MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 24-year old man, Taiwo Kayode, will be spending the next 10 years in prison custody for illegal possession of firearms as charged by the Police in Ogun State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that it was the judgment of the Presiding Magistrate, Mr. O.L. Oke of the Special Cultism Court in Abeokuta, who found him guilty and sentenced him accordingly.
The Court, during the judgment, declared that that the prosecution successfully established its case beyond a reasonable doubt and emphasized the credibility of the evidence put forth by the prosecution, leading to the defendant being found guilty on both counts.
Consequently, Taiwo Kayode was sentenced to 10 years in prison for count one and five years for count two, with no option for a fine and the Court ordered that the sentences should run concurrently.
The charges brought against the convict included unlawful possession of firearms and unlawful possession of live cartridges, which he committed on 7th September,2023 at Agura Road Sabo, Sagamu, Ogun State.
During the trial, the prosecutor, Inspector Olaide Rawlings, told the Court that the defendant was apprehended with a locally made double-barrel shotgun and a cartridge, both lacking the necessary licensed permit.
Inspector Rawlings further explained that when confronted by a team of stop-and-search Police officers, the defendant failed to provide a valid reason for being in possession of the firearm and live cartridge.
The prosecutor stated that the charges against Taiwo Kayode were in violation of Section 27(a) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
This decision may have reinforced the commitment to enforcing strict measures against individuals engaged in the unlawful possession of firearms, emphasizing the importance of complying with established legal frameworks governing firearm possession in Nigeria.
The judgement may as well serve as deterrent to others who might want to commit similar crimes in future to desist from doing so.