A Military General Court Marshal sitting in Maiduguri on Wednesday sentenced two soldiers to 23 years imprisonment each for unlawful possession of firearms.
The President of the Court Marshal , Lt.-Col . Adamu Hassan , who delivered the verdict said that the court had found the suspects guilty as charged and sentenced them under sections 27 ( 1) ( A and B ) ( I and II ) of the Firearms Act.
Hassan said that the court was convinced by the prosecution evidences presented against the suspects on the five - count charge , and therefore sentenced each of the convicts to 23 years imprisonment.
He added that the verdict would run consecutively.
The soldiers were arraigned in the court on a five - count of conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms contrary to section 3 of the Fire Arms Act.
The Lead Prosecution Counsel , Lt Col Nkenah Nyaro , had earlier told the court that the convicts were apprehended while in possession of five empty- magazines of AK 47 rifle and 20, 136 rounds of 7. 62 mm special ammunition.
Other charges were the unlawful possession of several rounds of NATO ammunition , two rounds of Brownie machine gun and conspiracy to steal.
The prosecution argued that the convicts, Trooper Eric Nwokere and Trooper M Fortune , were arrested while in possession of the ammunition at Jumputu Motor Park , Jimeta, Yola, while boarding a commercial vehicle to an unknown destination.
In his submission , the Defence Counsel , Mr S . M . Bala , pleaded for leniency , in view of the fact that the soldiers were never convicted before .
“ The suspects spent 16 months in detention . We pray for prescription of fine or demotion as against imprisonment, ” Bala said.
Delivering the verdict , the President of the Court , noted that the decision of the court was arrived at, after the close of submissions by both the prosecution and defence counsels.
“ 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 is a very touchy litigation . There is the need to ensure sanity, discipline and security of our dear country especially as the counter- insurgency war continues, ” the president said.
Meanwhile , the court has convicted and sentenced another soldier , Cpl Garba Saidu, to 10 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition .
The soldier was arraigned in the court on two counts of illegal possession of 2 , 800 rounds of 7. 2mm ( Special ) ammunition.
He was arrested after the discovery of the ammunition hidden in a poultry farm in Maiduguri metropolis .
He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on the two charges.
The 7 Division General Court Marshal was inaugurated to try misconduct committed by officers and men fighting insurgency in the North - East .
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