Hotelier Gets N5m Bail Over Illegal Possession Of Guns
Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday granted bail to a Lagos-based hotelier, Oliver Nwodo, who was arraigned before the court, over allegations of illegal possession of guns, in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum.
Nwodo was arraigned before court, in November, 2017, for unlawful possession of two pump action guns and 400 cartridges, without lawful authority, and which he could not give satisfactory explanation of, by the men of Federal Criminal Intelligence and Investigation (FCIID), Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.
During his arraignment, FCIID, had alleged that the hotelier was arrested on August 22, 2017, at Alaba International Market, Alaba, Lagos, with two pump action guns marked 9266 and 7061, and 400 cartridges.
The offences according to the prosecutor, Barrister Morufu Animashaun, are contrary to and punishable under section 3(1) of the firearms Act. Cap. R11, and section 428 of the Criminal Code Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The accused persons had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following his not guilty plea, the prosecutor, Animashaun applied for a trial date, while he urged the court to remand the accused in prisons custody, till the determination of the case.
However, the defence lawyer, Mohammed Ogundele, informed the court of the accused person’s bail application. He therefore urged the court for a date to hear the application.
Ruling on the submissions of both parties, Justice Hassan, ordered that the accused person be remanded in prisons custody, pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
While ruling on the application, Justice Hassan conceded to the submissions made by the defence lawyers.
Consequently, the accused was admitted to bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum.
The surety, according to the trial judge, must be a landed property owner with Lagos state, who must also show to court evidence of three years tax payment.
The surety to be also ordered to deposit the land title document and his or her two recent passport photographs with the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR), and to also sworn to means of livelihood.
While the accused is ordered to deposit his two recent passport photographs and international passport with the court’s DCR.
The accused is ordered to be remanded in prisons custody pending the fulfillment of the bail terms, while the matter is adjourned till March 1, for trial.
