A General Court Marshal sitting Maiduguri, Borno State, has sentenced 3 Soldiers serving in Operation LAFIYA DOLE to 23 and 10 years respectively in prison for unlawful possession of fire arms.
The Trio, Trooper Eric Nwokere ,Trooper Macaulay Fortune and Corporal Garba Saidu were charged for unlawful possession of Fire Arms punishable under Section 27 (1) (a & b) (i & ii) of the Firearms Act.
In a press statement signed by the Deputy Director, Army Public 7 Division, Lt Col. Kingsley Samuel,the culprits were sentenced today, July 26th.
“The convicts; Trooper Eric Nwokere and Trooper Macaulay Fortune at the time of the arrest were in possession of 5 empty AK-47 rifle magazines and 20,136 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition at Jumputu Motor Park, Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State, while boarding a commercial vehicle to an unknown destination.
” Corporal Garba Saidu, was also sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition. The soldier was arrested and charged for illegal possession of 2,800 rounds of 7.2mm (Special) ammunition. He was arrested after discovering the ammunition hidden in a poultry farm near Tipper Garage in Maiduguri metropolis. The farm is said to belong to a serving Nigerian Policeman. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment”.
The President of the General Court Marshal, Lt Col Adamu Hassan said the decision of the court was arrived after close of submissions by both the prosecution and defense counsels.
He said 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 could be recalled that the 7 Division General Court Marshal was inaugurated to try misconduct committed by officers and men fighting insurgency in the North East.
Stella Enenche, Abuja
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