The court has spoken!

By Akin Kuponiyi

A chinese national, Zhu Jinxin, was today arraigned before a Federal High Court, Ikoyi on one- count charge of unlawful exportation.

Jinxin who was arraigned before Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari by the Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB), pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The one-count charge read: ” That you Zhu Jinxin of Akura Estate, off Adeniyi Jones street, Ikeja, Lagos on or about the November 16, 2015 at Tin-Can Port, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, brought several logs of wood in a container with number MOAU 0066913/9 for the purpose of exportation to China, contrary to export prohibition which is for the time being in force and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 64(1)(b) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap C45 of Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act”.

After the plea of the accused person was taken by the court, the Custom prosecutor, Ajakaye Iyiola prayed the court for a trial date. The defence counsel, Abdumalik Ibrahim informed the court of a pending bail application before it.

After listening to the submissions of both the prosecution and defence counsels, the trial judge, Justice Shagari admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N 10 million with two sureties, who must be civil servants.

Consequently, the court adjourned till October 4, 2016 for trial to commence

The author of this story Akin Kuponiyi can be reached at [email protected]