Rakiyat Musa, 59, was arraigned on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Tinubu, Lagos Island. She’s charged with impersonating a Nigerian Customs officer and allegedly defrauding victims of approximately ₦34,116,000, through a scheme involving false promises of rice and groundnut oil supplies.
What Happened
Musa faces four counts: conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, theft, impersonation, and conduct likely to cause breach of peace. Between April and July 2025, she is accused of collecting:
- ₦13.48M from Damilare Sodiq, president of Power House Cooperative, Kosofe;
- ₦5.35M from Chukwudi Joshua;
- ₦2.6M from Matthew Nworie;
- ₦2.686M from Okereke Johnson.
The prosecutor, Inspector Cyriacus Osuji, says Musa “posed as a Nigerian Customs officer and showed victims an identity card” to gain trust. It’s alleged she also misappropriated an extra ₦10 million, pushing the total over ₦34 million.
Flashback: A Pattern of Fraud
This isn’t Musa’s debut in the court docket. She was previously arrested in June 2023 following petitions from victims in Lagos and Abuja. Investigators discovered she’d impersonated a Customs officer for over 15 years, defrauding people of millions—₦3.2M in one instance—under the guise of sourcing auction vehicles from Tin Can Port. She lived in a Nigeria Air Force Mess to authenticate her story. Investigators later seized fake Customs ID cards and other forged credentials.
Her arrest came after a thorough police investigation, prompted by complaints against her and assisted by a retired naval officer who introduced her to victims. During interrogation, Musa reportedly confessed: “I’ve been impersonating … to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.”.
Court Proceedings & Bail Conditions
When charged on July 24, 2025, Musa pleaded not guilty. Magistrate B. I. Amos granted bail at ₦2.5 million, with two sureties of equivalent sum. Conditions:
- Sureties must reside in Lagos, be gainfully employed, show proof of Lagos State tax payment, and have verifiable addresses.
- Musa must deposit ₦500,000 as part of bail terms.
The case is adjourned to August 11, 2025, for mention.
Investigative & Human‑Interest Angle
Contradictions & Concerns
There’s a discrepancy: despite her confessed long history of impersonation, Musa pleaded not guilty to current charges. That contrast hints at possible defense strategies—perhaps claiming coercion, identity theft, or diminished mental awareness.
Wider Scam Threat
The Nigeria Customs Service recently issued a stern warning in June 2025 about surging scams involving impersonators advertising fake auctions and recruitment via social media. These scams often use fabricated documents and images of senior officials to lure victims
Musa remains at large under bail, innocence claimed. The August 11 hearing could prove pivotal. Until then, we await further developments—and perhaps a deeper look into alleged accomplices still at large.
If new updates emerge, I’ll bring them to you.
