Re – Ikeja Court Jails US Major 10 Years Over Illegal Possession Of Arms

Attention has been drawn to a news item with the headline “Ikeja court jails a US Major for 10 years over illegal possession of Arms” published on the internet by the News Agency of Nigeria. This refutal became necessary in order to put the record of the facts and what actually happened to Major Wisdom Ogbewekon Osemwende.

What actually happened to the Major started early in 2011 when he traveled to Nigeria on official assignment with other members of the US Army to train some senior officers, the Police, Army, Airforce, NSO, SSS, FRSC and NEMA and other resource persons for Disaster Relief and Pandemic Response at the Eko Hotels Lagos Nigeria.

Later, after some months he flew back into the country for his wedding ceremony which took place at Akwa — Ibom and brought in a vehicle for the wife and unfortunately for him, he forgot to clear the glove compartment of the vehicle where he left his ammunition legally obtained in the USA. The ammunition was discovered by the brother who went to collect the vehicle and other baggage.

The brother was arrested while he was about to take a bus to Benin and taken to Sabo Police station and later transferred to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Ikeja - The US base Major voluntarily went to the station himself where he identified himself to the officer and was subsequently detained and the voluntary initial statements he made were rejected and he was made to compromise the statement to the one that suited their ulterior motive on the ground that the issue is being resolved, but the case was charged to court under the Robbery and firearms Act where it has similar provision under the criminal code.

According to the investigation, he (Major) vehemently protested during the trial that he was harassed by the police and his statement taken under duress.
He was however sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for illegal possession of arms.

The question being asked here and facts the public need to know is:

(1) The court in question does not have the jurisdiction on the matter and was not competent to try any offence under the statute he was charged.

(2) Major Ogbewekon voluntarily turned himself in to the station admitting that he mistakenly brought the bullet into the country.

(3) The said ammunitions could not be used for a berretta, SMG or Pump Action as alleged by the Nigeria Police. If a Nigerian Police Officer cannot tell what a 9mm bullets that fits what pistol then the officer need to be retrained.

(4) For even identifying himself to the police and claiming ownership of the 9mm bullet is enough for him to have simply been warned and the 9mm bullet confiscated.

(5) For his identity and the fact that he was in the country some months ago (October) to train some officers on Disaster Relief and Pandemic Response at Eko Hotels is enough identity and being a serving major, if he wanted to bring in arms into the country, is it 9mm bullets he would be bringing in as ‘a serving major in the US Army? He would have to bring in container loads.

The clearance became necessary so that the name of the officer Major Ogbewekon would not be tarnished by some police officers who are overzealous.