No fewer than seven men have been arraigned by the Nigerian Police before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly conspiring and impersonating as members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The defendants identified as Ndidi Ohuchukwu, 27; Owolabi Adeyemi, 47; David Olufemi, 47; Samuel Iseyin, 41; Emeka Ibe, 31; Samuel Anochime, 36; and Stephen Ebedot, 37 pleaded innocence to the charge.
The Police Prosecutor, ASP Ezekiel Ayorinde disclosed that the defendants conspired and portrayed themselves as military men by wearing full Nigerian Army Camouflage, a representation they knew to be false.
Ayorinde alleged that the defendants committed the offences with others still at large on Sept. 10 about 6.30 p.m. in Ikotun, Lagos.
“The defendants were apprehended when they could not give satisfactory ownership of the camouflage uniforms in their possession,” he said.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B. O. Osunsanmi, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum. She ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government and reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
The alleged offences contravene Sections 77(a)(b) and 411 of the Criminal laws of Lagos State 2015, (Revised). Impersonating armed forces attracts three years jail term, while conspiracy is punishable with two years imprisonment upon conviction. The Magistrate adjourned the case until Dec. 11 for mention