Woman, 25, docked over impersonating army officer, car theft

LAGOS — A 25-year-old woman, Cynthia Okonkwo, was yesterday in Lagos charged with impersonating an army officer at an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court. Okonkwo, whose address was unknown, was also charged with the theft of a Toyota Camry saloon car with registration no. KU 200 AAA, valued at N800, 000, property of Mr. Babatunde Onibire.
She, however, pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge of impersonation, unlawful possession, stealing and conspiracy.

According to Cpl. Kemi Adeniran, the prosecutor, Okonkwo falsely and unlawfully represented herself as an army officer by putting on an army cap and a jacket.
She said the accused committed the offences on Oct.16 at 2.00 p.m. at Ojota motor park, Lagos.

“The accused approached Onibire at Ojota Motor Park to take her to Adeniji Adele on Lagos Island, to buy some drugs.

“On the way she asked the driver to take her to a hotel to lodge, but complained that she could not afford to pay N7, 000 per night and convinced the driver to allow her to pass the night inside his car.

“By 4.00 a.m. the next day, Okonkwo had disappeared with the car,”Adeniran told the court.
Magistrate I.O. Afunwa granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 and two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to Nov.26.