By Kayode Adeoti
For allegedly impersonating a police officer, the magistrate court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State on Tuesday granted one Sodiq Ajayi bail in the sum of N50,000.
The Magistrate, Fatimoh Binta Salihu also granted the accused bail with two sureties in like sum and that they must be the accused person’s family members.
The court further maintained that the accused and the sureties must be despond to affidavit of means while the matter was adjourned to December 20, 2018.
The accused was docked for the offence of impersonation, contrary to Section 342 of Penal Code law.
The First Information Report (FIR) revealed that the case was transferred from Department of Operation, Kwara State Command to Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (CIID), Ilorin for discreet investigation.
It stated that one Alawaye Abdulrasheed of Anifowose Alawaye compound Ilorin, reported to the Police that he rendered Okada service to the accused and he failed to pay him for the service.
The police report further stressed that the complainant conveyed the accused to the Police Headquarters, Ilorin after claiming that he was a police officer.
It added that the accused ran into the premises of the police headquarters without paying the sum of N250 they both agreed as the sum for the service.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Matthew Saheed, urged the court to remand the accused person.
He said, if the accused is granted bail, he may commit similar offence or temper with police investigation, which is on-going over the matter.
In his submission, the accused person’s counsel, Barr. John Gbadebo prayed the court to discountenance the submission of the prosecutor.
He canvassed that the prosecutor has not presented any fact before the court to justify that the accused will jump bail or tamper with police investigation.
He said the issue of bail is at the discretion of the court, saying court should use his discretionary power judiciously and judiciarily.
…another docked for impersonating Army Officer
By Abiodun Bolujoko
The Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State on Tuesday docked one Alade Dayo for allegedly impersonating an army officer.
Dayo was dragged before Magistrate Kikelomo Abu for impersonation, criminal trespass, assault and intimidation, contrary to Section 324, 384, 266 and 399 of Penal Code law.
The police First Information Report (FIR) revealed that on 22nd November, 2018, one Peace Simon of Victory Hotel, Agbo Oba Area, Ilorin reported the matter to the ‘B’ Divisional Police Headquarters, Surulere, Ilorin before it was transferred to the Criminal Intelligence and Investigative Department (CIID) of the state capital for discreet investigation.
The FIR stressed that the accused introduced himself to the hotel attendants that he’s an Army Officer.
The accused was said to have beaten the complainant up when he was challenged for taking away bottle of beer kept on the table at the hotel, an action which eventually led to his arrest.
In the course of the investigation, the FIR disclosed that the accused confessed to having military belt, T-Shirts, and Military Identification Card bearing his name.
Investigation further revealed that Alade was never a member of the Nigeria Army, but a notorious criminal who specialised in impersonating government agencies with the aim of terrorising innocent Nigerians.
The prosecutor, Abideen Oderinde urged the court to remand the accused person pending the completion of the police investigation on the matter.
The accused counsel, Barr. Abdulmajid Abdulmalik urged the court to grant the accused bail on a liberal term.
He said the FIR is only mere Information which contains no fact that could prove the alleged offences charged against the accused.
The court in his short ruling granted the accused bail with the sum of N3,000 and two sureties.
The Magistrate added that one of the sureties must have landed property and that they must be deposited to an affidavit of means while their passports must be submitted to the court.
The case was however adjourned to December 5, 2018.
