One Joseph Bamigbola has been sentenced to 18 months jail for posing as an official of the Lagos State Building Control Agency to defraud a developer, Emmanuel Oyida, in Lagos State.

LASBCA spokesperson, Adu Ademuyiwa, in a statement on Tuesday, said that the state government, through LASBCA prosecuted and secured the conviction of Mr Bamigboye for impersonation and fraud.”

Mr Bamigboye said the convict, nabbed at about 10am on October 26, 2024, at 11, Adedipe Street, off Liasu Road, Council Bus Stop, Egbe-Idimu, pleaded guilty to two count charges of falsely representing himself as an officer of LASBCA; an act deemed illegal and punishable under Section 380(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The statement indicated, “He was convicted for fraudulently and unlawfully obtaining the sum of twenty thousand naira (₦20,000) from Mr. Emmanuel Chibueze Oyida, a developer at the said address, by fraudulently posing as a LASBCA official. This offence is in violation of Section 314(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”

Prosecuting counsel, Peter Owalabani, presented evidence proving that the defendant on separate occasions collected a total sum of ₦100,000 from the complainant  and further investigation revealed that the convict had in his possession, a fake Lagos State staff ID card.

It stated, “’Following a thorough trial, the court sentenced Mr Joseph Kola Bamigboye to one (1) year and six (6) months imprisonment with no option of fine.”

The District Head of LASBCA for Egbe-ldimu, Olorunshola Omowunmi, standing as a witness in the court, stated that the agency received multiple complaints about impostors operating within the district.

Mrs Olorunshola also confirmed that, “After Mr Emmanuel Chibueze reported the incident, it was verified that the defendant was not a LASBCA staff member and was prosecuted accordingly.”

LASBCA General Manager, Gbolahan Oki, assured that state government remained committed to protecting residents against fraudulent activities and ensuring that building regulations were enforced only by duly authorised officers.

He therefore urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to LASBCA or relevant law enforcement agencies to curb the activities of impostors.