Safi Abolaji

A 44-year-old man, Safi Abolaji aka Ojulari, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.

The ex-convict, was dragged before Justice Mahmoud Abdulgafar on a two-count charge of unlawful possession of firearms and belonging to a secret cult.

He was found in possession of two locally made pistols and one live cartridge at the APC rally held at Oju Ekun Sarumi ward on January 29, 2023.

The police had said in a statement issued by its former spokesman, Ajayi Okasanmi, that “Ojulari confessed to being a member of the opposition PDP after his arrest,” adding that “two locally-made short-guns with cartridges and some charms were found in his possession.

The police statement added that the “suspect was only recently released from the correctional facility after serving a prison term.

But while delivering the judgement, the court said prosecutors could not establish the offence of belonging to a secret cult.

The court sentenced Ojulari to 10 years imprisonment for the offence of illegal possession of a firearm.

Reacting to the judgement, the PDP state legal adviser, Barr Aborishade, said “Although he (Ojulari) was once a member of the PDP, he had left the party at the time of his arrest and sentence”.