Iranian, Nigerian Docked For Importing 14 Containers Of Arms

An Iranian national, Azim Oghajany and his alleged Nigerian collaborator, Ali Abass Usman Jega alleged to have imported into the country, 14 container load of firearms, were today arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, South-West Nigeria.

In a three-count charge filed before the court by a Deputy Director from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mrs. Olufemi Fatunde, the two accused persons, on 17 July, 2010, in Lagos did import into Nigeria, 14 container load of firearms prohibited under Part 1 of the schedule to the Firearms Act Cap 528 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(14)(a)(i) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under section 1(14) of the same act.

The two accused persons were alleged on the same day in Lagos to have made falsified declaration of 13 container load of firearms as glass wool and tablets of stone in the original bill of laden, being the document made for the purpose of Customs and Excise and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 161(1)(a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act.

The two accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Mrs. Fatunde, told the court that in view of the plea of the two accused persons, the court should fix a date for trial while the accused persons be remanded in the custody of State Security Service, SSS.

However, their counsel, Mr. Adebayo Onifade, holding the brief of Chris Uche, SAN, objected to the prosecutor’s request and asked that they be remanded in prison custody.

The presiding judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke adjourned the matter till 15, 16 and 17 February, 2011 for the trial of the accused to commence.

He ordered the two accused persons to be remanded in the custody of the SSS.

—Akin Kuponiyi