LAGOS STATE REMANDS 18-YEAR-OLD OVER PRANK CALL TO FIRE OFFICER

Read Time:2 Minute, 16 Second

By Aishat Momoh. O.

A magistrate court sitting in Ogba, has ordered the remand of 18-year-old Uzuokwu Solomon, who allegedly made an emergency call to the fire service on 14th April, 2023 from Harmony Estate.

Following the State Prosecutor, A. A. Asiwaju’s presentation of the culprit for plea which he pleaded guilty to, Magistrate Bambo Odueke of the Samuel Ilori Court, gave an order on Wednesday, that the alleged prank caller be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kirikiri.

The Lagos State government, had earlier arraigned the 18-year-old who allegedly made an emergency call to the state fire service on April 14, 2023, from Harmony Estate, Langbasa, Ajah, Lagos.

The special adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mobolaji Ogunlende, who was also present during the proceedings, likewise expressed his delight on the arraignment of the culprit stating that the State Government frowns at malicious false calls which endanger the lives of Firefighters, reduce the lifespan and effectiveness of Firefighting equipment and also the wastage of the State’s resources.

He added that this will serve as a stern warning and deterrent to others who make prank calls to emergency toll free lines.

The Office of the Public Defender, Lagos State, has also promised to provide a lawyer in his defence at the adjourned date.

Meanwhile, the Director Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, while addressing Journalists after the Court session, expressed her happiness in the prosecution of the culprit and reiterated the stand of the State government on malicious false calls which is punishable under the Lagos State Laws.

She believes that the arraignment will serve as a deterrent to other misguided citizens who are in the habit of making false calls and misleading emergency responders.

She also pleaded with the residents of the State concerning the attacks on Firefighters at the scene of emergency. She asked for them to give way whenever Firefighters are on the way to an emergency as well as support them while at emergency scenes and desist from making prank calls.

Recall that Uzuokwu had reportedly placed a call on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 17:35 hours to Harmony Estate, Langbasa, Ajah, Lagos and reported a Fire emergency within the estate leading to the dispatch of the Lekki Phase II fire Service Station. On arrival of the Fire crew at the estate, every efforts to trace the acclaimed Fire outbreak proved abortive.

Because of the frequency of such calls in the past, the Estate security helped in the investigation which led to the arrest of the notorious false caller.

The magistrate however, adjourned the case to Thursday, April 27, 2023 to enable him present a Lawyer.