A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of 10 people in police custody pending trial over the illegal importation of firearms and ammunition valued at N4 billion.
The defendants allegedly committed the offences sometime in June 2024.
The defendants who were arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite are Ali Ofoma, Okechukwu Charles, Kingsley Chinasa, Oroghodo Maxwell, Akinkuade Segun, Augustine Elechi, Osumini Kennedy, Ajala Ojo, Faboro Oluwatimilehin, and Tolulope Ogundepo.
According to Persecondnews, the defendants are facing a six-count charge bordering on terrorism and illegal firearm importation, to which they pleaded not guilty.
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 court summons on Sunday night, and that is the reason he is in court without a lawyer and 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 adjourned 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 date of hearing.
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