Ex-NISA Boss For Trial Over Illegal Possession Of Firearms

A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed December 2, for the arraignment of a former president of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Chief Isaac Jolapamo, for alleged illegal possession of firearms.

The police have filed a three-count charge bordering on the alleged offence against Jolapamo before Justice Yelim Bogoro.

The police in charge number FHC/L/404c/22 accused the defendant of having in his possession several illegal firearms namely, a Mar-22 Calibre Rife, a pump-action firearm, and a Double-Barrell, all without lawful authorisation. Previous attempts made by the police to arraign the suspect were stalled due to his absence in court.

At the last sitting of the court, the police prosecutor, Anthony Iyeye, informed the court that the matter was for arraignment and for the defendant to take his plea.

However, Jolapamo’s counsel, Femi Falana (SAN) told the judge that the defendant has been hospitalised, so he could not make it to court to take his plea. Falana also presented a medical report to back up his claim when the prosecutor insisted that he was not aware of his ailment.

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Based on the development, Justice Bogoro stood down the case for five minutes to enable the prosecutor to confirm from the Investigating Police Office if the defendant would be brought to court.

After the consultations, Iyeye informed the court that the IPO confirmed to him that the defendant was not with him, and will not be present in court. He also urged the court to adjourn the suit to enable the defendant to attend his trial. Consequently, Justice Bogoro adjourned the suit till December 2, 2022, for arraignment.

The charges filed against the defendant reads: “That you, Mr Isaac Jolapamo ‘M‘, sometime in March 2021 in Ikoyi, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Court did commit a felony, to wit; unlawful possession of Mar-22 Calibre Rifle with reference number 967475; you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 3, and punishable under section 27(1)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act.