Fake soldier nabbed in Lagos

Victor Nyaku, a panel beater, was on Thursday, arraigned before an Ikeja magistrates’ court in Lagos, for impersonation and assault.

Nyaku, was also accused of parading himself as an army officer, wearing army uniform and unlawfully possessing a Nigerian police identity card.

Godwin Awase, police prosecutor, told the court that the accused committed the offences on April 14 at Anifowoshe, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said the accused, despite not serving in the military, dressed in army uniform and paraded himself to be an army officer.

“The accused was driving his Toyota camry and he blocked a bus rapid transit (BRT), ordering the driver to reverse for him to pass,” he said.

“When the driver of the bus could not reverse for him because the bus is long, the accused came down from his car with a ”koboko” and started beating the driver.

“Unfortunately for him, the police got to the scene and in the process of settling the dispute, demanded for the accused identity card.

“The accused, who was in army camouflage presented a police sergeant ID card carrying another person’s name.”

He said the accused confessed when it was discovered that he was a fake soldier.

“He said that he saw the camouflage in a bale of clothes he bought from Cotonou and that the ID card was given to him by someone in Ikeja;  he was later taken to the station,” Awase said.

The offences contravened sections 171, 380 and 382 of the revised criminal law of Lagos state, 2015.

Nyaku, who resides at Abule-Egba, Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty and was admitted to a bail of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

F.F George, the magistrate, ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos state government.

The case was adjourned till June 16, for mention.