‘Prohibited, lethal firearms found with Justice Ademola’ – Witness

The police officer saddled with the ballistics of the two firearms found in possession of Justice Adeniyi Ademola today told an FCT High Court the firearms are prohibited and lethal. Tanimu Jeremiah, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, led in evidence as the fourteenth witness by the prosecution counsel, Barrister Segun Jegede told the court the […]

The police officer saddled with the ballistics of the two firearms found in possession of Justice Adeniyi Ademola today told an FCT High Court the firearms are prohibited and lethal.

Tanimu Jeremiah, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, led in evidence as the fourteenth witness by the prosecution counsel, Barrister Segun Jegede told the court the firearms are prohibited because they are automatic
firearms and that there working mechanism are in order, therefore they are lethal weapons.

He said on Thursday that the Firearms Act (1990) stated that any firearm that is either automatic or semi-automatic or has any device that can reload itself falls under the category of prohibited firearms.

He said the two firearms are automatic Jeremiah added that by implication, firearms in this category cannot be on ordinary license but can only be licensed by the President on discretion.

The ballistic report of his findings on the two firearms dated 03/02/2017 were tendered and admitted in evidence as exhibit.

Under cross examination by Justice Ademola’s counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the witness said he did not state in the report that it is only the President that can issue license for automatic firearms.

He said he doesn’t know the year the said Firearms Acts came into effect.

He said he doesn’t know if prior to the year Firearms Acts took effect, there are authorities the can issue the license.

He said he was not shown any license in respect to the firearms when he was carrying out his findings.

"My work is to examine firearms and ascertain which category it belongs and issue a report. The issue of license is left with the Investigating police officer (IPO)", he said

He also confirmed that it is the Nigeria Police as an institution that is authorised to issue licenses for firearms in the country.

Jeremiah said he has been with the Nigeria Police for over 33 years, and as at the moment, he is the only officer with the knowledge of ballistics of firearms across the country. He received trainings from Russia.