By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

An Ejigbo Magistrate Court, Lagos, has sentenced a 30-year-old dismissed Police Corporal, Michael Abutu, to six years imprisonment without an option of fine, for extorting money from members of the public.

According to the prosecutor, Mr. Olajokun Balogun, despite the fact that Abutu’s employment as a police officer was terminated four years ago, he went about parading himself as a Mobile Police officer with the uniform he failed to submit on his dismissal.

The prosecutor told the court that Abutu (accused) was arrested at Ikotun roundabout in police uniform, while extorting money from motorists, and initially resisted arrest arguing that he was still a serving officer.

Abutu was arrested wearing a mobile police uniform and arraigned on a three-count charge of impersonation and extortion, offences punishable under Sections 99, 109 and 110 of the Criminal Code, Cap.17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

The accused did not deny the charges as he pleaded guilty when asked to enter his plea before the trial magistrate, Mrs. M. Folami, who sentenced him to six years imprisonment on each count, which shall run concurrently.