Three soldiers jailed over unlawful possession of arms

A general court marshal sitting in Borno state on Wednesday sentenced three soldiers to various years of imprisonment for unlawful possession of fire arms and ammunition.

While two of the soldiers – Eric Nwokere and Macaulay Fortune – were sentenced to 23 years in jail, Garba Saidu, the third convict, was jailed for 10 years.

Nwokere and Fortune, who are serving in Operation Lafiya Dole, were found guilty of charges that bordered on unlawful possession of fire arms punishable under section 27 (1) (a & b) (i & ii) of the firearms act.

At the time of their arrest, they were said to be in possession of five empty AK-47 rifle magazines and 20,136 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition at Jumputu motor park, Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa state.

Saidu, on the other hand, was arrested and charged with illegal possession of 2,800 rounds of 7.2mm (special) ammunition.

He was reportedly arrested after the ammunition hidden in a poultry farm near Tipper garage in Maiduguri metropolis, was discovered.

The farm is said to belong to a serving police officer.

Adamu Hassan, president of the general court marshal, said the decision of the court was reached after close of submissions by both the prosecution and defence counsels.

He also said the prosecution has proven the case beyond reasonable doubt.

The 7 division general court marshal was inaugurated to try soldiers accused of misconduct in the north-east.