defendant who portrayed himself to be an Army General who fabricated the signature of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo and current President Muhammad Buhari in defrauding and acquiring by pretenses to the victim.
“He so refined the scam by the level of his education, that one wonders whether such an individual should be allowed to work scot-free. It is so sad that people like this have given our dear country a terrible name.
“I hereby sentence you Bolarinwa Abiodun to seven (7) years imprisonment without an option of a fine.
“The criminal should pay N20 million to the victim and his First Bank Account with number 3050622693 used in achieving the fraud be closed.
“He is to also lose his building at No.1 Joke Ayo St., Alagbado.
“His four automobiles, Black Range Rover, Black BMW car, Black Toyota Land Cruiser, and White Toyota Hilux with registration no Lagos KTU 985 ET which were reclaimed from him are to be forfeited,” the judge told.
The EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, submitted that he fabricated the signature of Obasanjo and the signature of President Muhammad Buhari in extorting his victim of ?266.5 million.
The prosecution delivered that the defendant fabricated a letter of appointment as Chief Of Army Staff, dated May 20, 2020, and purportedly said the document originated from The Presidency.