A dismissed policeman, 35-year-old Abdulmalik Makong, who allegedly impersonated a deputy superintendent of police, was on Monday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court.
Mr Makong, who resides in Adamawa, is charged with impersonation.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Police Prosecutor, Roman Unuigbe, told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 2 at Tolu Divisional Police Headquarters, Apapa, Lagos.
He alleged that the accused, who was dismissed from the Nigerian Police for over four years, has been parading himself as a DSP.
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“While trying to stop the arrest of some prostitutes, he introduced himself to the Divisional Police Officer as a DSP attached to the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
“When he was searched, a police warrant card, bearing the rank of Assistant Superintendent with two stars was found on him,” Mr Unuigbe, a deputy superintendent of police, said.
Mr Unuigbe said further questioning revealed that the accused attended the Police Academy, but was dismissed for smoking hemp.
The offence contravened Section 77 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the section stipulates three years in jail on conviction.
The Chief Magistrate, P.A. Ojo, admitted the accused to a bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He said one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused and they must be gainfully employed with an evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
He adjourned the case until July 2 for mention.
NAN
