A 33-year-old unemployed man, identified as Abah Arome, was Tuesday, arraigned before an Ejigbo Senior Magistrates’ Court 2, Lagos for allegedly presenting himself as a police officer and extorting money from victims at check points.

It will be recalled that the prosecutor, Cpl. Femi Adeleye, had earlier told the court that the defendant committed the offence on October 19, at about 2.30 p.m at Iyana Ipaja area of the state.

According to him, “The defendant on the said date and time did claim to be an officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by wearing a police uniform.

“He also stood on Iyana Ipaja Highway and extorted money from commercial drivers and motorcyclists plying the said route,” he said.

“Arome claimed he was a legally employed police officer and used the platform for extortion, knowing well it was false.”

The prosecutor noted that the offence contravened Section 77 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

In his plea, the accused, who is of an unknown address, had pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of impersonation.

The Magistrate, Mr. A.A Fashola, granted Arome bail in the sum of N100, 000, adding that he should also present one surety in like sum, who must be resident in Lagos, as part of the bail conditions.

According to the Magistrate, the surety, whose address must be verified, must present evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Fashola, however, adjourned the case to November 23, for mention.