The Federal Government, through the
Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, has charged 51
defendants, including nine policemen with illegal dealing in firearms....
Our correspondent on Monday obtained a
copy of the information sheet containing two counts, filed before the
Yola Division of the Federal High Court.
The case marked, FHC/YL/80C/2017, was
filed on behalf of the AGF by an Assistant Chief State Counsel of the
Department of Public Prosecutions, Federal Ministry of Justice, on
October 3.
The defendants were accused of “trading”
in “assorted firearms and ammunition” in Yola and its environs without
licence between 2013 and 2016.
“This is a case of sale and possession
of prohibited firearms without lawful permit or registration perpetrated
by the accused persons who traded in assorted firearms and ammunition
in Yola and its environs without licence and not being registered as
firearms dealers,” the case summary filed by the prosecution read.
The defendants were accused of
committing offences contrary to sections 1(14)(a)(i) and 3(6) of the
Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria
punishable under section 1(14)(a) (i) of the Act.
The firearms allegedly recovered from
them were 22 AK47, two Pump Action short guns, eight locally-made
revolvers, three locally-made pistols, one Uzi Rifle and 1,150 rounds of
live ammunition.
The policemen named in the case are
Yuguda Abubakar, Sarkin Fada Habila, Donan James, Dipha Namiel, Abba
Mailalle, Bwamson Tanko, Yason Dauda, Idris Salisu, Zakari Pofi, and
Rabo Bello.
The rest of the 41 defendants are those to whom the policemen allegedly sold guns and other firearms to.
They include Oliver Haniel, Alhaji Hodi
Adamu, James Nabi, Edal Anderawus, Nuhu Ishaya, Sumobiu Yakubu, Gaman
Yohela, Titus Dawe, Stanley Congo, Aamu Eli, Anderawus Batelo, Shehu
Audu, Akila Dimliura, Oliver Diuwan, Munlura Amos, and Majo Aliyu.
Others are Usman Saudi, Amos Tafida,
Godwin Umaru, Bello Bulus, Nnanna Emmanuel, Samuel B. Samba, Juli Inusa,
Adamu Lolo, Inusa Mohammed, Mohammed Rabiu, Umar Dauda, Suleiman Buba,
and Gidado Garba.
The rest are Umar Jafung, Aliyu
Mohammed, Mohammed Abdullahi, Yaya Saidu, Mohammadu Kwaire, Atiku
Ibrahim, Ibahim Isah, Idi Juli, Abdulkareem Umar, Ibrahim Umar and
Hammadu Abdullahi.
Only four of the accused persons were
named in the first count, while the whole of the 51 accused persons were
named in the second count.
Count one reads, “That you, Yuguda
Abubakar of Kaewa Police Barracks, Yola, Adamawa State; Sarkin Fada
Habila, of Bidoma Division, Adamawa State, Nnanna Emmanuel of Dong Park
Village, Numan LGA, Adamawa State, and Oliver Hanniel of Dikir Village,
Song LGA, Adamawa, between 2013 and 2016 at Yola and other parts of
Adamawa State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did
conspire to deal in prohibited firearms and ammunition to wit: 22 AK7
rifles, two Pump Action short guns, eight locally made revolvers, three
locally made pistols, one(1) Uzi Rifle and 1,150 rounds of live
ammunition which said firearms and ammunition are prohibited from
importation by section 18 of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and you hereby committed an offence
contrary to section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 Laws
of the Federation of Nigeria punishable under section 1(14)(a) of the
same Act.”
No comments: