Mujeeb Akindoyin
A convicted fake Nigerian Army general, Bolarinwa Oluwasegun Abiodun, has reportedly been assaulted by correctional officers at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos and subsequently rushed to a military hospital for medical attention.
Bolarinwa, who is serving a seven-year prison sentence over a N266.5m fraud and forgery case, was allegedly attacked inside his cell while he was sleeping.
A source familiar with the development, who spoke to SaharaReporters, alleged that warders entered Bolarinwa’s cell and assaulted him during an operation reportedly linked to a search for a mobile phone.
According to the source, the incident left Bolarinwa injured and he was subsequently taken to the Military Hospital on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, for treatment.
A family source, who also spoke to the publication, said relatives were not present when the alleged assault occurred but were informed shortly afterwards.
The source said Bolarinwa told family members that he had been beaten and that his private parts were squeezed during the alleged assault.
“I was not there when it happened but I was informed that warders went to him to attack him. Maybe they wanted to do all sorts of things to him. They just woke him suddenly because he was sleeping. And pushed him. He fell to the ground,” the family source was quoted as saying.
“He was rushed to the Military Hospital on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi. They have taken him to the theatre and we are still waiting for the results of some tests done.
“When I got to him, he told me that they beat him and squeezed his private parts. I don’t know why they did that kind of thing to him. Maybe they wanted to kill him.”
The source further alleged that Bolarinwa had previously survived four poisoning attempts and claimed that there had been alleged plans to kill him.
However, the allegations of previous poisoning and an alleged plot to kill him could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
Bolarinwa was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in January 2022 after allegedly presenting himself as a senior Nigerian Army officer and claiming that former President Muhammadu Buhari had selected him for appointment as Chief of Army Staff.
He was subsequently arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on 13 counts bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and possession of documents containing false pretence.
The EFCC alleged that Bolarinwa obtained N266.5m from Kodef Clearing Resources Limited by falsely claiming that the money was required to “press and process” his purported appointment as Chief of Army Staff.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that he forged an appointment letter purportedly signed by Buhari, as well as a Nigerian Army identity card, a letter of recommendation purportedly signed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a certificate of confirmation and a letter of authorisation.
EFCC officials also said six pump-action guns, three cartridge bullets, a swagger stick and several forged documents were recovered from his residence in Alagbado, Lagos, when he was arrested on January 12, 2022.
However, on July 7, 2022, his lawyer, Otunba Ogunleye, informed the court that his client had decided to change his plea rather than continue with the trial.
When the 13 counts were read to him again, Bolarinwa pleaded guilty.
Justice Taiwo consequently convicted him on all 13 counts and sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of four vehicles and a property to the Federal Government for the purpose of assisting the victim in recovering the funds.
In addition, Bolarinwa was ordered to pay N20m in restitution, while his First Bank account was ordered closed.
The judge noted during sentencing that the convict had gone as far as involving former President Obasanjo and forging documents allegedly bearing the names and signatures of prominent public officials.
As of the time of filing this report, the circumstances surrounding the reported assault at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, including the identities and actions of the officers allegedly involved, had not been independently established.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
