A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday remanded an impersonation suspect, Bada Azeez Ayoola, in prison custody following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo made the order after Ayoola, 38, pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of impersonation, false pretence and making of false statement to the EFCC.

The commission, in a charge marked FHC/L/172c/18, alleged that the defendant, of 55, Muyiwa Opaleye Street, Sanya, Surulere, Lagos, claimed to be a lawyer with a company named Bada Azeez Ayoola & Co, Legal and Property Consultant.

On November 9, 2015 at Surulere, while posing as a lawyer, Ayoola allegedly issued an official receipt in his company name to Miss Chioma Okolie, evidencing payment for rent.

The court heard that the defendant, on February 26, at the Ikoyi office of the EFCC, made a statement that he was a lawyer and rendered legal services to Miss Chioma Okolie, which he knew to be false.

The defendant also allegedly claimed to be a graduate of Estate Management from the Lagos State Polytechnic.

Prosecution counsel Mr. Temitope Banjo said the offences contravened sections 5, 8(b), 6(a), of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006.

The defendant also allegedly violated Section 109(a)(b) of the Criminal Act, 2007 as well as sections 16(1), 32(2) and 16(2) of the EFCC Act of 2004.

Ayoola pleaded not guilty.

His counsel, A. I. Iwowo, prayed the court for a short date for the defendant’s bail application to be heard.

The EFCC did not oppose him.

Justice Oguntoyinbo adjourned till November 22 for hearing of the bail application.