The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), has prosecuted and secured the conviction of Mr. Joseph Kola Bamigboye for impersonation and fraud.
Bamigboye pleaded guilty to two count charges of falsely representing himself as an officer of LASBCA, an act deemed illegal and punishable under Section 380(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
According to a statement by LASBCA, the convict was arrested on October 26, 2024, at about 10:00 a.m. at No. 11 Adedipe Street, off Liasu Road, Council Bus Stop, Egbe-Idimu, Lagos.
He was convicted for fraudulently and unlawfully obtaining the sum of ₦20,000 from Mr. Emmanuel Chibueze Oyida, a developer at the said address, by fraudulently posing as a LASBCA official.
LASBCA stated that the offence violated Section 314(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
During the court proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Peter Owalabani, presented evidence proving that the defendant had, on separate occasions, collected a total sum of ₦100,000 from the complainant.
Further investigations revealed that Bamigboye had a fake Lagos State staff ID card, further confirming his fraudulent activities.
After trial, he was then sentenced to one year and six months imprisonment with no option of a fine.
The District Head of LASBCA for Egbe-ldimu, Mrs. Olorunshola Kafayat Omowunmi, who was also present in court as a witness stated that the agency had received multiple complaints about impostors operating within the District.
She confirmed that after Chibueze reported the incident, it was verified that the defendant was not a LASBCA staff member and was prosecuted accordingly.
