Delta Police Arrest Three For Impersonating SGF Akume, Oborevwori’s Protocol Director To Defraud Community Leader Of N5.4m

The Delta State Police Command has arrested three suspected fraudsters who allegedly impersonated top government officials to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The suspects – Aghogho Okpogbodu, 51, Moses Exist, 48, and Benjamin Owah, 49, were arrested by detectives attached to the Area Command, Effurun.

Police said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly used SIM cards registered under identities of prominent public officials including Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); Chief Hon. Onoriode Sunday, Director of Protocol to the Governor of Delta State; and Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo, Chief of Staff to the Governor.

They also allegedly exploited caller-identification apps on mobile phones to make their calls display names of the officials they were impersonating.

In one operation, the suspects allegedly impersonated the Director of Protocol to the Governor and defrauded a community leader from Otu-Jeremi of N5,475,000 under the false pretence of facilitating his appointment as President-General of the community.

A search of their premises led to recovery of seven mobile phones, 17 SIM cards, 12 ATM cards bearing different account holders’ names, one Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal and documents containing financial and identification information belonging to different individuals.

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Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, cautioned members of the public against relying on caller-ID apps as proof of caller identity, particularly where financial demands or promises of government appointments are involved.

He urged victims of similar schemes to come forward with credible information, adding that investigation is ongoing to identify other victims and accomplices.

Spokesman of the Command, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Monday, October 20, 2026.