ABUJA, NIGERIA — In a bizarre case of multi-layered identity fraud, a man who masqueraded both as a Nigerian Air Force officer and an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has pleaded guilty to federal impersonation charges.
The suspect, Salifu Olije Mustapha, was arraigned on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, before Justice Anna I. Akobi at the FCT High Court sitting in Kubwa. Facing a swift wrap-up to his criminal enterprise, Mustapha pleaded guilty to all four counts brought against him, choosing not to contest the overwhelming evidence gathered by anti-graft investigators.
The Extortion Ring Exposed
According to official court filings and statements from EFCC Spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Mustapha’s multi-layered hustle came crashing down following targeted, actionable intelligence. Investigators tracked the suspect down as he actively terrorized residents, operating an illegal extortion ring in the heart of the nation’s capital.
Mustapha was caught red-handed wearing a fabricated EFCC operational uniform. Alongside two accomplices, he had been cornering, harassing, and extorting unsuspecting motorists and pedestrians under the guise of conducting official anti-corruption sweeps.
Double Identities and Getaway Cars
The formal charge sheet details how deeply the deception ran. The prosecution revealed that in March 2026, Mustapha added military fraud to his repertoire, falsely presenting himself as a Nigerian Air Force officer to legitimize his criminal network.
The second count of the charge sheet outlines a highly coordinated syndicate operation:
“That you, Salifu Olije Mustapha sometime in March 2026… while falsely pretending to be a Nigerian Air Force officer did abet the duo of Abubakar (now at large) and Haruna Mamuda… by conveying them fully dressed in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s operational uniforms as operatives of Commission in a Toyota Corolla with Registration No. KTU399GT to Sheriff Plaza, Wuse II, Abuja to defraud unsuspecting members of the public…”
While Mustapha used his fake Air Force persona to command authority, his accomplices—dressed in stolen or replicated EFCC gear—acted as the muscle to shake down business owners and visitors at the popular Wuse II commercial hub.
Judicial Backlash and Next Steps
Following the reading of the four-count charge, which borders directly on criminal impersonation, false representation, and abetment under Section 84(c) and Section 132 of the Penal Code Act, the defendant entered a straight “guilty” plea.
EFCC prosecution counsel, R.U. Adaga, immediately moved for a summary conviction, requesting the court to hand down maximum sentencing based on the swift confession.
Justice Akobi has deferred final judgement, adjourning the matter to June 1, 2026, for formal sentencing.
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While Mustapha awaits his fate in custody, the dragnet remains open. One accomplice, identified simply as Abubakar, remains at large, while the second co-conspirator, Haruna Mamuda, is currently being interrogated by a sister law enforcement agency. The EFCC has reiterated its warning to the public to remain vigilant and verify the identities of field officers, promising an uncompromising crackdown on syndicate rings attempting to weaponize the Commission’s identity for extortion.
You can check out this report detailing the EFCC’s stance against corruption to understand the anti-graft agency’s ongoing legal battles and strict prosecution protocols.
