One Abubakar Aliu and his travelling companion, Aruna Tukur from the northern part of the country have been sentenced to five years imprisonment in Ondo state.

Aliu, a commercial driver and his conductor, Tukur, who were suspected to be ‘terrorists’ were sentenced alongside 11 other northerners passengers at the weekend by a Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Akure, the capital of Ondo.

They were convicted by the Magistrates’ Court for illegal possession of firearms and conspiracy, according to NAN.

Other convicts are; Abdularasaq Idris, Rufai Nura, Sagri Musa, Imarana Bello, Tasiu Suliaman, Musa Bala, Saliu Saidu, Musur Adamu, Abduhlai Ibrahim, Imarana Yusuf, Abdulahi Mustafa, and Mubarak Tsalhs.

Damilola Sekoni, the Chief Magistrates, who ruled on the case, said that the defendants were all found guilty of two out of the three counts levelled against them before the court.

Sekoni explained that his ruling was based on the ‘circumstantial evidence’ presented before the court by the prosecution during trials.

“In the instances of the avalanche of evidence before me, all the defendants were guilty of the first charge.

“The 11th and 13th defendants who are the driver and his conductor were guilty of the second charge,” he said.

According to the Magistrate, both sentences are to run concurrently without the option of a fine.

Sekoni also condemned the action of the defendants while adding that “the judgement would serve as a deterrent to those who would want to indulge in such an act.”

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