An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo has sentenced six individuals to two years in prison for conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms during the 2023 general election in the state.
The defendants — Yinusa Rahmon, Moshood Hamzat, Awotunde Gbenga, Adebayo Mutiu, Femi Taiwo, and Najeem Omotuntun — were arraigned by the Federal Government, represented by counsel Fatima Adesina, on three counts: conspiracy to possess firearms, unlawful possession of firearms, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
Their offences contravened Sections 121 and 126(1)(f), as well as Section 125(1)(i) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
In a Certified True Copy of the judgment dated July 11, 2025, Justice M. Awe found all six defendants guilty on the first two counts but discharged them on the third count, which alleged conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
According to the court proceedings, the defendants admitted under cross-examination that they were arrested by Department of State Services operatives on March 18, 2023, within the premises of a hotel in Ila Orangun, Osun State, while the House of Assembly election was ongoing.
Prosecution witnesses testified that the men were found in possession of two locally made barrel guns, two cutlasses, one battle axe, one Fulani sword, and six cartridges on the day of their arrest.
Justice Awe ruled that while the prosecution proved the first two charges, it failed to establish that the defendants behaved in a way likely to disturb public peace. As a result, they were acquitted on that count.
Each of the defendants received the following sentences:
Count One (Conspiracy to Possess Firearms): One year imprisonment with hard labour or an option of a ₦100,000 fine.
Count Two (Unlawful Possession of Firearms): Two years imprisonment with hard labour or a ₦200,000 fine.
Justice Awe ruled that the prison terms would run concurrently, while the fines are cumulative.
