KINGSLEY EBERE
A 29-year old man, Afolabi Kelvin, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for being in possession of a locally made pistol and live cartridges suspected to be for armed robbery operation before he was caught.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Kelvin, was apprehended at Ikotun Roundabout by Police operatives from the Monitoring Unit, Ikeja, Lagos, during routine operation in the area.
According to the Police, the suspect was arrested following suspicion of his movement and was accosted. The items were found with him and he was immediately detained at the station for interrogation over the recovered items.
During interrogation, he denied being an armed robber but was unable to explain what he was using the items to do knowing fully that they were unlawful and illegal.
The Police found him culpable after interrogation and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms under the Criminal Laws of the State.
The charges read:
“That you, Afolabi Kelvin ‘m’ and others now at large, on the 11th October, 2024bout 0700hrs at Ikotun Round-about, Ikotun, Lagos in Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: unlawful possession of fire arm and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
COUNT II: “That you, Afolabi Kelvin ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, was in possession of one (1) locally made pistol and one (1) live unexpended cartridge and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 330 (d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
In Nigeria, the punishment for illegal possession of a gun is strictly regulated by the Firearms Act, which is enforced by the Nigeria Police Force. The Act states that anyone found guilty of illegal possession of a firearm shall be liable to:
1. Imprisonment for a term not less than 5 years or more than 10 years.
2. A fine of not less than N50,000 or more than N100,000
3. Forfeiture of the firearm and any ammunition and possible additional penalties, such as community service or restitution, at the discretion of the court.
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.