The Bolgatanga Circuit Court has sentenced a 27-year-old man to 30 years in prison after convicting him of possessing a firearm without lawful excuse. Yakubu Mohammed Sadat, a Wala from the Upper West Region but resident in Bawku, was found guilty of possessing a locally manufactured revolver by the court, presided over by Mr William Boampong. Prosecuting, Sergeant Raphael Azanyitigah told the court that the convict, until his arrest, was working at the National Youth Employment Office in Bawku. He said about 4 p.m. on December 1, 2009, the police had a tipoff that the convict was carrying a locally manufactured revolver on his body in the Bawku township. The prosecutor told the court that Detective Lance Corporal Iddi Abdul Razak was immediately dispatched to the Zongo area where he located Sadat and effected his arrest. He said a search was conducted on the convict and a locally manufactured revolver concealed in a plastic bag was found on him. The convict had initially pleaded not guilty but when given an opportunity to explain himself, he told the court that the revolver had, indeed, been found on him and that it had been given to him by one Salia to be delivered to another person in town. The judge, after hearing the explanation, entered a plea of guilty and sentenced him accordingly. In his ruling, the presiding judge stated that the convict's explanation was no defence. Mr Boampong said he took into consideration the indiscriminate handling of firearms without lawful authority in Bawku and its environs and the threat to security in the area. Immediately the sentence was announced, Sadat broke down emotionally and nearly collapsed to the ground but he was helped back on his feet by the police officers in court. Source: Daily Graphic