NSCDC Arrests Fake Member Of the House Of Representatives, His Accomplices

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Professor Ahmed Audi, has ordered an investigation into the case of an individual posing as a member of the House of Representatives.

In a statement released on Tuesday, NSCDC spokesman Afolabi Babawale revealed that the Commandant General has directed the Commandant of the Special Intelligence Squad (SIS) to arrest and thoroughly investigate Hon. Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam, Obeten John, Abubakar Mohammed, and Lucky Emenike.

The four suspects face allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery, impersonation, and attempted deception of the public.

Babawale stated that preliminary investigations by the CG’s SIS revealed that Hon. Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam had been falsely representing himself as a member of the House of Representatives for the Katsina Central Constituency.

He allegedly issued official correspondence and complimentary cards bearing the inscription “Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon. Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam, Member House of Representatives, Katsina Central Constituency, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.”

Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam and the three others were apprehended after requesting a meeting with the NSCDC Commandant General under the pretence of being an Honourable Member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing the Katsina Central Constituency.

During questioning, Hon. Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam admitted to hiring a Toyota Prado SUV with registration number ABC 359 GN through a car-for-hire driver named Ismaila. The hired driver was identified as Lucky Emenike.

The suspect further confessed to requesting a security escort. Inalegwu Ameh, allegedly a Nigerian police officer on duty at the NICON Luxury Hotel, volunteered to join the team.

Investigations further revealed that the suspect and his team had made several unauthorized official and consultative visits to the Ministry of Art and Culture, Federal Secretariat Abuja, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Mataima Paracel Crescent, and Wuse Zone II, before proceeding to an automobile workshop at Jabi and then to Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam’s residence at No. 21 Bamako Street, Zone I, Abuja.

Babawale added that, continuing his identity theft efforts, Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam again requested a security escort through Lucky Emenike. Inalegwu Ameh connected Lucky Emenike with Police Inspector Obeten John, who allegedly donned a Nigerian Police uniform to act as the escort.

The three then travelled from Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam’s apartment to the Ministry of Art and Culture and the Spanish Embassy at No. 8 Bobo Close, Mataima, where they allegedly met with the Spanish Ambassador and submitted visa applications for over ten individuals, all under the guise of a House of Representatives member. They also visited the Ministry of Works and Housing in Mabushi, Abuja.

Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam and his accomplices were apprehended when they extended their scheme to the NSCDC Commandant General’s office, posing as an Honourable Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Katsina Central Constituency.

Exhibits recovered from Hon. Hassan Sani Jikan Mallam include multiple copies of complimentary cards identifying him as a “Hon. Member, House of Representatives, Katsina Central Constituency, National Assembly FCT, Abuja,” multiple copies of letterhead papers illegally branded with “National Assembly of Nigeria” used for official letters to embassies and government agencies, official dispatch envelopes labeled “National Assembly of Nigeria,” signed letters addressed to the Ambassadors of Spain, France, the Netherlands, and China, as well as letters addressed to the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s Human Resources department.

The authorities also recovered pictures of him with individuals he claimed were ambassadors of Spain and Romania.

Commandant Apollo Dandaura, Commandant of the Special Intelligence Squad (SIS), stated that the incident remains under investigation, but all suspects have confessed to varying degrees of involvement in the crimes.

He assured that diligent prosecution would follow in a court of competent jurisdiction to deter other potential offenders.

The NSCDC spokesman also advised the public to exercise vigilance in their interactions to avoid becoming victims of impostors and to report any suspicious individuals to relevant security agencies.