Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) has arraigned Four men before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on the alleged illegal importation of prohibited products.
The four men were arraigned before Justice Akintayo Aluko are: Fafiyebi Olalekan Mathew; Bello Bolaji Shakiru; Ikechukwu Iroha, and Balogun Success.
According to the Nigeria Customs Services, the men conspired among themselves and some other said to be at large, to commit the offences sometimes in 2018.
The defendants who are residents of 3, Church Street, Mushin; 7, Akinyemi Street, Surulere; 8, Abbey Que, Ifako, Gbagada, and 2, Onyeosi, Oluwalogbon, Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos State respectively, were alleged to have committed the offences alongside Emeka Obi, Samuel Ezechukwu Chukwuemeka, Ifeoma Idigwe, Lawrence Onukogu, Loritha Ikeh, Chidi (Surname Unknown), Chalia (Surname Unknown), all said to be at large.
Counsel for the prosecution, Michael Osong told the court that the defendants imported a 1X40FT container number: MRSU 3637299, containing 710 cartons of prohibited pharmaceuticals products, and and deceitfully cleared and transported same with a truck marked KZR 536 ZT.
He also told the court that all the defendants acts was made known when they were interception by Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service along Mile 2/Apapa Expressway on 5 November, 2018.
Osong further told court that the alleged acts of the defendants are contrary to and punishable under Sections 164(a); 47(1)(b) and 41(1)(C)of Customs and Excise Management Act, CAP C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Upon their not guilty plea, their lawyers who includes: S. Popoola and O. I. Obi, pleaded with the court to admit their clients to bail in the most liberal terms
The two lawyers told the court that they have filed bail applications and same have been served on the prosecutor.
The prosecutor admitted been served with the applications and told the court that he is not opposing same. But urged the court to award conditions that will ensure that wii enable the defendants to attend court till the determination of the charges.
Justice Aluko in his ruling on bail applications, admitted each of the defendants to bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety each.
Justice Aluko ordered that the surety must be owner of property or a clergy, who is resident Lagos State. Adding that both the defendants and their surety must submit their two passport photographs with the court’s Registrar.
The judge ordered that all the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till the perfection of the bail terms, while adjourned to October 10, for trial.
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