Court Remands 10 Suspects Over N4bn Illegal Arms Importation Case

Court Remands 10 Suspects Over N4bn Illegal Arms Importation Case

Ten suspects have been remanded in the custody of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force over their alleged involvement in illegal firearms and importation of ammunition worth N4 billion by the order of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday.

The importation of the arms was done in June 2024.

The ten defendants who were arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite include: Ali Ofoma, Okechukwu Charles, Kingsley Chinasa, Oroghodo Maxwell, Akinkuade Segun, Augustine Elechi, Osumini Kennedy, Ajala Ojo, Faboro Oluwatimilehin and Tolulope Ogundepo.

The defendants were arraigned on a six-count bordering on terrorism, and importation of firearms, among others.

All ten defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/463/2024, pleaded not guilty.

During the appearance of legal representation, 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.

The 6th and 7th defendants had no legal representation.
Deji Adeyanju and George Ogala who were in court for another matter, volunteered to represent them for free but they declined.

The 6th defendant explained to the open court that he was served Sunday night and that is the reason he is in court without a lawyer. He insisted that he would get his lawyer to represent him.

With the defendants unable to take their plea because of the 6th and 7th defendants who had no legal representation, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter till September 9, 2024, for arraignment.

He ordered that the defendants “be remanded in the IRT’s custody.”