KINGSLEY EBERE
Police operatives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, Lagos, have arrested two men, Oni Damilare, 32 and Wisdom Amos, 35, who allegedly recruited themselves into the Nigerian Army and paraded with uniforms as officers in the State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that while Amos was apprehended at CBQ 85 Ikeja Military Cantonment, Lagos, where he unlawfully identified yourself as a Military Personnel, Damilare was arrested along Lekki, Ajah area of Lagos with the uniform.
When they were arrested and interrogated, they reportedly claimed to be Army officers but failed to show proof. They later confessed that they actually illegally recruited themselves into the Army.
The Police found them culpable and consequently charged them before the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT I: “That you, Oni Damilare, on the 18th of April, 2025, at about 1700hrs, along Lekki, Ajah area, Lagos in the Lagos State Magisterial District, did unlawfully wear the Nigerian Army uniform and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 79 (1) (a) of Lagos State Criminal Law of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Oni Damilare, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did impersonate yourself as a member of the Nigerian Army by wearing Army Camouflage and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 77 (a) (b) of Lagos State Criminal Law of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT III:”That you, Wisdom Amos, on the 17th March, 2025, at about 0730hrs, at CBQ 85 Ikeja Military Cantonment, Lagos, in the Lagos State Magisterial District, did unlawfully identify yourself as a Military Personnel and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 77 (a) (b) of Lagos State Criminal Law of Nigeria, 2015.”
However, they pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Chinalu Uwadione, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since they pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.O. Akingbesote, granted them bail with sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendants were remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.