Solomon Uzuokwu, a teenager, was given a one-month prison sentence by the Magistrates court in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State, for making false calls to emergency responders.
Uzuokwu was found guilty of two charges, including disturbing the peace and calling a fake fire emergency.
The decision was made by Magistrate Bambo Odueke with the option of a fine and a month of community service under the State’s legal jurisdiction.
However, after entering a guilty plea to the case, the defendant decided to accept the fine.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by the Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Agboola Ololade, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, stated that the decision came as a result of the court’s recognition of the honourable nature of the firefighting profession and the efficient service delivery of the agency, both of which necessitated widespread support.
She also expressed her happiness at the prompt prosecution of the case as a warning to other misinformed residents who have a practise of placing fictitious calls and misinforming emergency personnel.
“Adeseye used the occasion to note the seeming reduction in false calls since the advent of the case and pledged to work with the culprit in using his community service as another medium to reach a large audience among other efforts being championed by the Agency,” the statement added.
According to reports, Uzuokwu placed a call on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 735pm 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 effort to trace the acclaimed fire outbreak proved abortive.
He, however, first appeared in court penultimate on April 19 which was adjourned till today for the conclusion of the matter in record time to ensure that justice is not denied.
