The Federal Government, through the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, is set to arraign 10 individuals on charges of terrorism for their alleged involvement in the illegal importation of firearms and ammunition worth N4 billion. The arms were intercepted in June 2024 by the Nigerian Customs Service at the Onne Port in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to reports, the suspects will appear before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja today (Monday). The suspects, arrested in connection with the illegal shipment of 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition, will face charges of terrorism, illegal importation of prohibited firearms, and forgery, among others.
In June 2024, the Nigerian Customs Service conducted an operation that led to the discovery of a 40-foot container at Onne Port. The container, which originated from Turkey, was found to be carrying a large cache of arms and ammunition, concealed within items such as furniture, plumbing materials, doors, and leather bags. The duty-paid value of the seized goods was estimated at N4 billion.
The charge sheet, reveals the names of the 10 defendants: Ali Ofoma, Okechukwu Charles, Kingsley Chinasa, Oroghodo Maxwell, Akinkuade Segun, Augustine Elechi, Osumini Kennedy, Ajala Ojo, Faboro Oluwatimilehin, and Tolulope Ogundepo. These individuals are accused of conspiring with others who are still at large to smuggle the illegal firearms into Nigeria.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/463/2024, the charges against the defendants include conspiracy to import prohibited firearms, acts of terrorism, and forgery. The suspects allegedly altered the bill of lading for the shipment, changing it from “Ola Gold Maritime Services” to “Dan Autos Limited” in an attempt to cover their tracks. They also allegedly diverted the movement of the container to WAX Logistics Limited, instead of the West African Container Terminal.
The charge sheet noted, “The defendants committed an act of uttering a forged document with the intent that it may be used or acted upon as genuine,” which is a violation of Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The Federal Government is charging the defendants under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022. According to the charges, Ofoma, Charles, and others at large “knowingly and intentionally” transported prohibited weapons into Nigeria, an act deemed prejudicial to national security and in violation of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
The intercepted shipment was loaded aboard the Maersk Vigo Ship, with a bill of lading numbered 238921355, and was hidden inside a container (MAEU-9165396). The defendants are also accused of importing the firearms without the necessary licenses, a crime that violates Section 18 of the Firearms Act and is punishable under Section 27(a)(iii) of the same Act.
While 10 suspects have been apprehended, authorities continue to pursue other individuals involved in the illegal arms trade, who remain at large. The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Nigerian Customs Service have intensified their efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms and ensure those involved face the full extent of the law.
This high-profile case sheds light on the growing concern over the influx of illegal arms into Nigeria, fueling insecurity across the nation. The arraignment of these suspects marks a significant step in the Federal Government’s crackdown on terrorism and illegal arms smuggling, reinforcing its commitment to national security and the fight against crime.
