A 31-year-old man, Lawal Babangida, residing in Tungamaji village, Abuja, was sentenced to six months in prison by a Grade I Area Court in Dei-Dei for impersonating a military officer.
The court, presided over by Judge Saminu Suleiman, charged Babangida with offenses that included impersonation, criminal intimidation, and extortion.
The gravity of the charges did not deter the accused, as he pleaded guilty during the court proceedings, expressing remorse and pleading for leniency.
“Please forgive me, my lord. I plead for mercy, sir. I will not commit any crime again,” Babangida fervently stated.
Judge Suleiman, taking into account the convict’s plea, opted to give him an alternative to imprisonment—a N6,000 fine. However, this came with a stern warning, emphasizing the need for Babangida to refrain from criminal activities after serving his punishment.
The legal saga unfolded following a complaint lodged by Usman Zaiyanu of Tomato Junction Zuba Abuja on November 11.
Mr. Chinedu Ogada, the prosecutor, detailed the sequence of events, recounting that on the same date at approximately 9:30 pm, Babangida approached Zaiyanu at Zuba Tomato Junction, presenting himself as a military officer.
The prosecutor informed the court that the convict not only impersonated a soldier but also resorted to criminal threats, leading to the theft of the complainant’s cell phone and a sum of N10,000 in cash.
Ogada emphasized that Babangida’s confessional statements during the police investigation played a pivotal role in building the case against him.
The charges brought forth by the prosecution were grounded in Sections 132, 321, and 292 of the Penal Code, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the offenses committed by the impersonator.
As the court handed down its judgment, it underscored the need for justice while simultaneously acknowledging the accused’s plea for clemency.
This case serves as a poignant example of the challenges faced by the legal system in tackling crimes that range from impersonation to intimidation and extortion.
The court’s decision, though offering resolution for the complainant, opens up discussions on the effectiveness of alternative sentences and the complexities surrounding the pursuit of justice in cases of this nature.
