The Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, has arraigned Essien Akpama before the Federal High Court in Lagos on charges of identity theft, impersonation and cyber-enabled fraud.
Akpama, who appeared before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa on Monday, is facing charges under case number FHC/L/186c/2026.
Prosecuting counsel, Morufu Animashaun, informed the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences in 2025 at the local wing of Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The prosecution accused Essien Akpama of impersonating two Brazilian nationals, Jose Carlos and Joseph Belotti, using his Facebook account to carry out the fraudulent activities.
According to the charge, Akpama allegedly defrauded a victim, Linda Schnur, of several high-end electronic gadgets and cash.
The items allegedly stolen include:Â A MacBook Pro 14 laptop, an iPhone 17 Pro Max, two Google pixel 10 Pro XI phones, one Google Pixel 10 Pro phone and the the sum of N1.6 million and $5, 000 in cash
The prosecutor stated that the alleged actions contravened Section 484 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Section 14 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Akpama pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following his plea, the prosecutor requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Centre pending the outcome of the case.
The defendant’s counsel requested that Akpama be granted bail on liberal terms, assuring the court that he would not flee and would make himself available for trial.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted bail in the sum of N2 million with one surety in like sum.
The surety must either be a landed property owner within the jurisdiction or a public servant on Grade Level 14 or its equivalent.
While bail was granted, Akpama was ordered to remain in the Correctional Centre until the bail conditions were met.
The case was adjourned to March 27, 2026, for trial.
