CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 30-year-old man, Thankgod Yakubu, has been reportedly remanded at the Correctional Center in Kirikiri Town, Lagos, for allegedly parading himself as a member of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Yakubu was arraigned before Magistrate L.A. Owolabi of the Lagos Magisterial District following his arrest on 10th August, 2026, at about 12:00hrs at Ikorodu Area of Lagos State.
According to Charge No. 2026 filed as Commissioner of Police Vs Thankgod Yakubu ‘M’ 30 years, the defendant was accused of wearing military woodland camouflage without reasonable cause.
The charge read: That you, Thankgod Yakubu ‘M’, on the 10th August, 2026, at about 12:00hrs at Ikorodu Area of Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did without reasonable cause wear military woodland camouflage with intent that you may be taken to be a member of Armed Forces of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 77 (a) and punishable under Section 77 (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, reportedly told the court that the defendant was arrested by operatives of Command Special Squad 2, Ikeja, Lagos, after he was seen wearing full military woodland camouflage and behaving in a manner suggesting he was a serving military officer in Ikorodu.
The prosecutor said the exhibit, military camouflage, was recovered from the defendant and that he could not give satisfactory account of how he got it or why he was wearing it.
She added that the act of civilians wearing military uniform has become a security concern, as some use it to intimidate and extort money from members of the public.
When the charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations against the defendant.
The presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, in his ruling on bail, reportedly granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
Magistrate Owolabi reportedly ordered that the sureties must provide proof of their means of livelihood and evidence of tax payment to the court registry for verification.
He also ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Correctional Center at Kirikiri Town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
According to court records, the Investigation Police Officer, IPO, is ASP Cyril Clement of Command Special Squad 2, Ikeja, Lagos, while the Officer in Charge of Charge is handling prosecution in collaboration with SP Josephine Ihkayere.
Legal analysts said Section 77 (a) and (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, frowns at impersonation of military personnel, as it is capable of causing breach of peace and misleading the public.
A court observer, who asked not to be named, said the bail condition is to ensure the defendant does not jump bail and to confirm that responsible persons stand for him.
“The Magistrate granted bail but with strict conditions. The two sureties must show they have legitimate means of livelihood and pay tax, which shows responsibility,” he said.
The matter has been adjourned pending the perfection of bail conditions and for further hearing.
The Lagos State Police Command has reiterated its warning to members of the public to desist from wearing military camouflage and other security agency uniforms unless they are serving members, as anyone caught will be prosecuted according to law.