Fake "The News Magazine" Editor Arrested

A man, identified as Segun Odofin, who has been
parading himself as the Assistant Editor of The
News magazine was on Sunday arrested at a
reception in honour of the immediate past
Controller General of Nigeria Security and Civil
Defence Corps, NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin in
Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
The suspect was invited outside the hall to explain
himself to members of the Ogun State
Correspondent Chapel led by its Chairman, Kunle
Olayeni was later arrested for impersonation.
One of the correspondents who alerted other
colleagues upon sighting the fake practitioner
reported that the suspect has been parading
himself as journalist for long, adding that, his cup
was full today.
Another colleague disclosed that Odofin was also
seen on Saturday at the funeral ceremony of
Senator Olorunmibe Mamora’s mother, Madam
Elizabeth Adesola Mamora in Ijebu Ife in Ijebu East
local government area of the state.
He explained that he overheard people complaining
at the funeral ceremony that the suspect had taken
some money from them with the promise to help
publish a story but ran away when attempts were
made to arrest him.
When he was accused at the programme, the fake
Journalist who showed an Identity Card with
inscription of ‘The News Magazine’, boasted that
he has been practicing journalism years before
many of the journalists present at the venue began
work, adding that, he started his practice with
Nigerian Tribune newspaper.
A call was immediately put across to the State
Correspondent of PM News/The News magazine,
Abiodun Onafuye, who dismissed all claims by
Odofin.
The suspect who later claimed to be a freelancer
was immediately handed over to the officers of
NSCDC who transferred him to the Ibara Divisional
Police Headquarters of Nigerian Police in Ibara,
Abeokuta.
Odofin, upon hearing that Onafuye was on his way
to the police station confessed to have printed the
ID Card himself claiming that he started
impersonating the media outfit because of ‘a
challenge’.
A further check revealed that the same man has
passed a note across to the Deputy Controller
General of the Corps demanding monetary
gratification for covering the event.
The note which was later passed to the journalists
read, “Press: Our Dear DCG, we are the gentlemen
of the Press that came to cover the ceremony. We
highly recognise your presence and we hold you in
high esteem. Kindly Sir, put smiles on our faces to
make our journey back to Lagos. We are five press
men. Thanks”.
Meanwhile, the police have assured that he would
be charged to court for impersonation, forgery and
obtaining money under false pretence.

[PM News]