Customs Arraign Alleged Illegal Firearms Importer

Men of Nigeria Customs Services (NCS), have arraigned a man, Nnadi Christian Uchenna, before a Lagos Federal High Court, for unlawful importation of firearms.

Uchenna, a resident of 5, Ismaila Gafar Street, Igbogbo, off Ikorodu, Lagos, was arraigned before the court presided over by Justice Abimbola Awogboro on four counts charge of unlawful importation of 50 rounds of Nine(9) mm live ammunition, and making false declaration to the Nigeria Customs Services.

Nigeria Customs through its prosecutor, Queenette E. Egbe, while arraigning the alleged arms smuggler, informed the court that the defendant was arrested on February 25,2023, at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Ltd Import Shed 1 (SAHCOL SHED), Ikeja, Lagos.

The prosecutor told the court that the defendant, in his bid to smuggle the ammunition and concealed them inside three (3) tricycle tyres wrapped with a black nylon.

The prosecutor further told the court that the defendant in his bid to smuggle the ammunition to the country, made false declaration containing a total of Fifty(50), rounds of Nine (9) mm live ammunition as ‘Household Goods, Television, Shoes, Clothes, Gismor Drinks’ on Airwaybill numbered: 083-18509164 holding goods of a different description.

The prosecutor told the court that the defendant’s actions contravened sections 18 and 233(2) of Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (as amended) and punishable under section 27(1) (a) (iii) of the same Act.

The defendant denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Upon his not guilty plea, the prosecutor urged the court to remand him in custody till the determination of the charge.

However, counsel to the defendant, pleaded with the court to admit his client to bail in the most liberal terms, on the ground that the charges the defendant were bailable ones.

Meanwhile, Justice Awogboro has adjourned the matter till April 30, for hearing of the bail application.

Courts Once Four Of the Amended Charge Marked FHC/L//2024 read: “That you, Nnadi Christian Uchenna ‘M’ of No. 5 Ismaila Gafar Street, igbogbo, off [korodu, Lagos State on or about the 25th day of February, 2024 at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Ltd Import Shed 1 (SAHCOL SHED), Ikeja, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and did import a total of Fifty (50) rounds of Nine(9) mm live ammunition without a license duly granted by the President, the ammunition which were concealed inside three (3) tricycle tyres wrapped with a black nylon imported through Murtala Muhammed Cargo Area, Lagos State and did commit a felony, to wit: illegal importation of ammunition, an offence contrary to section 18 of Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (as amended) and punishable under section 27(1) (a) (iii) of the same Act.

“That you, Nnadi Christian Uchenna ‘M’ of No. 5 Ismaila Gafar Street, Igbogbo, off Ikorodu, Lagos State on or about the 25th day of February, 2024 at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Ltd Import Shed 1 (SAHCOL SHED), Ikeja, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did import into Lagos, Nigeria, knowingly and with intent to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria, therefore made untrue declaration containing a total of Fifty(50), rounds of Nine (9) mm live ammunition as ‘Household Goods, Television, Shoes, Clothes, Gismor Drinks’ on Airwaybill: 083-18509164 holding goods of a different description and thereby committed an of and contrary to and punishable under section 233(2) of the Nigeria Custom, Services Act. 2023. 

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