An Abeokuta Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta today, 22nd May 2024 finally found guilty and convicted one Sunday Samuel on a count charge of Impersonating an NSCDC officer.
Sunday Samuel, male, 38, was arrested on November 3rd, 2023 at the venue of staff verification exercise conducted for officers of the Corps. He was arrested for impersonating a deserted officer of the Corps, ASC I Patrick Solomon who had been declared to be on AWOL.
The case was arrainged on Tuesday 21st November, 2023 before an Abeokuta Magistrate Court 5 sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, on one count charge bordering on Personating a public official. He then pleaded not guilty and his counsel brought forward an application for bail. The Magistrate, O. O Odumosu granted him bail to the sum of N50 000 and a surety in like sum. She however ordered his remand in Correctional facility pending when his bail condition will be perfected. The case was later adjourned till the 8th of December, 2023 for commencement of hearing.
At the hearing, the prosecutor called two witnesses which include the arresting officer (PW 1) and the Investigating officer (PW 2) to testify before the court. The PW 1 was able to establish that he arrested the defendant during the Biometric exercise within the premises of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ogun State Command, Abeokuta. He affirmed that the Defendant was actually dressed in Civil Defence Uniform and presented himself as one Patrick Solomon having fraudulently gained entrance to the venue. But during interview, he was detected to be an impersonator. The PW 1 tendered the uniform worn by the Defendant as Exhibit and was admitted by the Court and marked as Exhibit “A” while other Exhibits were also tendered by both witnesses to support the case.
The Magistrate in a well thought out judgement today, 22nd May, 2024 found the convict guilty of the one count charge bothering on impersonating a public officer and pronounced that the the convict is hereby sentenced to 14 days of community service without the option of fine. In the event of default, he shall be imprisoned.