A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of three men arrested by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over an alleged attempt to unlawfully import pump-action rifles and ammunition into Nigeria.
Justice Friday Ogazi ordered that Kenneth Mbonu, Kenneth Agwu and Choima Onuoha be remanded in custody for 15 days to allow Customs investigators to conclude their inquiries into the alleged offence.
The suspects are to remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service until September 1, 2026, when the court is expected to receive an update on the investigation or consider their possible arraignment.
The case involves a container marked TEMU 184536/9, which reportedly arrived at a Nigerian port aboard the vessel MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026.
Customs officials allegedly discovered firearms and ammunition concealed inside the container during an examination conducted on July 13.
The latest remand order follows an earlier directive by Justice Ogazi concerning two other suspects, Ejiogu Godson and Revert Eze, who were also detained in connection with the same consignment.
Customs, through its lawyers, David Ereh and Kehinde Bode-Ayeni, approached the court with an ex parte application seeking permission to keep the three suspects in custody while investigations continued.
The application was brought pursuant to relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Federal High Court Rules.
The agency had initially sought approval to keep the suspects at the Enforcement Unit of the Tin Can Island Port in Apapa pending the conclusion of investigations and any subsequent prosecution.
Customs told the court that investigators could not complete the inquiry within the constitutionally prescribed 24- or 48-hour period, noting that the alleged offences were indictable and within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
The agency further informed the court that its Legal Unit at the Tin Can Island Area Command would prosecute the suspects if investigations established a prima facie case against them.
In an affidavit filed in support of the application, a litigation officer, N. Akpan, said the investigation commenced after Customs received intelligence regarding the container.
According to the affidavit, the Customs Area Controller directed officers of the Enforcement Unit to monitor the container following its arrival on July 8.
Akpan said the subsequent examination of the container on July 13 allegedly led to the discovery of firearms and ammunition concealed inside, resulting in the arrest of the three suspects.
He added that the investigation was later expanded after information allegedly provided by the suspects directed investigators towards other individuals suspected of involvement in the alleged forgery and manipulation of Customs records used to facilitate the removal of the container.
Customs said efforts were ongoing to locate the other individuals allegedly linked to the case while investigators continued to gather evidence.
The agency also told the court that the three suspects had made statements under caution, which it described as voluntary and confessional.
It argued that releasing the suspects at this stage could compromise the investigation, alleging that they might alert other suspects, frustrate further arrests or interfere with the recovery of relevant evidence.
Customs therefore asked the court to grant the 15-day remand period to enable investigators to complete their work and determine whether the suspects should be prosecuted.
After considering the submissions, Justice Ogazi granted the application and ordered that Mbonu, Agwu and Onuoha remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service for 15 days.
The case was adjourned until September 1, 2026, for a report on the progress of the investigation or the possible arraignment of the suspects.
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