Customs Arraign 3 Vietnamese, Others For Illegal Possession Of Pangolin Skins, Ivory
Three Vietnam citizens, two Nigerians and a citizen of Cameroon and Guinea were today, arraigned before a Lagos Federal High Court, by the men of Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) for alleged illegal possession dealing, assembling, storing, smuggling and trading of pangolin skin and elephant’s ivory.
The Vietnamese are Phan Viet Chi, Phan Hong Quan and Duong Van Thang. The Nigerians are Babangida Mahmoud; Olamilekan Adenekan, while the Guinea and Cameroon citizens in the charge are: Mory Berrette and Fofou Dadjo Evariste respectively.
Arraigning all the defendants before the court today, the prosecutor, Michael Osong, informed the court that all the defendants committed the offences between 2018 and 2022, in Lagos.
He told the court that the offences committed by all the defendants contravened Sections 3(6); 1(14)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offenc Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable unde section 1(14)(a) of the same Act; Sections 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. And sections 64; 64(1)(b) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, 2004, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 166 of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap. C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
He also told the court that the offence is section 3(1) & (2)(a) of the Customs and Excise (Special Penal and Other Provisions) Act, 2004 and punishable under section 3(3) of the same Act. And Section 5(1) of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, 2004 and punishable under section 5(1)(b) of the same Act.
All the defendants, however pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their plea, the prosecutor urged the court to remand them in the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) facility till the determination of the charge, while also asked for a trial date.
But the defendants through their counsel, told the court that they have filed their bail applications and served same on the prosecution, except the fourth defendant.
Justice Yellim Bogoro, after hearing from counsel, adjourned the matter till September 30, for trial.
The judge however ordered that all the defendants be remanded in the facility of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) till the hearing and determination of their bail application.
