The Nigerian government will indict 10 people for allegedly importing illegal firearms

The Federal Government will arraign 10 suspects for their alleged involvement in the illegal importation of firearms and ammunition worth N4 billion into the country on Monday.

The suspects, who were arrested in Abuja, will be arraigned by the National Center for Small Arms and Light Weapons Control on charges of 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 alleges the defendants conspired to illegally import 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of ammunition hidden in pipe materials and other items into the country.

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The offence was said to be in contravention of Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The federal government also accused the defendants of altering bills of lading and diverting the movement of containers to conceal their illegal intent to import prohibited weapons and ammunition.

The indictment reads: “That you Ofoma, Charles and others who are still at large on or about the 20th day of June 2024, at the Onne Port Terminal and your subsequent arrest in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did wilfully and knowingly together with others who are now at large, commit acts of terrorism namely: you transported prohibited arms and other dangerous substances on board the Vessel Maersk Vigo with bill of lading number 238921355 carrying container number MAEU-9165396 into the country thereby committing an act prejudicial to national security and in breach of the 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 charged with importing arms and ammunition without the necessary license or authority, contrary to Section 18 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (a) (iii) of the same Act.

Nigerian government to charge 10 over alleged illegal importation of firearms first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.