32-year-old man remanded over alleged possession of pistol
An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Tuesday remanded a 32-year-old man, Ali Amodu, at a correctional centre for allegedly possessing a pistol.
The defendant was arraigned on a one-count charge of unlawful possession of firearm.
Magistrate Lateef Owolabi, who did not take the defendant’s plea for want of jurisdiction, remanded the defendant pending the legal advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
She adjourned the case until Aug. 28 for mention.
Earlier, the prosecutor, SP Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendant was arrested in the Igbogbele area of Badagry West, Lagos, with a metal pistol, which he claimed was for his protection and self-defence.
The prosecutor said the defendant was apprehended by policemen during a stop-and-search operation.
Ikhayere added that Amodu was subsequently handed over to the DSS for further interrogation and prosecution.
She urged the court to adjourn the case to enable her to study the case file and assemble witnesses.
According to her, the offence contravenes Section 330 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which prescribes seven years’ imprisonment for anyone found guilty of the offence.
