Two men who claimed to be businessmen, were on Friday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for alleged unlawful possession of a gun and two live cartridges.

The accused, Usman Buba, 26, and Mohammed Abdullahi, 25, residents of Ajah area of Lagos, are standing trial on a charge of unlawful possession of firearms.

The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Simeon Imhonwa, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 21, at midday at Fola Osibo St., Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, during a stop and search operation.

Imhonwa said the accused could not give the police any satisfactory explanation about how they got the pistol and two live cartridges.

He said the offence committed by the accused, contravened Section 326 of the Robbery and Fire Arms Act, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.

In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs B.O. Osunsanmi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties each in like sum.

Osunsanmi said the sureties must be gainfully employed and should provide evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government and adjourned the case until July 13, for trial.