Man allegedly impersonates deceased landlord’s son to claim his estates, bank deposit

A Nigerian man, Ikechukwu Igwegbe Ilodinru has been arrested by the Anambra state command of Nigeria Police for allegedly impersonating his dead landlord’s son with the intention of claiming his estates and bank deposit.

Spokesperson of the state police command, Haruna Mohammed said the 43-year-old suspect who hails from Onneh village in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra, approached the probate Registry of the State High Court in Awka and started processing for a letter of admin in respect of a deceased person namely; late Okafor Osuokwu Anthony.

He presented himself as the deceased’s first and only Son in order to obtain the document which would have given him access to the deceased property, estates, and bank deposit.

‘‘Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect equally swore to an oath under false pretense that he is the deceased’s biological son. The suspect also obtained a forged death certificate allegedly from the National Population Commission stating that the deceased whose actual death took place on 27th of July 2020, occurred on the 23rd of July 2020.

“He quickly rushed to Union bank to withdraw the deceased’s deposit, but was advised to get a letter of administration; The suspect who voluntarily confessed to the crime, was a tenant in the deceased’s house at Igboukwu and impersonated the deceased’s first son who lives in Zaria, Kaduna state.’‘ the spokesperson said.

Haruna said exhibits recovered in his possession include alleged forged dead certificate of the deceased, false sworn declaration as the deceased’s next of kin, and sworn affidavit in the High Court, Awka. The police spokesperson while stating that an investigation is ongoing, added the suspect would be charged to court for prosecution.