Ghen Ghen: Two soldiers bag 23 years each for illegal possession of firearms

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A Military General Court Marshal sitting in
Maiduguri on Wednesday sentenced two
soldiers to 23 years imprisonment each for
unlawful possession of firearms.
The President of the Court Marshal, Lt . - Col.
Adamu Hassan , who delivered the verdict said
that the court had found the suspects guilty as
charged and sentenced them under sections 27
( 1) ( A and B ) ( I and II ) of the Firearms Act.
Hassan said that the court was convinced by
the prosecution evidences presented against
the suspects on the five - count charge , and
therefore sentenced each of the convicts to 23
years imprisonment.
He added that the verdict would run
consecutively .
The soldiers were arraigned in the court on a
five - count of conspiracy and unlawful
possession of firearms contrary to section 3 of
the Fire Arms Act.
The Lead Prosecution Counsel , Lt Col Nkenah
Nyaro , had earlier told the court that the
convicts were apprehended while in
possession of five empty- magazines of AK 47
rifle and 20 , 136 rounds of 7 . 62 mm special
ammunition .
Other charges were the unlawful possession of
several rounds of NATO ammunition , two
rounds of Brownie machine gun and
conspiracy to steal.
The prosecution argued that the convicts,
Trooper Eric Nwokere and Trooper M
Fortune , were arrested while in possession of
the ammunition at Jumputu Motor Park ,
Jimeta , Yola , while boarding a commercial
vehicle to an unknown destination.
In his submission , the Defence Counsel , Mr S .
M. Bala , pleaded for leniency , in view of the
fact that the soldiers were never convicted
before.
“ The suspects spent 16 months in detention.
We pray for prescription of fine or demotion
as against imprisonment, ” Bala said .
Delivering the verdict , the President of the
Court , noted that the decision of the court was
arrived at , after the close of submissions by
both the prosecution and defence counsels .
“ The prosecution has proven the case beyond
reasonable doubt in line with the burden of
proof on the prosecutor to prove all criminal
case beyond reasonable doubt .
“ It is a very touchy litigation . There is the
need to ensure sanity , discipline and security
of our dear country especially as the counter-
insurgency war continues, ” the president said .
Meanwhile, the court has convicted and
sentenced another soldier , Cpl Garba Saidu , to
10 years imprisonment for unlawful
possession of ammunition .
The soldier was arraigned in the court on two
counts of illegal possession of 2 , 800 rounds of
7 . 2 mm ( Special ) ammunition .
He was arrested after the discovery of the
ammunition hidden in a poultry farm in
Maiduguri metropolis .
He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment
on the two charges .
The 7 Division General Court Marshal was
inaugurated to try misconduct committed by
officers and men fighting insurgency in the
North - East .