OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO/GODWIN AYOBAMI RACHEL
A Federal High Court sitting in Warri has charged one Paul Tuoma Okene, a distributor of products of the Nigerian Breweries in Delta state for illegal possession of arms and ammunitions.
According to the charge sheet with Charge Number: FHC/WR/64c/2020 Mr. Okene, a native of Eku in Ethiope East Local Government Area had been arrested by policemen attached to Zone 5, Benin City after a pump action, one double barrel gun, and 38 live cartridges were recovered from his residences at Warri and Eku on June 26 and 30, respectively this year.
The information filed by the Police against the said Mr. Okene is dated July 20 in the case of Inspector General of Police Vs. Paul Tuoma Okene.
The Charge contains four-count charge of, ” that you Paul Tuoma Okene “m” on or about the 26th day of June 2020 at No. 37, 29th Street, West End Road, Warri, within the Jurisdiction of the Warri Division of the Federal High Court had in your possession without licence or authority one Pump Action Gun Number RICHOL 15-0829 and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 27(1)(a)(i) & (iv) of the Fire Arms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”
The charge added the second count to be, “that you Paul Tuoma Okene “m” on the same date, place within the Jurisdiction of the Warri Division of the Federal High Court had in your possession without license or authority, thirty-six(36) live cartridges and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 27(1) (b) (ii) (v) of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”
Mr. Okene was also charged with “possession without license or authority one double barrel gun number OJKAL 15-9191 and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 27(1) (b) (i) & (v) of the Firearms Act.”
The fourth Count Charge against Mr. Okene was, “that you Paul Tuoma Okene “m” on or about the 30th day of June 2020 at Paul Okene Street, Eku Community within the Jurisdiction of the Warri Division of the Federal High Court had in your possession without license or authority two live cartridges and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 27(1)(b)(ii)(v)of the Firearms Act Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”
The case which was listed as number five on the cause list came up for plea last Friday, but the presiding judge, Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite, could not sit because he was indisposed.
The case was therefore adjourned to October 28, for plea, Mr. Okene is now on administrative bail.
