LAGESC arraigns two for impersonation

The Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) yesterday arraigned two suspects for impersonating the agency and carrying fake identity cards after a tip-off from an informant. 

Corps Marshal of the agency, Gbemisola Akinpelu, who made the disclosure, said the three suspects, Mathew Ilesanmi, 36, Gbadeyinka Kola, 64 and Kehinde Akinmoyero, portrayed themselves to be LAGESC personnel and arrested a man for open urination around Abiola Garden, Ojota.

She added that a concerned citizen alerted them of the illegal activities of the suspect after they arrested the man for open urination and subsequently tried to extort him before he could be released.

The suspects were arraigned before a 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.

Ilesanmi pleaded not guilty to both charges and his case was subsequently adjourned till September 23 while Kola who pleaded guilty to both counts was sentenced to four months in prison without an option of fine.

Akinpelu advised residents to be wary of fake persons who are out to engage in illegal activities of extorting innocent citizens by impersonating the agency.

She urged residents to 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 were out to ensure that the nooks and crannies of the state were free of environmental nuisances.