The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Christian Efe Oyovweyho alias Femi Adesina before Justice Z.B Abubakar of the Federal High Court Kano on a 2-count charge of obtaining by false pretence.

The accused person allegedly impersonated the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammad Buhari, Femi Adesina and attempted to obtain the sum of N300,000 from a professor of Economics at the Bayero University Kano, Dalhatu Galadanci.

Galadanci said Oyovweyho had contacted him sometime in July 2016, claiming to be Femi Adesina.

He said that the impersonator claimed that the professor’s name has been forwarded for appointment in the presidency and that he should make a payment of N300,000 to facilitate the appointment either to the Nigeria Ports Authority or the Nigerian Railway Cooperation and Rural Electrification.

The professor subsequently got suspicious and reported the matter to the EFCC.

After the charge had been read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

Prosecution counsel Musa Isah requested a date for trial in view of the plea of defendant. Counsel representing the defendant, T.M Oyedema however brought a motion for bail, praying the court to admit his client to bail pending the hearing and determination of the case.

Justice Zainab granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 and two sureties in like sum.

The trial judge ordered that one of the sureties must be a state or federal government official not below grade level 8 and must be a respected member of the society with a landed property within the jurisdiction.

Also certificate of Occupancy in respect of the landed property shall be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.

The case was then adjourned to 11th April, 2017 for commencement of trial while the defendant is to remain in prison custody pending when he meets his bail terms.