Justice A. I. Akobi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kubwa, Abuja, has fixed June 15, 2026, for judgment in the trial of Salifu Olije Mustapha, who is facing charges of criminal impersonation and extortion.
At Monday’s proceedings, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented its first prosecution witness, Stanley Ujilibo, an investigator with the anti-graft agency.
Testifying before the court, Ujilibo said the EFCC received intelligence reports indicating that Mustapha and two accomplices, identified as Haruna Mamuda Adamu and Abubakar Umar Hamisu, allegedly posed as EFCC operatives and extorted money from unsuspecting youths in Abuja.
According to the witness, the suspects dressed in fake EFCC operational uniforms and used the defendant’s Toyota Corolla, bearing registration number KTU-399-GT, to carry out their activities around Sherif Plaza in Wuse 2.
He further told the court that proceeds from the alleged criminal operation were shared among the suspects, with Mustapha’s portion reportedly paid into his account with Moniepoint Microfinance Bank.
The witness disclosed that investigators obtained the defendant’s bank statement, account opening documents and certificate of identification from the financial institution as part of the investigation.
During the hearing, prosecution counsel, R.U. Adagba, tendered several documents and video recordings allegedly captured by eyewitnesses during one of the incidents. The court admitted the materials in evidence and marked them as Exhibits A to D.
Counsel to the defendant, John Ainetor, requested a short adjournment to enable him review the evidence presented by the prosecution and cross-examine the witness.
Mustapha is being prosecuted on a four-count charge bordering on criminal impersonation. He had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges upon arraignment.
Following the proceedings, Justice Akobi adjourned the matter until June 15, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination and sentencing of the defendant.
