By Onozure Dania

Lagos—A prosecution witness, Bariu Agbogunloko, in the ongoing trial of four persons facing illegal possession of firearms and ammunition charges, told a Federal High Court, in Lagos, yesterday, how police arrested the defendants.

The defendants are Ganiyu Alabi, David Murphy, Folarin Isiaka and Kehinde Isiaka. They were docked before Justice Ibrahim Buba on a three-count charge preferred against them by the police.

The police alleged that the defendants and others at large, on October 15, 2016, at about 10a.m., invaded Oko-Olomi community in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, while armed with three pump action guns with numbers 2856, 8976, and 2598, a double-barrelled gun and two live cartridges.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, are contrary to and punishable under section 516,27(1)(a)(I) and 27(1)(B)(ii) of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

However the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. At the resumed hearing of the trial, yesterday Abogunloko, who is also a victim of the illegal property demolition at Oko-Olomi community was led in evidence by the prosecutor, E T Abi.

He narrated how their properties were demolished by the invaders, adding that the incident occurred on April 17, 2016, in the morning.

He said that all the property owners in the area were also threatened with gun before their properties were demolished.

The witness further told the court that the matter was reported at Area J Police Division and Elemoro Police Station but nothing was done, which made them to petition Police Headquarters in Abuja.

Justice Buba adjourned till March 10, for further hearing in the matter.