The Federal Government will arraign 10 suspects for alleged involvement in the illegal importation of N4 billion worth of firearms and ammunition into the country on Monday.
The suspects, who were arrested in Abuja, will be arraigned by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons for terrorism, illegal importation of prohibited firearms, and forgery, among others, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The defendants are – Ali Ofoma, Okechukwu Charles, Kingsley Chinasa, Oroghodo Maxwell, Akinkuade Segun, Augustine Elechi, Osumini Kennedy, Ajala Ojo, Faboro Oluwatimilehin, and Tolulope Ogundepo.
The government alleged that the defendants conspired to illegally import 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of cartridges concealed in plumbing materials and other items to the country.
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The offence is said to be contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The federal government also accused the defendants of altering a bill of lading and diverting the movement of the container to cover up their illegal intention to import prohibited arms and ammunition.
The charge sheet read: “That you Ofoma, Charles and others at large on or about June 20, 2024, at Onne Port Terminal and your subsequent arrest in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did, knowingly and intentionally with others now at large, commit an act of terrorism to wit: you transported prohibited weapons and other dangerous substance on board a Maersk Vigo Ship with a bill of lading number 238921355 conveying a container number MAEU-9165396 into the country thereby committing an act prejudicial to national security and in violation of ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons and you thereby committed-an offence punishable under Section 39(1) (a) (i) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.”
The defendants were also accused of importing the arms and ammunition without the required license or authority, contrary to Section 18 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under section 27 (a) (iii) of the same Act.
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