Police dock alleged impersonator of Aisha, President Buhari’s wife

THE Police on Friday arraigned one Aishatu Mohammed Bello before a Chief Magistrate Court, sitting in Wuse II, Abuja for allegedly impersonating the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari.

She was specifically accused of sending a text message to the national project coordinator of Fadama III, Mr Tayo Adewumi to seek a contract, using the name of the wife of the President.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), dated 19th January 2018, the Police accused Aishatu Mohammed Bello of false personation, an offence which the Police said is contrary to Section 179 of the Penal Code Law.

The Police Information Report said on, “January 1, 2018, at about 15.40 hours, one Goni Malau Bakar ‘M’ of Fadama House, No. 1, Evarest Close, Wuse II, Abuja reported to Maitama Police Station and the said complainant was later transferred to the CIID, FCT Police Command, Abuja against you, Aishatu Mohammed Bello ‘F’ of Durumi village, Abuja.

“That his boss, the national project coordinator of Fadama III, Mr Tayo Adewumi received a text message from you, Aishatu Mohammed Bello indicating that you are sent by the wife of Mr President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, requesting for assistance to issue you a contract.

“During the cause of investigation, it was discovered that the wife of Mr President did not send you to the Fadama III boss to secure a contract”, the FIR, signed by Sgt Ejah Matthew stated.

When the FIR was read to the defendant, she pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against her and the Police lawyer, Adama Musa asked the court for a date to commence trial in the matter and left the issue of the defendant’s bail at the discretion of the court.

The defence counsel, Olatunji Salawu, in his submission, prayed the court to admit the defendant on bail pending the trial of the case.

He said, the defendant, who had pleaded not guilty to the charge against her, had spent ten days in Police custody.

After hearing the submissions of parties in the matter, Chief Magistrate Yetunde Onibanjo admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N800, 000, with two sureties in like sum.

One surety, the court said must be a civil servant, of not less grade level 14, who must submit his appointment letter, last promotion letter and his work Identity Card to the registrar of the court.

The second surety, the court also held, must be a businessman, who must produce his certificate of incorporation, place of business and address of his residence to the court and adjourned the matter till February 15, 2018, for trial.