Ibadan Federal High Court in Panic as Female Arms Dealer Collapses in Court

By: Israel Adeleke 

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that a suspected female arms dealer, Victoria Alabi, 45, collapsed at a Federal High Court in Ibadan where she was arraigned alongside one Morufu Balogun, 43, over an alleged sale of 39,070 rounds of ammunition and cartridges.

OTN further reports that the first defendant, Alabi, collapsed in the dock as the charges were being read to them, leading to panic in the courtroom as some court workers and lawyers moved to rescue the ailing defendant.

After the revival of Alabi, the defence counsel, Olalade Gbolagade, told the court that his client’s health had deteriorated over a period of time.

Gbolagade recalled that the first defendant was rushed to the University College Hospital while in the custody of the State Security Services.

He, consequently, prayed the court to grant Alabi’s bail application because of her health challenge, and also sought for the bail application of the second defendant, Balogun.

The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge of unlawful dealing, illegal sale, aiding and abetting as well as participation in terrorism.

Earlier, the SSS prosecution, Victor Alma, told the court that Alabi was arrested sometime in August 2023, at Egbeda-Mosafejo area of Ibadan, in possession of 39,070 rounds of ammunition and cartridges.

Alma added that Balogun, who lived at Alafara, Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State bought 10 packets of cartridges from one Michael who was not a registered or licensed arm seller.

According to the prosecutor, Balogun also sold 10 cartridges to one Isaih.

Alma stated that the offences contravened the provisions of sections 43 (1B), 3 M18 and 9(1), of the Terrorism and Prevention Act, 2022.

However, the presiding judge, Justice N.E. Maha, ordered the SSS to make provision for adequate treatment of the defendants.

Maha, adjourned the case until Nov. 28 for ruling on the bail application.