A Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, ordered the remand of 10 suspects in police custody over their alleged involvement in illegal importation of firearms and ammunition valued at N4 billion naira.
According to the police, the defendants who were charged with six offenses, including terrorism and the illegal importation of firearms, made the Importation in June 2024.
The defendants in the case FHC/ABJ/CR/463/2024 unanimously pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The ten defendants who were arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite include: Ali Ofoma, Okechukwu Charles, Kingsley Chinasa, Oroghodo Maxwell, Akinkuade Segun, Augustine Elechi, Osumini Kennedy, Ajala Ojo, Faboro Oluwatimilehin and Tolulope Ogundepo.
The legal representatives for the defendants are Mr. Ejeri Ekong for defendants 1 and 2, Mr. C. C. Agigi for defendant 3, and Mr. G. O. Igule for defendant 4.
Additionally, Mr. Hamid Ogunniyi represented defendants 5, 9, and 10, while Mr. Samuel Ogala represented defendant 8.
Defendants 6 and 7 appeared in court without legal representation.
Although Mr. Deji Adeyanju and Mr. George Ogala, who were present for an unrelated case, offered to provide pro bono representation, the defendants opted to decline their offer.
The 6th defendant explained to the open court that he was served Sunday night and that is the reason he is in court without a lawyer.
He insisted that he would get his lawyer to represent him.
Due to the absence of legal representation for the 6th and 7th defendants, the court was unable to proceed with the plea.
As a result, Justice Nwite postponed the case until September 12, 2024, for arraignment.
The judge ordered the defendants to be remanded in the custody of the Intelligence Response Team(IRT) until the next hearing.
