Court convicts teenager for raising fake fire alarm

A kid has received an unwarranted conviction for making a bogus call to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.

Uzuokwu Solomon was found guilty on two counts on Thursday at the Samuel Ilori Magistrate Court Ogba in Ikeja.

He was sentenced by Magistrate Bambo Odueke to a month in jail with the option of a fine and a month of community service, which includes a campaign against robocalls.

After the convict displayed regret and quickly admitted guilt, the magistrate balanced justice with mercy and handed down the minimum legal verdict.

The agency responded on Friday, describing the decision as a recognition of the firefighting profession and Lagos' efficient service delivery.

Agboola Ololade, the deputy director of public affairs, said in a statement that the prompt prosecution of the case would serve as a deterrence to others who make fictitious calls to emergency personnel.

Since the investigation began, there have been fewer fake calls, and the director, Margaret Adeseye, pledged to work with the offender to use his community service to inform the public.

At around 17:35 on Friday, April 14, 2023, Solomon of the Harmony Estate in the Langbasa region of Ajah reported a fire outbreak inside the estate.

The organization promptly sent a team from the Lekki Phase II Service Station, but when they arrived, they found no evidence of the alleged conflagration.

On Wednesday, April 19, Solomon made his initial court appearance. The case was tried and decided in under two weeks.

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