5th August, 2017
Paul Iyoghojie
The chairman of the Lagos State National Union of Road Transport workers (NURTW), Ajegunle Branch, Apapa, Lagos, Wasiu Atunse Akanbi, A.k.a Paapa has been arrested for unlawfully being in possession of a Beretta pistol with six live cartridges without the approval of the Inspector General of Police, IGP.
The suspect was arrested by the operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS, Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island, Lagos.
Trouble began for the suspect on 19 June, 2017 when some concerned residents of Ajegunle area of Apapa, Lagos, tipped of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP in charge of FSARS, Lagos, Ibrahim Kaoje that Akanbi was harassing, threatening and intimidating them with gun.
Following the report, DCP Kaoje, dispatched a crack team led by SP Omoyele Adekunle to the area to track and arrest the suspect and brings him to the station.
Police said that the suspect was arrested through intelligence gathering at a hideout in Ajegunle area of Apapa, after a period of time and taken to the station
During the investigation, according to the police, the suspect allegedly confessed to the crime and led the police to his apartment in Ajegunle where a Beretta pistol with six live cartridges was recovered in the ceiling inside his apartment.
Police alleged that when the suspect was asked what he did with the gun, he allegedly denied being the owner, but admitted that one of his boys kept the gun with him. When also asked the name of the boy who he claimed owned the gun, Akanbi could not mention any name.
Akanbi was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos on a one-count charge of felony to wit unlawful possession of One Beretta pistol without approval.
Police prosecutor, C.N Odii informed the court in charge No. J/39/2017 that the accused committed the alleged offense on 19 June, 2017 at 67 Ladigal Street, AJegunle, Lagos.
Odii told the court that the accused who claimed to be the chairman of NURTW, Ajegunle Branch, Lagos was arrested for threatening the life of members of the public in Ajegunle and its environs.
He said the offence the accused committed was punishable under section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (special Provisions) Cap R11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The plea of the accused was not taken and Magistrate O.O Owunmi ordered that he be remanded in prison custody pending advice from the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP on the matter.
Owunmi adjourned the case till 15 September, 2017.