Ten individuals implicated in the illegal importation of firearms and ammunition valued at N4 billion have been remanded in the custody of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, was set to arraign the suspects on Monday. However, the proceedings were postponed until September 12 due to the absence of legal representation for two of the defendants.
The accused are Ali Ofoma, Okechukwu Charles, Kingsley Chinasa, Oroghodo Maxwell, Akinkuade Segun, Augustine Elechi, Osumini Kennedy, Ajala Ojo, Faboro Oluwatimilehin, and Tolulope Ogundepo. They were apprehended in June for allegedly importing 844 rifles and 112,500 live ammunition from Turkey.
The consignment, concealed within a 40-foot container, was intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service at the Onne Port in Port Harcourt. The firearms and ammunition were hidden within items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags.
On Monday, eight of the defendants had legal representation, while the 6th and 7th defendants did not. Despite offers of free legal aid from activist Deji Adeyanju and lawyer George Ogala, the two defendants chose to seek their own legal counsel.
The 6th defendant informed the court that the charges were only served to him the previous night, which hindered his ability to secure a lawyer in time. Justice Nwite has adjourned the arraignment to September 12 and ordered that all defendants remain in IRT custody.
The prosecution accuses the defendants of conspiring to illegally import prohibited firearms and ammunition and of altering shipping documents to conceal their activities. These charges are in violation of sections of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
