A 31-year-old woman, Funke Femiloba, has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Lagos on charges of impersonating OPay Digital Services Limited and obtaining money from members of the public under false pretence. The arraignment took place on September 24, 2026, and Femiloba was charged with a four-count offence. The case, numbered MIK/P/53/26, alleges that Femiloba conspired with others to commit a felony.
According to the police, Femiloba and her accomplices, who are currently at large, conspired to obtain money by false pretence and falsely represented herself as a staff member of OPay Digital Services Limited. The court has ordered that Femiloba be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service. The case has been adjourned until November 30, 2026, for hearing. The police alleged that the defendant and her accomplices committed the offence in Ikeja, Lagos, sometime in September 2026.
The first count of the charge alleges that Femiloba and her accomplices conspired to commit a felony, namely obtaining by false pretence, contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015. The second count accuses Femiloba of impersonating a staff member of OPay Digital Services Limited, representing herself in a capacity she knew to be false, an offence brought under Section 78 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
The third count of the charge alleges that Femiloba and her accomplices conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by misleading members of the public, contravening Section 168(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015. The fourth count accuses Femiloba of obtaining a specific amount of money from a member of the public, an offence said to contravene Section 313 and be punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
If convicted, Femiloba faces various penalties under the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015. Section 411 provides for punishment for conspiracy to commit a felony, while Section 78 provides for punishment for impersonation. Section 168(d) provides for punishment for conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and Section 314 provides for punishment for obtaining money by false pretence.
The case highlights the issue of impersonation and obtaining money under false pretence in Nigeria. Many individuals have fallen victim to such scams, losing large sums of money to impostors. The arraignment of Femiloba sends a signal that law enforcement agencies are working to combat such crimes. The Nigerian Correctional Service will hold Femiloba until the case is heard.
The court has adjourned the case until November 30, 2026, for hearing. Key points in the case include:
Key points
- Funke Femiloba, 31, was arraigned for impersonating OPay Digital Services Limited.
- She faces four counts, including obtaining money by false pretence and impersonation.
- The case has been adjourned until November 30, 2026, for hearing.
