Court remands 5 men over alleged importation of prohibited fire arms

An FCT High Court, Apo, on Monday, ordered that five men be remanded in Prison for allegedly forgery and illegal importation of prohibited fire arms.

Vacation Judge, Justice Sylvester Oriji, ordered that Jude Ezirim, 36, Chijioke Ogbuezi, 47, Chidozie Okafor, 48, Eze Uchendu, 45 and Ozumba Uchenna, 45 be remanded in Kuje Prison after their arraignment.

The Inspector-General of Police, charged the accuse persons with three counts bordering on forgery and impersonation.

Justice Oriji, also ordered that the case be heard by Justice Mario Nasir on Sept. 6 for hearing.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Malik Taiwo, had told the court that the accused persons and one other still at large, forged the company name and logo belonging to one Mr. Great James, Director of Great James Oil and Gas Limited.

Taiwo said they did so for the purpose of shipping into Nigeria a container with prohibited Fire Arms on Sept. 22, 2017, without the consent of the complainant.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendants were arrested by officers of the Nigerian Custom Service at Tincan Island, Lagos State.

He alleged that the accused persons fraudulently presented themselves as shareholders and directors of Great James Oil & Gas Ltd., to enable them clear the said container of Fire Arms ship from Turkey to Nigeria.

According to him, the offence contravenes Sections 97, 363 and 179 of the Penal Code.

After the charges were read to Ezirim, Ogbuezi, Okafor, Uchendu, and Uchenna, they pleaded not guilty.

Taiwo, however, prayed for the remand of the defendants in prison and asked for a date to produce witnesses in court.