10 Nigerians To Be Arraigned For N4Billion Illegal Arms Import, Charged With Terrorism
Ten suspects are set to face terrorism charges today, Monday, over their alleged involvement in the illegal importation of firearms and ammunition worth N4 billion in June 2024.
The suspects will be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The firearms and ammunition were reportedly smuggled into the country, concealed within various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags.
The arms haul included 844 prohibited firearms and 112,500 rounds of cartridges, hidden inside a 40-foot container.
The Federal Government, through the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, charged the ten defendants—Ali Ofoma, Okechukwu Charles, Kingsley Chinasa, Oroghodo Maxwell, Akinkuade Segun, Augustine Elechi, Osumini Kennedy, Ajala Ojo, Faboro Oluwatimilehin, and Tolulope Ogundepo.
They are facing four charges, including terrorism, illegal arms importation, and forgery.
Court documents revealed that the defendants conspired to alter the bill of lading from Ola Gold Maritime Services to Dan Autos Limited and diverted the container’s delivery route in an attempt to cover up their illegal activities.
The charges, filed under Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, highlight the severity of the offence, which is considered a serious threat to national security.
The charge sheet stated: “That you, Ofoma, Charles, and others still at large, on or about June 20, 2024, at Onne Port Terminal, and following your subsequent arrest in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, knowingly and intentionally, along with others at large, committed an act of terrorism by transporting prohibited weapons and dangerous substances aboard the Maersk Vigo Ship with bill of lading number 238921355, containing container number MAEU-9165396, into the country.
“This act was deemed prejudicial to national security and a violation of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, constituting an offense punishable under Section 39(1)(a)(i) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.”
It further stated that Ofoma, Charles, and the other suspects were accused of importing arms and ammunition into the country without the necessary licenses or authorization, in violation of Section 18 of the Firearms Act Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and punishable under Section 27(a)(iii) of the same Act.
Credit: saharareporters.com
