Justice O. F. Enenmo of a High Court sitting in Kwale, Delta State, has sentenced one Olise Ashiwe, ‘m’, to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour for illegal possession of firearms.
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The judge, however, asked the convict to pay a fine of N10, 000. Ashiwe was arraigned on 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 said to have some time in June 20, 2019, at Afiaze road Kwale robbed one Onwubolu Esther Chibueze, a female of her Tecno K8 Android phone valued at N40, 000, while armed with a gun. 
 
On count two, the defendant was said to have in his possession, one cut-to-size gun, without a valid licence.  During the trial, the defendant denied the charges and pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge, as he gave evidence without calling any witness.
 
But, the prosecution called one witness and closed its case. In his judgment, Justice Enenmo held that the prosecution failed to prove the offence of armed robbery against the defendant.  
 
However, the judge said that the prosecution proved the offence of illegal possession of firearms against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt, and therefore found him guilty in count two of the charge.
 
The Judge said in the light of the plea of allocutus by the defendant’s counsel, he decided to sentence him to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour or to pay a fine of N10,000.
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