Driver charged with stealing ex-governor’s pistol

A 20-year-old man has been brought before an Ebute-Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing the pistol of a retired Deputy Inspector-General of police.

Ehis Iyere was arraigned on one-count of stealing the Beretta pistol of Mr. Fidelis Oyakhilome on May 10, 2003.

Oyakhilome was the military governor of Rivers State between 1984 and 1986 during the military administrations of Generals Muhammadu Buhari and Ibrahim Babangida.

Iyere, said to be the Oyakhilome’s driver at the time of the alleged crime, had been declared wanted since 2003 before he was arrested recently.

The charge read, “That you (Iyere), at Lekki Phase 1, stole one Beretta pistol, which had yet to be valued, property of the Nigeria Police Force, issued to Oyakhilome, a retired DIG.”

The prosecutor, Mr. Essien Essien, said the offence contravened Section 285 (7), Criminal Code Laws of Lagos, 2011.

Iyere pleaded not guilty to the charge.

However, Magistrate M. Olajuwon granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 and one surety in like sum.

The case was adjourned till June 28 for further hearing.

PUNCH