BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
A 19-year-old man, Gbadebo Oluwaseyi, and three others have been arraigned at an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court, Osun State for allegedly being in possession of firearms and cartridges.
Others who were docked are Oluronbi Nurudeen, aged 41; Adeleke Mojeed, 38; and 20-year-old Aseru Samad.
The four accused persons, with others now at large, were said to have been caught with one pump action gun with breech number 476 and one single barrel gun on January 13, at about 3pm at Number 4, Akede Street, Oke-Baale area, Osogbo.
The charge against them read that “Gbadebo Oluwaseyi, Oluronbi Nurudeen, Adeleke Mojeed, Aseru Samad, and others now at large, on January 13, at about 3pm, at Number 4, Akede Street, Oke-Baale area, Osogbo, did conspire among yourselves and unlawfully have in your possession one pump-action gun with breech number 476 and one single barrel gun.
“You (defendants) unlawfully have in your possession two live cartridges.”
Police prosecutor, Inspector Olusegun Elisha, told the court that the defendants committed offences contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume II, Laws of Osun State.
The accused persons were also said to have contravened sections 27(1)(b)(Ii) of the Firearms Act, Cap F.28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the three-count-charge.
Their counsel, Suleiman Akano, urged the court to grant the defendants bail and assured the court that they would provide reliable sureties, with a promise that they would stand their trial.
Magistrate A. A. Adebayo granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 Million with one surety in the same amount.
He added that the surety must be resident within the Magisterial District and must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 08 in the civil service of Osun State.
The matter was adjourned till April 13 for mention.
