FCT: Court remands 10 persons over illegal arms importation
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja Monday remanded 10 suspects in the custody of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force.
The order was against the backdrop of their alleged involvement in illegal firearms and importation of ammunition worth N4 billion.
The act was allegedly committed sometimes in June 2024.
The defendants were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on terrorism and importation of firearms, among others.
All ten defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/463/2024, pleaded not guilty.
The defendants who were arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite are: Ali Ofoma, Okechukwu Charles, Kingsley Chinasa, Oroghodo Maxwell, Akinkuade Segun, Augustine Elechi, Osumini Kennedy, Ajala Ojo, Faboro Oluwatimilehin and Tolulope Ogundepo.
Following the Arms Centre’s conclusion on its investigation into the large cache of arms and ammunition intercepted by the Nigerian Customs Service, the federal government, through the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons arraigned the defendants in court.
The Nigerian Customs Service had, during one of its operations in June, intercepted a 40-foot container loaded with 844 rifles and 112,500 live ammunition at the Onne Port, in Port Harcourt.
The arms and ammunition were said to have been skillfully concealed within items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings and leather bags.
The intercepted container was also reported to have originated from Turkey and its duty-paid value was put at N4bn.
During their appearance, Ejeri Ekong appeared for the 1st and 2nd defendants, C. C. Agigi appeared for the 3rd defendant, G. O. Igule appeared for the 4th defendant, Hamid Ogunniyi made an appearance for the 5th, 9th and 10th defendants, while Samuel Ogala, made an appearance for the 8th defendant.
Meanwhile, the 6th and 7th defendants had no legal representation and efforts made by Deji Adeyanju and George Ogala who were in court for another matter, to represent them for free was turned down.
