Solomon Uzuokwu has been sentenced to one month in prison by the Magistrates Court in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State, for making a hoax fire emergency call to emergency responders. Uzuokwu was found guilty of two counts of breaching public peace and making a false emergency call.
The presiding magistrate, Bambo Odueke, also gave him the option of paying a fine or serving one month of community service campaign against false calls within the jurisdiction of the State. Uzuokwu chose to pay the fine after pleading guilty to the charge.
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The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Agboola Ololade, welcomed the ruling, stating that it was a commendation of the noble firefighting profession and the effective service delivery of the agency.
The agency also expressed delight in the swift prosecution of the case, which would serve as a deterrent to other misguided citizens who are in the habit of making false calls to emergency responders. The defendant had placed a false call on April 14, 2023, at 7:35 pm, reporting a fire emergency in the Harmony Estate, Langbasa, Ajah, Lagos, which was found to be false upon arrival of the fire crew.
