…suspects allegedly used fake identities of public officials to promise government appointments
The Delta State Police Command has arrested three suspected fraudsters accused of impersonating senior government officials to defraud members of the public, including a community leader who allegedly lost ₦5.475 million in a scheme involving a fictitious appointment.
The suspects, identified as Aghogho Okpogbodu, 51; Moses Exist, 48; and Benjamin Owah, 49, were arrested following an investigation by detectives attached to the Effurun Area Command.
The police said the suspects allegedly operated a fraud scheme in which they posed as prominent government officials to deceive unsuspecting victims with promises of employment, political appointments and access to other government privileges.
According to a press release issued on October 20, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly used SIM cards purportedly registered under the identities of prominent public officials.
Those allegedly impersonated included Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Chief Hon. Onoriode Sunday, identified in the statement as Director of Protocol to the Governor of Delta State; and Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo, identified as Chief of Staff to the Delta State Governor, among others.
The suspects allegedly exploited caller-identification applications, which display names associated with incoming telephone numbers, to make their calls appear to originate from the public officials they purported to represent.
### Community Leader Loses ₦5.475 Million
In one of the alleged fraudulent transactions, the suspects reportedly impersonated the Director of Protocol to the Delta State Governor and approached a community leader from Otu-Jeremi with a promise to facilitate his appointment as President-General of the community.
The police alleged that the victim was deceived into parting with ₦5,475,000 under the false pretence of securing the appointment.
The case subsequently prompted an investigation that led to the arrest of the three suspects.
### Phones, 17 SIM Cards, ATM Cards Recovered
A search conducted at the suspects’ premises reportedly resulted in the recovery of seven mobile phones, 17 SIM cards and 12 ATM cards bearing the names of different account holders.
The police also recovered a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal and documents containing financial and identification information belonging to various individuals.
Investigators are working to establish the origin and intended use of the recovered items, identify other possible victims and determine whether additional individuals were involved in the alleged scheme.
### CP Warns Against Fake Government Appointment Offers
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, cautioned members of the public against relying solely on caller-identification applications to establish the identity of callers, particularly when they make financial demands or offer government appointments.
He urged residents who may have fallen victim to the suspects or similar schemes to come forward with credible information that could assist the ongoing investigation.
Erale reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating fraud and ensuring that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
The police advised members of the public to independently verify claims of government appointments and other official privileges through appropriate government channels before making payments or sharing sensitive financial information.
