BY Maryam Abdullahi
The Lagos environmental sanitation corps (LAGESC) says Kola Gbadeyinka, a 64-year-old man, has been imprisoned for impersonating a sanitation official in the state.
Gbemisola Akinpelu, corps marshal of the agency, disclosed this on Friday in a statement issued by Kehinde Adebayo, LAGESC spokesperson.
According to the statement, another suspect who was arraigned alongside Gbadeyinka pleaded not guilty, while a third suspect is currently at large.
Akinpelu said the suspects were arrested at Ojota, following a report by some residents.
“Three suspects identified as Mathew Ilesanmi, 36, Gbadeyinka Kola, 64, and Kehinde Akinmoyero at large portrayed themselves to be LAGESC personnel, popularly known as KAI, by arresting a victim for open urination around Abiola Garden, Ojota’,” Akinpelu was quoted as saying.
The corps marshal added that the suspects were reported to LAGESC after they demanded money for the release of the person arrested for “open urination”.
“The Corps Marshal further disclosed that the Intelligence Unit of the Agency was immediately mobilised to track and arrest the impersonators,” the statement reads.
“The suspects were arraigned before a Lagos State Mobile Court at Bolade-Oshodi on a two-count charge of Breach of Public Peace and Impersonation, both punishable under Section 168 (i) (d) and Section 78 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos 2015.
“One of the suspects, Mathew Ilesanmi, pleaded not guilty to both charges and his case was subsequently adjourned till the 23rd of September, while Gbadeyinka Kola, who pleaded guilty to both counts, was sentenced to four months in prison without an option of fine.
“Mrs. Akinpelu therefore advised members of the public to be wary of fake persons who are out to engage in illegal activities of extorting innocent citizens by impersonating the Agency.”
The corps marshal also urged Lagos residents to also avoid open defecation and other environmental infractions, “noting that real LAGESC personnel, who are always properly dressed with their name tags attached to their uniforms, are out to ensure that all the nooks and crannies of the state is free of any form of environmental nuisances”.
Residents were also encouraged to report illegal activities to the agency for necessary action.
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