The officers were dismissed from the force in November 2012.
Three dismissed policemen on Thursday appeared at the Federal High Court, Jos, on charges of illegal possession of firearms and accepting N105,000 bribe from an arms dealer.
The accused, Ishaya Ibrahim, 34; Torsham Ishem, 32; and James Isah, 36, were jointly charged with conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms and unlawful dealings with firearms, contrary to the constitution.
Also charged along with them was a suspected arms dealer, Selzing Chenwan, 23, who was intercepted with some firearms by the dismissed officers; but allegedly bribed them with the amount to go free.
According to the charge, the offence occurred on September 23, 2012 when the police officers intercepted an Opel Vectra carrying several AK-47 riffles allegedly belonging to Chenwan, the forth accused.
Mr. Chenwan was said to have negotiated with the trio to collect one AK-47 each and N105,000 bribe to set him free.
It was, however, alleged that on getting free, Mr. Chenwan immediately hid the riffles and reported to the Special Task Force, STF, that he had been dispossessed of N105,000 by some police officers at a check point.
He led the STF men to the check point where the police officers were arrested with three AK-47 rifles and the cash.
Following their arrest, they were subsequently detained, subjected to an orderly room trial, found guilty and dismissed from the force in November 2012.
However, the matter could not be heard following the absence of the STF personnel who led the arrest of the police officers at the checkpoint.
The State Counsel, Keturah Saliyuk, had earlier called a witness, Inspector Benjamin Okpara, who identified the dismissed policemen and the three riffles.
Justice Ambrose Allagoa adjourned further proceedings until May 6 for continuation of hearing, following an application by the counsel for an extension of time to produce more witnesses.
The application was not opposed by Ahonsi Columbus, counsel to the police officers, and Damon Dashe, representing the arms dealer.
(NAN)