The police have arraigned 25-year-old suspected fake First Bank official before an Abuja Magistrate's Court for alleged impersonation and cheating.Alex Abiodun James of Plot 319, Airport Road, Abuja, was accused of deceiving one Uzoama Joseph of No 9, Mambila Street, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, by collecting N250,000 with the promise to assist him open a current account in First Bank.

He was said to have paraded himself as an official of the bank and promised to help the complainant secure a N9 million loan from the bank.

Police Prosecutor, Yilkudi Dungji, told the court that on August 13, one Uzoama Joseph reported to the police that the accused collected N250,000 from him without opening any account for him.

"The accused dishonestly converted the said money to his own use without opening any account for the complainant in the bank and committed offences punishable under Sections 132 and 322 of the Penal Code," the prosecutor said.

He also told the court that during police investigations, the accused confessed to have collected the said money, adding that N65,000 was recovered from his possession.

When the charges were read to the accused, he denied them and requested for bail, which was objected to by the prosecutor on the grounds that the accused may jump bail, if granted.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Ademuyiwa Oyeyipo granted the accused bail in the sum N200,000 with a reliable surety in like sum, who must be a civil servant of not below grade level 12 and reside within the court's jurisdiction.

The case was adjourned to September 29 for hearing.