About 10 men were on Wednesday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court Ibadan, Oyo State, over alleged internet impersonation.

They are Emmanuel James, 26, Joshua Aderounmu, 27, Emmanuel Adepoju, 18, Emmanuel Adedayo, 25, Olawale Olamilekan, 25, Philip Asuquo 19, Opeyemi Jamiu 24, Emmanuel Fasugba 23, Abdulhamid Raji 20 and Kehinde Lawal, 25.

They were charged with a 10-count charge bordering on impersonation, to which they pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Adeshina Folaranmi, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on November 25, at about 9.00 a.m, at Apete, Ibadan.

Mr Folaranmi alleged that James with the intent to defraud, falsely represented himself on Google as Grath James, a white man living in the United States.

He alleged that Aderounmu and other defendants also falsely presented themselves on Facebook as white people with foreign numbers, with an intent to defraud unsuspecting public.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 484 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Magistrate, Oluwabusayo Osho granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each and two sureties each in like sum.

She adjourned the case until March 3, 2026, for hearing. 

(NAN)