FG Arraigns 3 Men For Unlawful Importation Of 440 Pump Action Rifles
Three men and two companies accused of unlawfully bringing 440 pieces
of pump action riffles, and unassembled parts of same firearm into the
country, on May 22, 2017 were Wednesday arraigned by the federal
government.
The accused persons: Chihozie Uzochukwu, Mordi Innocent Chukwurah,
Ifeanyi Igwewena- two companies; Hizec Marine Services LTD and Patfimo
Marine Services LTD, were arraigned by the government before the
Federal High Court in Lagos on a seven count charge of unlawful
importation, forgery and conspiracy.
According to the charge sheet; the men and their companies, “on or
about 18th of April to 22nd of May, 2017 at Tin Can Island Port,
Apapa, Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did
conspired together to illegally import without lawful authority into
Nigeria 440 pieces of Pump Action Riffles and unassembled parts of
Pump Action Riffles Firearms loaded inside 1X20FT container number
PONU 210024/1 and thereby committed an offense contrary to section
3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Lae of the Federation,
2004 and punishable under the same section of the same Act”
Count three of the charge accused them of uttering, “a bill of laden
No 96114787 issued of the 9th of May, 2017to read “Durban-South
Africa” as point of loading instead of “Istanbul – Ambali – Turkey”
with intent that it will be used and acted upon as genuine. By the
customs officer and thereby commuter an offense contrary to section 1
(2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, laws of the
Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the same section and
same act.”
In addition, count 5 of the charge alleges that defendants forged
application to import document (Form M) with the number MF
20170041430, to read Promona -South Africa as country of origin
instead of Turkey.
It was similarly alleged that the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR)
document issued on April 21, 2017 was uttered to read South Africa
instead of Turkey.
The final count says, “That you Paltimo Morin’s Service Ltd and Mordi
Innocent Chukwurah on or about 18th April to 22nd of May 2017, at Tin
Can Island Port, Apapa – Lagos within the jurisdiction of this
honorable court uttered a bill of lading No 960114787 said to contain
“574 packages of Antisera and Cannulate” from Turkey instead of 440
Pump Action Riffles (fire arms) as content of the container No PONU
210024/1 with intent to conceal criminal activity and actual nature of
the goods in the container and thereby committed an offense contrary
to Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous offenses Act, Cap M17, law of
the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the same section
of the same act”.
Having read the charges to the five defendants who pleaded not guilty,
the defense team argued the bail applications earlier filed before the
court.
The lawyers argued that the offenses are bail able, adding that bail
is at the discretion of the court and hence pleaded the court to
exercise its discretion in favor of their clients.
The prosecutor, Mr. Julius Ajakaye, opposed the bail application,
stating that the offenses are grievous.
However, Justice Ibrahim Aikawa, the presiding judge, adjourned he
matter to March 14 and 15 for commencement of trial and ruling on the
bail applications.
The defendants are to be remanded in prison custody.
