A man, identified as Segun Odofin, who has been parading
himself as the Assistant Editor of The News magazine was on Sunday arrested at
a reception in honour of the immediate past Controller General of Nigeria
Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin in Abeokuta, the Ogun
state capital.
The suspect was invited outside the hall to explain himself
to members of the Ogun State Correspondent Chapel led by its Chairman, Kunle
Olayeni was later arrested for impersonation.
to members of the Ogun State Correspondent Chapel led by its Chairman, Kunle
Olayeni was later arrested for impersonation.
One of the correspondents who alerted other colleagues upon
sighting the fake practitioner reported that the suspect has been parading
himself as journalist for long, adding that, his cup was full today.
sighting the fake practitioner reported that the suspect has been parading
himself as journalist for long, adding that, his cup was full today.
Another colleague disclosed that Odofin was also seen on
Saturday at the funeral ceremony of Senator Olorunmibe Mamora’s mother, Madam
Elizabeth Adesola Mamora in Ijebu Ife in Ijebu East local government area of
the state.
Saturday at the funeral ceremony of Senator Olorunmibe Mamora’s mother, Madam
Elizabeth Adesola Mamora in Ijebu Ife in Ijebu East local government area of
the state.
He explained that he overheard people complaining at the
funeral ceremony that the suspect had taken some money from them with the
promise to help publish a story but ran away when attempts were made to arrest
him.
funeral ceremony that the suspect had taken some money from them with the
promise to help publish a story but ran away when attempts were made to arrest
him.
When he was accused at the programme, the fake Journalist
who showed an Identity Card with inscription of ‘The News Magazine’, boasted
that he has been practicing journalism years before many of the journalists
present at the venue began work, adding that, he started his practice with
Nigerian Tribune newspaper.
who showed an Identity Card with inscription of ‘The News Magazine’, boasted
that he has been practicing journalism years before many of the journalists
present at the venue began work, adding that, he started his practice with
Nigerian Tribune newspaper.
A call was immediately put across to the State Correspondent
of PM News/The News magazine, Abiodun Onafuye, who dismissed all claims by
Odofin.
of PM News/The News magazine, Abiodun Onafuye, who dismissed all claims by
Odofin.
The suspect who later claimed to be a freelancer was
immediately handed over to the officers of NSCDC who transferred him to the
Ibara Divisional Police Headquarters of Nigerian Police in Ibara, Abeokuta.
immediately handed over to the officers of NSCDC who transferred him to the
Ibara Divisional Police Headquarters of Nigerian Police in Ibara, Abeokuta.
Odofin, upon hearing that Onafuye was on his way to the
police station confessed to have printed the ID Card himself claiming that he
started impersonating the media outfit because of ‘a challenge’.
police station confessed to have printed the ID Card himself claiming that he
started impersonating the media outfit because of ‘a challenge’.
A further check revealed that the same man has passed a note
across to the Deputy Controller General of the Corps demanding monetary
gratification for covering the event.
across to the Deputy Controller General of the Corps demanding monetary
gratification for covering the event.
The note which was later passed to the journalists read,
“Press: Our Dear DCG, we are the gentlemen of the Press that came to cover the
ceremony. We highly recognise your presence and we hold you in high esteem. Kindly
Sir, put smiles on our faces to make our journey back to Lagos. We are five
press men. Thanks”.
“Press: Our Dear DCG, we are the gentlemen of the Press that came to cover the
ceremony. We highly recognise your presence and we hold you in high esteem. Kindly
Sir, put smiles on our faces to make our journey back to Lagos. We are five
press men. Thanks”.
Meanwhile, the police have assured that he would be charged
to court for impersonation, forgery and obtaining money under false pretence.
to court for impersonation, forgery and obtaining money under false pretence.
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