21st November, 2023
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogun State Command on Tuesday 21st November, 2023 arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrate Court 4 sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, a suspect, Sunday Samuel, male, 38, for impersonating a deserted officer of the Corps during the Biometric Verification exercise conducted for officers of the NSCDC nationwide.
The Suspect, Sunday Samuel was arrested on Friday 3rd November, 2023 at about 1800 hours at the NSCDC Command premises where the Staff Biometric Verification exercise was being conducted. The Biometric official detected him to be an impersonator when the Computer system could not verify him. Some questions about the data of the person whose identity he was claiming was asked from him but he could not provide the correct answer. The Biometric official asked if he was sure of himself and he started shaking and confessed to have come to assist an officer.
Investigation was launched into the case and it was discovered, following the confessional statement made by him that he had come to assist an officer (name withheld) do the Biometric Verification exercise. He revealed the name of the officer whom he came to impersonate and also tendered the IPPIS number of the officer.
According to a statement from the Command, “The suspect claimed to be a staff of NSCDC Ogun state Command and fraudulently gained entrance into the hall where the Biometric Verification exercise was being conducted, but he was detected to be an impersonator during the verification. This then led to his arrest and investigation".
He was initially granted an administrative bail and rearrested on Tuesday 21st November, 2023 for prosecution.
He was arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrate Court 4 sitting in Isabo on a 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 granted him bail to the sum of N50 000 and a surety in like sum. He 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.
The state Commandant of NSCDC, Ogun State Command, Commandant David Idowu Ojelabi, mni, frowned at such criminal conduct and vowed that such will not be condoned under his watch. He advised all officers of the Corps to stay away from any conduct and other sharp practices which often subvert the essence and objective goal of the Biometric Verification exercises of this nature. He therefore read a riot act to any deserted officers not to ever attempt such as any officer who has gone on AWOL for a long period of time is deemed to have deserted the Corps and such an officer will be dealt with in line with the extant rules and regulations guiding the Corps.
0 Comments