Two men – Babatunde Ishola, 57, and Teslim Ibikunle, 27 – were on Monday in Lagos brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court over alleged impersonation of policemen and stealing.
Ishola, a resident of Agbado, Lagos, and Ibikunle who lives at Ijaye, Lagos, are facing trial for conspiracy, impersonation and stealing before Magistrate Mrs M.O Tanimola.
Ishola pleaded guilty to the offences while Ibikunle pleaded not guilty.
Tanimola ordered that Ishola should be kept in the Kirikiri Prisons pending review of the facts of the case and his sentencing.
She granted Ibikunle N80, 000 bail with one surety who should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
According to the Prosecutor, Insp. Aondohemba Koti, the accused committed the offences on Jan. 19 at Oshodi, Lagos.
Koti said that the accused claimed to be policemen, demanded money from the complainant, Mr Olaide Akinbode, and dispossessed him of his wallet containing valuables.
“The accused accosted the complainant, who is a commercial driver, demanding N10,000 and threatening to take him and his vehicle to a police station if he would not comply.
“The complainant told them he did not have money, but they entered his vehicle and stole his wallet containing his automated teller machine card, voter card, Canadian passport and N15, 000.
“The complainant raised alarm which attracted people. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the accused were fake.
“They were handed over to the police,” the prosecutor said.
The alleged offences contravened Sections 77, 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
Section 77 provides for three years’ imprisonment for impersonating a member of the armed forces or police, while Section 287 attracts three years’ jail term for stealing.
