02-12-09 MAN JAILED 30 YEARS FOR POSSESSING ILLEGAL ARM IN BAWKU
A 27 year old staff of the National Youth Employment Programme, (NYEP), Yakubu Mohammed Sadat, had been sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for possessing a locally manufactured revolver pistol without authorization at Zongo a suburb of Bawku in the Upper East Region. The proceeding which took place at the Bolgatanga Circuit court was presided over by the Regional circuit Court Judge, Justice William Boampong. Yakubu Mohammed Sadat the accused, was arrested by the Bawku Police last Tuesday. According to Detective Lance Corporal Iddi Abu, who made the arrest said at about 4.pm on the said day, he had a tip off that the accused was illegally possessing a locally manufactured gun which according to him is contrary to the section 192 (1) as substituted by NLCD 398 of the criminal code. Upon the tip off, the suspect was arrested after a search conducted on him. A locally manufactured gun was found in the polythene bag that he was holding. He was quickly put under police custody and arraigned before court for possessing firearm without lawful excuse. The accused who pleaded not guilty with explanation said, the weapon was given to him by someone to be given to a friend at his place of residence. The explanation according to the court disclosed no defence. The Bolgatanga circuit court presided over by Justice Boampong therefore charged the accused person guilty and convicted him on his own plea. He was then sentenced to thirty years imprisonment for carrying arms without authority. Justice Boampong said the sentence would serve as a deterrent to people who deal in arms in Bawku and its environs. He deplored the proliferation of arm smuggling into the Bawku municipality and its environs and cautioned the people to desist from the act since those caught will be made to face the full rigors of the law.
GBC End IA/
No comments:
Post a Comment