By Our Reporter
A Federal High Court sitting in Awka has allegedly convicted an Onitsha based businessman Mr. Pius Nweke to 10 years in prison.
Nweke, owner of Best Aluminium Company was found guilty for unlawful possession of firearms on count 1 of his arraignment charge before the court.
A press release by Media Link Communications stated that he is also to spend 3 months in prison without any option of fine.
He was however acquitted on charges 3, 5 and 6 the press release stated.
The release read: “In convicting Chief Nweke on count 1 for 10years the judge said that the law which prescribed 10years jail term for the offence as contained in the firearms Act section 27 is very strict, and said that he has taken into account some provisions of the other sections of the ACJA 2015 which according to him provides the court with discretionary power to impose a fine in line with the law of imprisonment.
“He said that even when the law creating an offence provides that a defendant shall be sentenced without option of fine the court still has a discretion to impose a fine.
“The judge thereafter convicted Chief Pius Nweke for 10years on count 1, with an option of N30million, payable to the Federal Government of Nigeria, representing N3million for every prison year prescribed by law.
“On count 2 which bothered on unlawful possession of ammunition carrying a jail term not exceeding 5years the Judge sentenced Chief Nweke to 3 months imprisonment without option of fine.
“The judge further directed that after completing his jail term of 3months Chief Nweke should not be released until he presents to the court an undertaking backed by a sworn deposition in court that he would be of good behaviour and will maintain peace in his community and neighbouring communities.”
