MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 37-year old man, Obhiebo Pius, has landed in trouble in Lagos State after he recruited himself into the Nigeria Police, made uniform and promoted self to the rank of a sergeant before he was caught.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Pius, was arrested on the highway at Iyana Ipaja area with full Police uniform and was parading himself as an officer while extorting money from motorists.
He ran out of luck when the Police operatives from the Tactical team of the Lagos State Command accosted him during routine monitoring over his alleged conduct on the road.
During the interrogation, he was asked certain questions, which he was unable to give satisfactory answers to. He was then arrested and detained at the Command for further interrogation.
He reportedly admitted that he actually recruited and promoted himself to the rank of sergeant and was using the Nigeria Police uniform he made to make money from motorists to feed his family.
The Police found him culpable for impersonation and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
However, he pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.