Woman Faces Trial for Posing as Customs Officer, Defrauding Victims ₦34m

A 59-year-old woman, Rakiyat Musa, was arraigned on Thursday at the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Tinubu, Lagos Island, for allegedly posing as a Nigerian Customs officer and fraudulently collecting over ₦34 million under false pretences.
Musa appeared before Magistrate B. I. Amos on a four-count charge, including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, impersonation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
According to the prosecution, led by Inspector Cyriacus Osuji, the defendant and others still at large allegedly conspired to defraud several individuals between April and July 2025.
Osuji told the court that Musa collected ₦13.48 million from Damilare Sodiq, the President of Power House Cooperative in Kosofe, Lagos, claiming she would supply bags of rice and groundnut oil. She also allegedly received ₦5.35 million from Chukwudi Joshua, ₦2.6 million from Mathew Nworie, and ₦2.69 million from Okereke Johnson under similar pretences.
To support her claims, Musa allegedly presented a fake Nigerian Customs identity card to convince the victims of her supposed status. The prosecution said she knew her claims were false and also stole an additional ₦10 million from the complainants.
The offences are said to be in violation of Sections 411, 314, 287, and 380(1) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
Musa pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Magistrate Amos granted her bail in the sum of ₦2.5 million, with two sureties in the same amount. The sureties must reside in Lagos, be gainfully employed, and present proof of tax payments to the state government. Their addresses will also be verified.
In addition, Musa is required to deposit ₦500,000 as part of her bail conditions.
The case was adjourned to August 11, 2025, for mention.