An unemployed man, Babatunde Ajibola, 47, was on Wednesday docked at a Dutse Magistrates’ Court in Abuja for allegedly impersonating an official of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
The police charged Ajibola with criminal conspiracy, false personation and extortion. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Prosecution Counsel, Julianna Atinko, alleged that Ajibola committed the offences on Sept. 22 at Brick City Estate, Byazhin, Abuja.
Atinko said an AEDC staff member, Nelson Fidelis, reported the matter at the Byazhin Divisional Police Station on the same day.
She said Fidelis and his team were on official duty within the estate when they encountered Ajibola, one Lukman and others, who are still at large.
According to the prosecutor, Ajibola collected N30,000 from a resident, Muntari Abashe, for meter installation.
She further alleged that Ajibola and his accomplices had earlier extorted money from other residents within and outside the estate, claiming to be AEDC staff from the company’s Gwarinpa office.
Atinko said the total amount allegedly collected from the residents was yet to be ascertained.
She further alleged that the defendant was found with screwdrivers, an electric thermometer and a T-shirt bearing AEDC’s name.
The prosecutor told the court that Ajibola confessed during police investigation to committing the alleged offences.
The police said the offences contravened Sections 97, 179 and 292 of the Penal Code Law.
The Senior Magistrate, Ibrahim Alkali, ordered that Ajibola be remanded in police custody.
The court adjourned the matter until Nov. 4 for hearing.
