From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
A middle-aged man, one Olise Ashiwe has been sentenced to ten years imprisonment with hard labour by a Delta State High Court sitting in Kwale for possession of illegal firearms.
Justice O.F Enenmo who handed down the sentence, however gave the convict an option of N10,000 fine.
Ashiwe faced a two-count charge of armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms punishable under section 1(2) (a) and section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearm (Special Provision Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, as amended).
He was alleged to have on or about the 20th day of June, 2019, at Afiaze road Kwale, robbed one Onwubolu Esther Chibueze of her Tecno K8 Android phone valued N40,000 while armed with a cut-to-size gun.
Ashiwe pleaded not guilty to the charges when they read to him. During trial, the prosecution called one witness while the defendant gave evidence in his defence, denying the charges.
Handing the sentence, the court held held that the prosecution failed to prove the offence of armed robbery in count 1 of the charges against the defendant.
Justice Enenmo however held that the prosecution proved the offence of illegal possession of firearms against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt, and thus found the defendant guilty in count 2.
But following the plea of allocutus by counsel to the defendant, the court sentenced the convict to ten years imprisonment with hard labour with the option of the N10,000 fine.