11th March, 2011
Detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos Southwest Nigeria, have arraigned two youths before an Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos for illegal possession of arms.
The accused, John Sunday Okon, 23 and Stanley Effiong, 21, were alleged to have in their possession an automatic pump action gun on 30, January, 2011 at Godwin area of Oke Egan Ofin Ile, Ikorodu, Lagos State.
They were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms, which the prosecutor, Inspector Junaid Rasaq, said was punishable under Section 1 (2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act., Cap.398, Vol. XXII, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990, as amended.
Count two of the charges reads: “That you, John Sunday Okon, 23 and Stanley Effiong, 21, on 30 January, 2011, at Godwin area of Oke Egan, Ofin Ile, Ikorodu, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District did unlawfully have in your possession one automatic pump action gun and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 3(1)of the Robbery and Firearms (special provision) Act., Cap. 309, Vol. XXII, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990, as amended.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
They were not represented by any counsel and the presiding magistrate, Mrs. Oyindamola Ogala admitted them on bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties.
She ordered that the sureties must show evidence of paying tax to the Lagos State government and must have means of livelihood. They must also reside in Lagos.
The case has been adjourned till 22 April 2011 for mention.
The accused persons were later moved to Ikoyi Prisons as they could not perfect the bail condition before the court close.
—Paul sanusi & Abosede Agboola