A 59-year-old woman named Rakiyat Musa was taken to court on Thursday, July 24, for pretending to be a customs officer. She was accused of scamming people out of more than ₦34 million. The case was heard at the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Tinubu, Lagos Island.

Musa stood before Magistrate B.I. Amos and was charged with four crimes. These included working with others to commit fraud, lying to get money, stealing, pretending to be someone she is not, and acting in a way that could cause trouble.

According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Cyriacus Osuji, the scam happened between April and July 2025. Musa and her partners, who are still on the run, tricked innocent people into giving them money.

One of the victims, Mr. Damilare Sodiq, who leads the Power House Cooperative in Kosofe, Lagos, was promised bags of rice and groundnut oil. He gave Musa ₦13.48 million.

Other victims also lost large amounts of money. Mr. Chukwudi Joshua gave her ₦5.35 million, Mr. Mathew Nworie lost ₦2.6 million, and Mr. Okereke Johnson was scammed of ₦2.686 million.

To make her story believable, Musa told them she worked for the Nigerian Customs. She even showed them a fake ID card to prove it. But the police say she was never a customs officer.

Inspector Osuji added that Musa also stole another ₦10 million from her victims.

These crimes go against Sections 411, 314, 287, and 380(1) of Lagos State’s criminal laws made in 2015.

When the court asked if she was guilty, Musa said she was not.

After her plea, Magistrate Amos said she could be released on bail for ₦2.5 million. She must bring two people who will guarantee she returns to court. These guarantors must live in Lagos, have jobs, and show proof that they pay taxes. The court will also check their home addresses.

Musa must also pay ₦500,000 as part of the bail conditions.

The case was postponed and will be talked about again on August 11, 2025.