A Shari’a Court sitting in the Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State has sentenced a 33-year-old man, Nasiru Shitu, to eight months’ imprisonment for impersonating a police officer.
Shitu was arrested on Sunday, September 21, 2025, around 5:00 p.m. at Kofar Dawanau, after he was caught wearing a police uniform and presenting himself as an officer of the Nigeria Police Force.
He was subsequently arraigned before the court by the prosecution counsel, Barrister Zaharaddeen Mustapha, on a one-count charge of impersonation, to which he pleaded guilty.
Delivering judgment, the presiding judge, Khadi Nasiru Ahmad Muhammad, convicted Shitu and sentenced him to eight months in prison, with an option of a ₦70,000 fine.
In his ruling, Khadi Muhammad cautioned members of the public against impersonating security personnel or engaging in acts capable of misleading others.
“Impersonating a police officer is a serious offence that erodes public trust in law enforcement. The court will continue to impose appropriate sanctions to deter such misconduct,” the judge stated.
The court’s decision highlights the judiciary’s stance on safeguarding the credibility of security institutions and protecting citizens from deception and abuse by impostors.
Legal Insight: Impersonation Under Nigerian Law
Under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Act, any person who, with intent to defraud or gain advantage, falsely represents himself to be a person holding an office or authority under the government commits the offence of impersonation.
The offence is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years, depending on the circumstances and the court’s discretion.
Similarly, the Penal Code (applicable in Northern Nigeria) prescribes penalties for false personation of public officers, particularly when such actions are likely to cause harm, mislead the public, or obstruct the course of justice.
The ruling in Shitu’s case therefore serves as a legal reminder that impersonating law enforcement officers is not only deceptive but criminally prosecutable under Nigerian law.
