Edo Lawmaker Remanded In Prison For Illegal Possession Of Firearms

An Edo State lawmaker, who represents Etsako West Constituency I in the state Assembly, Mr.

Rasaq Momoh, has been remanded in Prisons custody in Auchi by a Magistrate court for allegedly being in possession of fire arms.

Momoh was arrested April 20, 2013 for unlawful possession of firearms and arraigned arraigned on May 2, 2013 was allegedly arrested during the Edo State local government elections in Agbede, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

He was, however, on May 2, 2013 remanded in police custody instead of prison on health grounds as pleaded before Mrs. Caroline Nwoha by his counsel, Mr Olayiwola Afolabi.

The court had reserved ruling for yesterday after listening to the amendment of the earlier charge of unlawful possession of firearms to that of robbery.

Mr. Daniel Mato, Prosecutor and representative of the Edo State Commissioner of Police, had also prayed that the case be transferred to the state high court for hearing, adding that the charge had nothing to do with electoral offences.

He argued that it was only a mere coincident that the offence was committed the same day the council polls took place.

On Tuesday, Mrs. Nwoha in her ruling said her court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter just as therefore ordered that the case file be duplicated and sent to Director of Public Prosecutor, DPP, for advice.