The police on Monday arraigned Abdulhazeez Aliyu of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Bauchi State, in Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, on charges of extortion and impersonation.
Aliyu is standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal breach of trust, extortion and impersonation.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Abu Okpanachi, told the court that Gideon Egbudulam of Owerri, Imo State, reported the matter at the Area Command Metro Station, Maitama on March 27.
Okpanachi said Aliyu presented himself to the complainant as a police officer attached to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory in June 2012.
“Aliyu collected N2 million from the complainant with a promise to help him to facilitate the release of documents for five hectares.
“Aliyu also promised to help Egbudulam to facilitate the release of his twenty containers of goods seized by the Nigerian Customs Service.’’
The prosecutor said that during investigations, the accused confessed to committing the offence which contravened sections 312, 292 and 132 of the Penal Code.
Aliyu, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
His counsel, Mrs Halima Mohammed, prayed the court to grant bail to her client on liberal terms.
Mohammed said her client worked with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and knows the implication of jumping bail.
The Magistrate, Mrs Ramatu Gulma, said the court was satisfied that the accused would be available to stand trial, would not temper with investigations or commit similar offence while on bail.
She granted the accused bail in sum of N3 million with one surety in like sum, saying the surety should be resident within Abuja Municipal Area Council.
Gulma said the surety must be a civil servant not lower than G.L.08 and furnish the court with letters of first appointment and last promotion.
She adjourned the case to Dec. 3 for hearing.