Court Remands Two Over Firearms Possession

Two accused persons, Goodluck Friday, 18, and Kingsley Isaac, 28, have been remanded by a Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate for an alleged armed robbery and possession of illegal fire arms.

The accused persons are standing trial on four count charge on armed robbery, possession of fire arms, stealing and belonging to secret society before Chief Magistrate I.F. Iyiabo.

The Police Prosecuting Officer, Inspector Wilson Isaiah told the court that the accused persons and others now at large on the 28th day of March, 2013 at No. 17 Egede Street, Mile I, Diobu, Port Harcourt in Port Harcourt magisterial district did conspire among themselves to commit felony to wit: armed robbery.

The police prosecutor alleged that the accused persons and others now at large on the same date and place in the aforesaid magisterial district while armed with gun and other dangerous weapons did rob one Abigail Friday the sum of forty-nine thousand naira (N49,000.00), one Airtel phone valued three thousand, five hundred naira (N3,500), one Nokia H1 120 phone valued at four thousand naira (N4,000), one Nokia C2 valued at three thousand naira (N3,000), three pieces of Nokia C1 phone valued nine thousand (N9,000.00), total valued sixty eight thousand five hundred naira (N68,500.00)

The prosecutor further alleged that the accused persons on the 16th day of August, 2012, at Anozie Street Mile II Diobu, within the jurisdiction of the Port Harcourt magisterial district did belong to De-gbam, a cult group and participated in their activities which caused breach of peace within the area.

He averred that the accused persons committed an offence punishable under section 1 (2), 6(b) of the robbery and fire arms (special provisions) Acts Cap R11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and section 7(c), 1(7) of the secret cult and similar activities law No. 6 of Rivers State 2004.

The accused persons however did not take any plea on the allegations brought against them.

In his ruling, the presiding Chief Magistrate I.F. Iyiabo, declined jurisdiction on the matter and remanded the accused persons to prison custody. He directed the registrar of the court to remit the original case file to the chief registrar who will in turn forward the original file to the office of DPP for legal advice.

He however told the accused persons that they are at liberty to approach any High Court for their bail and later adjourned the matter to 30/th May, 2013 for mention.