NAN – A 27-year-old man, Friday Michael, was on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 docked at an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos state for allegedly impersonating a police officer.
The accused, whose address was not disclosed, is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on fraud and impersonation.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Babaji Ishaku, told the court that the accused allegedly stole jewellery valued N356,000.
“The accused on Aug. 7 at 11.30 a.m. did steal an English gold valued at N356,000 belonging to Mrs Anthony Comfort.
‘’The accused also impersonated a police officer by putting on the uniform and accessories,” Ishaku said.
Ishaku said the offences were committed by Michael’s former wife, who is currently at large.
“I gathered from Michael that the complainant employed his former wife, Evelyn, who had left him few years back.
“In a bid to trace the wife, his number was discovered so they planned to meet with him in the front of a police station,” she told the court.
She added that Michael had a Man-O-War uniform on when he arrived at the station and not a police uniform as alleged.
“He was apprehended on arrival and charged to court,” she said.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 285, 409 and 77 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 77 stipulates that any civilian who with intent that he may be taken to be a member of the Armed forces of Nigeria or a member of the Police wears any part of the uniform the police is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, Mrs J.O. Adeyemi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties whose addresses must be verified.
Adeyemi adjourned the case till Nov. 30 for trial.
