Fake soldier jailed seven years

One of the fake soldiers paraded by the police on Tuesday has been jailed seven years for impersonation.

The defendant, Israel Amuzu (24), was sentenced to jail with hard labour on three counts charges of impersonation.

 He pleaded guilty on all the charges.
The other defendants, Joseph Jidai, John Henry Musa, Azubuike Peter, Obi Chinyere Steaphen, Paul Ohalate, Sulaiman Raheem, Hammed Gbadamosi and Oguntamu Abiola were remanded with option of bail in the sum of N500,000 and two surties in like sum each.

The prosecutor, Inspector O. Festus in his charge said: "on the 17th day of Apirl 2014, 17th day of May and 15th day of May 2014, between the hours of 1200hrs and 1800hrs, at FESTAC and Abule Oshun areas of Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did found unlawfully wearing Army uniform and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 79 (a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State Nigeria 2011.
"On the same date, time and place, at the aforementioned magisterial district did impersonate the Nigerian Army before the general public by presentation you know to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 378 (I) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.
"On the same date, time and place, at the aforementioned magisterial district as a civilian did impersonate members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Nigerian Police and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 77 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011".
The other defendants pleaded not guilty to the above counts.
The Chief Magistrate of Apapa court 1, P.A Ojo adjourned the matter to June 25.