A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Thursday remanded till September 1, a Nigerian, Isiaka Musa and two Guineans, Traore Djakouba (Yakubu) and Mohammed Berete, accused of attempted smuggling of elephant tusks and pangolin scales and claws.
Justice Tijjani Ringim made the order following the trio’s arraignment by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on a five-count charge of conspiracy, and attempt to export the items without lawful authority.
Prosecution counsel Mr Smart Akande identified the defendants as residents of No. 10, Ijeoma Odika Street, Atlantic View Estate, New Road, off Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Lagos.
He alleged that they were arrested on July 28, 2021, with 196 sacks of pangolin scales weighing 7137.40kg; one sack of pangolin claws weighing 4.60kg and 29 sacks of elephant tusk weighing 870.4kg, which they had prepared for exportation.
The NCS valued the items at N22.3 billion.
The court heard that the defendants allegedly committed the offences alongside two other Guineans, Muyribein Bereye and Sediki Berete, said to be on the run.
According to Akande, the offences contravened and we’re punishable under Section 64(1)(b) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, 2004.
The defendants, aided by an interpreter, Mr Kabah Abdulahi, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor applied for a trial date, while also praying the court to remand the trio in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) pending the determination of the charges against them.
But their counsel, Mr Olayinka Lawal opposed him, arguing that the court ought to go ahead and hear their bail application which he filed and served on the prosecution on July 18, when the defendants were first brought to court.
According to him, the bail application was unopposed by the prosecution.
Responding, the prosecutor admitted being served the bail processes but contended that it was not ripe for hearing, as the defendants had yet to be arraigned when he was served.
Akande prayed the court for time to file a counter to the application, “owing to the gravity of the offence and the nationality of the defendants.”
In a bench ruling, the judge upheld the prosecution’s argument, noting that it was within time to respond to the defendants’ applications.
Justice Ringim remanded the trio in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service and adjourned till September 1, to hear their bail applications.
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