Fake NYSC Member Arrested By The Police

Opeyemi Ajala

Police at Dolphin Division, Ikoyi, Lagos, have arrested a suspected fake National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member, 34-year-old Opeyemi Ajala, who has now been remanded in prison custody after he was charged to court. He allegedly told the police that he was contracted by Olotu Osayowanon now at large to help him serve the one year compulsory scheme with an agreement that he would be paying him N19,000 monthly.

Trouble started for Opeyemi, a resident of 25, Jebba Street, Ebute Meta, Lagos on 27 June, 2013 when he went to the Ikoyi/Obalende LCDA, Ikoyi, Lagos to register for the one year NYSC compulsory scheme.

During screening, the officer in charge of the programme reportedly discovered that all the documents he presented were fake.

The fake documents found on him, according to the police include forged death certificate of one Osarogie Olotu, Acceptance Letter from Eti Osa LCDA, Bachelor of Arts Certificate from the University of Newcastle, United Kingdom and NYSC call up letter.

NYSC officials were said to have questioned him about how he came about the documents bearing different names and not his name, he allegedly said someone contracted him to serve for him, after which he was reported to the DPO of Dolphin Estate Division, Ikoyi S.P Musa Abdullahi who directed his men to arrest the suspect.

In his confessional statement to the police, Opeyemi allegedly said: “I am a jobless man and my father and mother died a few years ago, and since I passed out from the school of Fishery and Marine Technology in 2009, I have not been able to get a job.

“One day, I went to the NYSC camp at Ipaja, Lagos, where I met Olotu Osayowanon who approached me to help him serve his one year compulsory NYSC scheme because he graduated in London.

“He provided me with all the NYSC uniform and kits and he agreed to be paying me N19,000 every month and out of frustration I accepted the offer before I was arrested. I promise not to indulge in such crime again.”

Ajala was charged before an Igbosere Magistrate’s court on a three-count charge of felony, to wit, impersonating and forgery.

The offences, the prosecutor Supol E. Ekuma said contravened Sections 409,380 and 374 of the criminal laws of Lagos State 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge, and Chief Magistrate Mrs. O.O. Oshin admitted him on bail in the sum of N150, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the matter till 30 July, 2013 for mention.

The defendant was taken to Ikoyi Prison pending when he would fulfill the bail conditions.