EFCC charges man for alleged impersonation in Lagos

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought Collins Musa Inu Umoru before Justice Daniel Osiagor at the Federal High Court located in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The defendant faces a two-count accusation related to fraudulent impersonation.

One of the charges states, “That you, COLLINS MUSA INU UMOR, between September 2024 and June 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, made a false statement by representing yourself as a white woman named ‘MIA KHALIFA’ on your Twitter account, fully aware that this was untrue and intending for it to be relied upon for the issuance of financial instruments to yourself, thus committing an offence punishable under Section 22(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.”

He entered a plea of “not guilty” to the charge.

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Fanen Anum, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed for the remand of the defendant in a correctional centre.

Responding, the defence counsel, Abdullahi Tony Daniel, informed the court of a motion on notice dated July 2, 2025, seeking the court to admit the defendant to bail.

“The defendant is a student and from a reputable family. The deponent of the affidavit is also in court and he is a business man. I pray the court to release the defendant to me pending the perfection of his bail,” he said.

Justice Osiagor admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) and one surety in like sum.

The surety must have a reasonable means of livelihood and be a relative of the defendant.

The surety must also deposit two passport photographs with the court’s Registrar.

The defendant was handed over to his lawyer, Abdullahi Tony Daniel, pending the perfection of his bail.

The matter was adjourned till November 25, 2025 for the commencement of trial.