By CALEB AYANSINA
ABUJA – An Abuja magistrate court, yesterday, remanded in prison custody, one 21-year- old Chidiebere Matthew, brought before it by the police for illegally carrying one locally made pistol and four rounds of live ammunition.

The presiding magistrate, Binta Mohammed, in her ruling said in view of serious implication of the charge, the accused is hereby denied bail and remanded in prison custody until a written application with sworn affidavit is brought and argued by the accused.

The accused was arrested on December 23, 2010 at CBN junction Karu Abuja, with one locally made revolver pistol, four rounds of live ammunition and an army camouflage fez cap by the member of Special Anti-Robbery Square, SARS.

The police arraigned him on a two-count criminal charge of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition contrary to section 3 and 8 and punishable under section 27(a)(i) and 27(b)(ii) of fire – arms act CAP f28 LFN 2004.

At the trial the prosecution counsel, Mr Boniface Asogwa opposed the bail of the accused on the grounds that the offence is not ordinarily bailable and there is tendency that the accused might jump bail if granted.

“In view of the magnitude of the offence and the series of killing at present, there is serious risk of jumping bail if granted. He has no fixed address and nobody has come for him since several months of his being arrested,” he argued.

According to the charge sheet “that you Chidiebere Matthew 21years on 23 – 12 – 2010 at CBN junction karu within FCT magisterial district did unlawfully have in your possession one locally made revolver pistol, four rounds of live ammunition and an army camouflage fez cap which you could not give satisfactory account of how you come by them”.
The matter is adjourned till May 6 for hearing.