The Federal Government, through the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, is set to arraign 10 suspects today (Monday) on terrorism charges related to the alleged importation of illegal firearms and ammunition valued at N4 billion in June.
Sources revealed to The PUNCH on Sunday that the investigation into the large cache of arms and ammunition, which was intercepted by the Nigerian Customs Service at the Onne Port in Port Harcourt, has been completed. The operation in June led to the seizure of a 40-foot container carrying 844 rifles and 112,500 live rounds of ammunition, hidden among items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags.
The container reportedly originated from Turkey, with a duty-paid value estimated at N4 billion.
An insider from the arms control center confirmed that the 10 suspects, who were apprehended in Abuja, would appear in court today before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The source stated, “The investigation has been finalized. Ten suspects were arrested, while others remain at large. The suspects will be arraigned on Monday before Justice Emeka Nwite in Abuja.”
According to the charge sheet, the defendants—Ali Ofoma, Okechukwu Charles, Kingsley Chinasa, Oroghodo Maxwell, Akinkuade Segun, Augustine Elechi, Osumini Kennedy, Ajala Ojo, Faboro Oluwatimilehin, and Tolulope Ogundepo—face four charges, including acts of terrorism, illegal importation of prohibited firearms, and forgery.
The defendants are accused of conspiring with others still at large to import 844 firearms and 112,500 cartridges, concealed within plumbing materials and other items inside a 40-foot container with Registration Number MAEU-9165396. The charges state that this offense contravenes Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Additionally, the Federal Government accuses the defendants of forging a bill of lading, altering the consignment’s recipient from Ola Gold Maratine Services to Dan Autos Limited, and redirecting the container from the West African Container Terminal to WAX Logistics Limited, intending to cover up their illegal activities.
The charges further allege that Ofoma, Charles, and others, on or around June 20, 2024, at the Onne Port Terminal, committed an act of terrorism by transporting prohibited weapons and other dangerous substances into Nigeria on board the Maersk Vigo Ship. This act is said to violate the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons and is punishable under Section 39(1)(a)(i) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Lastly, the defendants are accused of importing arms and ammunition into Nigeria without the necessary license or authority, violating Section 18 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and are punishable under Section 27(a)(iii) of the same Act.
