The Federal Government, via the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, is set to arraign 10 suspects today in connection with a massive N4 billion illegal firearms importation case. The charges are rooted in their alleged involvement with a significant cache of arms and ammunition seized by the Nigerian Customs Service in June.
In June, the Nigerian Customs intercepted a 40-foot container at Onne Port in Port Harcourt, reportedly containing 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition. The arms were cleverly concealed among various items, including doors, furniture, and plumbing fixtures.
The container, which originated from Turkey, is valued at N4 billion. An inside source confirmed that the 10 suspects, apprehended in Abuja, will face charges in court today. The case has been assigned to Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The charge sheet identifies the suspects as Ali Ofoma, Okechukwu Charles, Kingsley Chinasa, Oroghodo Maxwell, Akinkuade Segun, Augustine Elechi, Osumini Kennedy, Ajala Ojo, Faboro Oluwatimilehin, and Tolulope Ogundepo. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/463/2024, the charges include acts of terrorism, illegal importation of prohibited firearms, and forgery.
The defendants are accused of conspiring to import 844 firearms and 112,500 rounds of ammunition concealed in plumbing materials within a container registered under MAEU-9165396, a violation of the Miscellaneous Offences Act. Furthermore, they reportedly modified the bill of lading to obscure their illegal activities and diverted the container’s route, thus committing forgery.
The charges assert that the suspects knowingly participated in an act of terrorism by transporting prohibited weapons into the country, an action that compromises national security and breaches the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons. Additionally, the suspects are cited for importing the arms without the necessary licensing, violating the Firearms Act.
